From the Front Porch – Episode 567: February 2026 New Release Rundown
Podcast: From the Front Porch
Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Annie Jones
Guests: Olivia (Operations Manager), Erin (Floor Manager)
Theme: A conversational rundown of the trio’s favorite and most anticipated book releases for February 2026, with a mix of literary fiction, thrillers, character-driven novels, and middle grade selections.
Episode Overview
In this lively episode, Annie, Olivia, and Erin reconvene after some time apart to share—and passionately discuss—their top picks among February’s standout new book releases. From dysfunctional families, mountain horrors, and post-apocalyptic hope, to stories of midlife, restaurants, sheep farming, and found kin, the team provides honest recaps, engaging banter, personal reading anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes insights as independent booksellers.
Featured Book Picks & Discussion Highlights
1. This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman
Out February 10th
Recommended by: Annie
- Format & Author Range: Annie marvels at Goodman’s range, recalling previous works (“Sam” – a coming-of-age, “Isola” – historical fiction). This new book is linked short stories about the Jewish Rubenstein family, matriarchs in their 70s and 80s.
- Premise: Begins with apple cake–induced drama at a deathbed; each story centers on a different family member. Annie compares it to “dysfunctional family literature” but notes the structure offers original glimpses rather than a sweeping narrative.
- Personal Connection: Annie shares it made her reflect on her family’s own lore and “the thing that causes, you know, family drama” (08:02).
- Notable Quote:
“It made me think about my own, you know, every family’s got their lore... the thing that causes, you know, family drama. I loved it. I thought it was excellent.” –Annie (08:28)
- Fun Fact: A New Yorker story previewed the Rubensteins; Annie notes, “You could read it and see if you kind of want to keep reading about the Rubenstein family.” (09:07)
2. Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra
Out February 10th
Recommended by: Olivia
- Genre: Thriller/Suspense
- Summary: Centers on Zach (12), recently motherless, trapped in an isolated snowy retreat with his verbally and possibly physically abusive father, Bram, and a group of potential investors. Zach must rely on survival skills his late mother taught him as natural dangers and something mysterious (and gruesome) in the woods threatens him.
- Atmosphere: Compared to TJ Newman’s high-octane thrillers but set on the ground, “in the snow... not in the air or the sea.” (14:21)
- Intensity: Olivia warns it’s edge-of-your-seat but with more breathing room than Sierra’s previous “Night Watching”—less constant terror.
- Notable Quote:
“You’re just kind of rooting for him the whole time, but also... like, just be careful, please, sir.” –Olivia (13:30)
3. Good People by Parmina Saabat
Out February 3rd
Recommended by: Erin
- Structure: Murder mystery told exclusively through the “testimonies” of neighbors, relatives, police, and more—in an oral-history style.
- Premise & Themes: An Afghan American refugee family at the heart of a criminal event in New York state. The family’s inner voices are never directly heard, raising questions about perspective, othering, and bias.
- Literary Merit: Erin calls this debut “incredible, impressed so amazing,” and praises its refusal to offer a black-and-white solution to its central crime. (15:20)
- Notable Quote:
“I think she uses that [structure] on purpose to show us that there’s always two sides to someone’s story. And especially because the story involves immigration, it involves culture and religion, which are things that are not as black and white as we’d like them to be.” –Erin (17:15)
- Audiobook Alert: Erin predicts it’ll be a knockout in audio.
4. So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder
Out February 17th
Recommended by: Annie
- Premise: Follows a tight-knit group of six college friends over two decades, but only during five significant parties (Halloween, New Year’s Eve, etc.).
- Vibe: Annie praises the structure (“could feel gimmicky, but it’s not”) and emotional resonance. She compares it to Emma Straub (“All Adults Here”) and Steven Rowley (“The Celebrants”).
- Themes: Friendship, time, how relationships evolve or fracture.
- Notable Moment:
“I loved this book. I loved the people. I miss them all. Even the...obnoxious friends in this friend group. Because when there’s six friends, somebody’s going to be obnoxious.” –Annie (20:42)
5. Birdie by N. West Moss
Middle Grade | Out February 17th
Recommended by: Olivia
- Story: Birdie and her younger brother Mouse, reeling from their mom’s cancer death, move from NYC to distant family in the country. Birdie’s guarded; Mouse adapts quickly, and their Uncle Clay arrives with animals in tow.
- Themes: Grief, found family, nature, children finding a place to belong.
- Comparison: Reminiscent of “The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.”
- Notable Quote:
“It’s very much a story of, like, found, but also literal, family. And it was so good. You just love Birdie so much and you want to protect her and you want things to go well for her.” –Olivia (25:12)
6. The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman
Out February 24th
_Recommended by: Erin & Annie*
- Setting: A full day at a family-owned fine dining restaurant in the Midwest; told from multiple restaurant workers’ perspectives.
- Plot Points: 22 ribeye steaks go missing, John Grisham scheduled as a VIP guest, and the owner launches an ad hoc investigation.
- Strengths: Deep character development, subtly interwoven plot points (“just life, nothing dramatic, just life”—a meta moment from the novel itself, 29:42).
- Notable Moments:
“She writes about things in a way that if you were to describe it to someone else, you would be like, well, that sounds boring, but it’s not boring at all.” –Erin (26:05) “I loved this book. Let me tell you, nothing infuriated me more than how the owner dealt with the stolen steaks.” –Annie (30:16)
7. More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen
Out February
Recommended by: Annie
- Story: Polly, a middle-aged woman part of a “book club” that’s more social than literary, navigates her friendship with Sarah, a surprising DNA test, and her bond with her brother.
- Themes: Midlife, female friendship, character study over plot.
- Comparisons: If you enjoy Ann Tyler or Katherine Newman—slow, insightful, character-driven fiction—this is for you.
- Notable Quote:
“I care deeply what happened to Polly over the course of this novel. I was very attached to her.” –Annie (35:26)
8. Postscript by Corey McCarthy
YA/Post-apocalyptic | Out February 17th
Recommended by: Olivia
- Premise: In a world ravaged by climate change and plague, 18-year-old West is one of humanity’s last survivors; his perspective brings hope and resilience to others. The novel is short, fast-paced, literary, and includes poetic chapters from the point of view of Death itself.
- Comparison: “If there were a literary fiction genre within young adult, this would be it.” (38:57)
- Notable Quote:
“Death is looking at these last people being like, I know at some point I’m going to take them. And I’m just so happy that they’ve kind of come together in this moment. It’s so good.” –Olivia (38:50)
9. A Good Animal by Sarah Moorer
Out February 24th
Recommended by: Erin
- Setting: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, 1995.
- Story: Everett Lint, a high school senior and sheep farmer, falls for new arrival Mary. The story explores their relationship, family dynamic, and a defining event (hinted at in Everett’s older narration), all rendered with realistic and nuanced characterization.
- Voice: Praised for its authentic teenage dialogue and rural realism. Compared to William Kent Krueger for rural/literary vibes and “We Burn Daylight” for quiet, affecting love story.
- Notable Quote:
“There was nothing special about it. It’s just that the writing is so good that it felt so realistic.” –Erin (43:19)
Standout Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the joys and frustrations of book selling:
- “We are a business enterprise. We love talking to you, but also you know, we’re trying to run a store back here.” –Annie (03:04)
- On genre diversity & family drama:
- “Every family’s got their lore... the thing that causes, you know, family drama.” –Annie (08:28)
- On friendship in fiction and life:
- “There’s nothing like college friends. And I think it’s fascinating... how you can stay even though you are vastly different the older you get and the different decisions you start to make.” –Annie (21:26)
- On character-driven writing:
- “She writes about things in a way that if you were to describe it to someone else, you would be like, well, that sounds boring, but it’s not boring at all.” –Erin (26:05)
- On the enduring midlife reading gap:
- “We get a lot of books about people in their 20s because a lot is happening in our 20s. But what happens after your 20s are over and what does life look like?” –Annie (34:08)
Key Timestamps
- 02:36 – Olivia and Erin join; discussion of browsing podcast selections and episode discounts.
- 05:07 – Annie introduces her first pick, This Is Not About Us.
- 10:25 – Baking and apple cake digression.
- 10:52 – Olivia’s thriller selection, Warning Signs.
- 15:05 – Erin’s pick, Good People (structure, cultural themes).
- 18:29 – Annie’s review of So Old, So Young (friend group over decades).
- 22:09 – Olivia’s middle grade pick, Birdie.
- 25:42 – Erin and Annie rave about The Reservation.
- 33:38 – Annie describes More Than Enough (midlife, friendships).
- 35:50 – Olivia’s post-apocalyptic YA choice, Postscript.
- 40:03 – Erin discusses A Good Animal, sheep farming, and rural realism.
- 44:51 – Annie considers reading A Good Animal.
- 45:44 – Closing “what are you reading/listening to” round.
Listener Takeaway
Whether you're a fan of sharp character studies, propulsive thrillers, originals in format, or are just seeking relatable stories for a particular age, the Bookshelf team brings both expertise and genuine readerly enthusiasm to February’s releases. The episode is perfect for building your TBR pile—and for sharing in that cozy, “bookstore staff recommendations” feeling.
For all books discussed, preorders and purchases can be made via bookshelfthomasville.com using the code NEW RELEASE PLEASE for 10% off.