From the Front Porch – Episode 569: Off the Shelf with Annie and Ashley: Winter
February 19, 2026
Host: Annie Jones (A), Guest: Ashley Sherlock (B)

Episode Overview

In this cozy winter edition of the "Off the Shelf" series, Annie Jones, owner of The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA, and her cousin/former staffer, Ashley Sherlock, chat about embracing (or surviving) winter. The conversation moves fluidly across reading, watching, listening, and buying—blending book recommendations, TV picks, podcasts, music, and seasonal comfort strategies, all with the duo's signature Southern warmth and wit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Kids Table Traditions & Winter Mindset (02:24–05:45)

• Annie and Ashley reminisce about "the kids table" at family gatherings, wondering if it's a fading tradition (“we’re approaching our 40s and we still have a kids table”—A, 02:53).
• They agree preparation is key for tolerating/liking winter (“if you have appropriate clothing, it is a lot more manageable and pleasant”—B, 03:25).
• Weather woes: Annie’s girls’ trip to Nashville is canceled due to a snow/ice storm, and they discuss how the South freezes at the mention of winter weather.

Reading: Winter Book Recommendations

Annie’s Picks (06:25–10:00)

1. Kin by Tayari Jones (releases Feb 24)
   • Historical fiction, small-town friendships, set on the cusp of the Civil Rights movement. Annie loves the nuanced history and “gorgeous writing.”
   • “It’s just a book about two friends. The writing is excellent...the way she’s maybe weaving in some historical moments quietly…”—A, 07:45
2. The Reservation by Rebecca Kaufman (also Feb 24)
   • Takes place in a restaurant over one day, told from multiple staff POVs. Plot centerpiece: 22 missing ribeye steaks (“the owner is on a hunt, desperate to figure out because that's a lot of money”—A, 08:56).
   • “It’s almost like a bottle episode of TV...” Annie gives it 5 stars and recommends it for fans of character studies.

Ashley’s Reads (10:00–11:18)

1. The Secret Place by Tana French (first French for Ashley)
   • “Those girls…so good...I figured out the mystery pretty early but was still held by the story.”—B, 10:10
   • Annie urges her to try The Likeness next.
2. Lit by Mary Karr (memoir, gifted by Hunter)
   • Drawn to Karr’s “spiritual, higher power search element.”
   • Annie notes Hunter has long recommended this one due to its religion themes.

Watching: TV and Streaming

Annie’s Watchlist

• His and Hers (Netflix) (11:21–13:47)

  • Based on an Alice Feeney book. Annie is “not sure I’m recommending it.” She found it soapy, “Did AI write this show?”—quoting her friend Jennifer (12:11).
  • Tessa Thompson stars in a convoluted murder mystery in Dahlonega, GA.
  • Good for “something crappy to watch while you’re doing a puzzle...but every so often you look up and go, ‘what just happened?’” (13:28)

• Ponies (Peacock) (23:43–24:08)

  • Set in 1970s Moscow; two women track down what happened to their CIA husbands (“just the right amount of campy”).
  • Annie is genuinely invested: “Ponies I’m invested in, which is perfect for, like, in the evenings when Jordan’s not home yet…”—A, 23:50

• Olympics & Super Bowl (17:24–18:24)

  • Annie is an avid Winter Olympics fan (“Give me the figure skating. Give me the luge. Really everything but that broom sport I can’t remember the name of right now.”—A, 17:48).
  • Both follow the Super Bowl more closely this year due to their fantasy football league.

Ashley’s Watchlist

• Heated Rivalry (Paramount+) (13:47–16:36)

  • A heavy-romance, ice hockey series with “too many bare rear ends” for Annie (“I started it and stopped already…”—A, 13:54).
  • Ashley thinks “it’s a very, very sweet story” despite the explicit content, and promises to send Annie timestamps to skip those scenes.
  • “I finished it thinking even less about ice hockey than I was.”—B, 14:33
  • “It’s made for the female gaze.”—B, 16:58

• Buddhist Monks Walk for Peace (20:12–21:43)

  • Ashley is moved by following a group of monks walking from Texas to DC, sharing peace messages and handing out flowers.
  • “It was just so nice...all these people handing each other flowers...the reverence...just completely silent, which is kind of amazing.”—B, 20:46

Listening: Podcasts & Music

Podcasts

• Beth’s Dead (23:38–26:50)

  • True crime series. Both recommend the first episodes but found the last two unnecessary.
    • “I don’t think I needed the last two episodes.”—B, 23:52
    • “For the first time in a long time, I felt like invested in a podcast series. Almost like Serial.”—A, 25:56
  • Mild debate on “who did it,” mirroring the host’s conclusion.

• What We Spend (31:53–34:23)

  • Explores people’s relationships with money, with audio diaries of their spending habits.
  • “It scratches that nosy itch that I have to know what people are making.”—B, 31:58
  • Annie relates, mentioning dreams of living in New York for a few weeks and wrestling with scarcity mindset.

• This Story Might Save Your Life (Audiobook, recommended by Annie, 29:14–30:14):

  • Performed like a podcast within the audiobook; friends Joy and Benny host a survival tips podcast woven into the story.
  • “To me, the only way to consume this book is in audiobook format. It’s so well done.”—A, 30:10

Music

• Heaven Passing Through by Turnpike Troubadours (35:34–35:46)
  • “Fingerpicking guitar and a catchy tune.”—B
• Queen of the Season by Hazlett
  • “A little bit moodier...added to my wistful winter playlist, so it's perfect for the season.”—B, 35:46
• Harry Styles & Noah Kahan (36:04–36:41)
  • Ashley: “I think I like Noah Kahan’s music better than I like Harry Styles music. But I like looking at Harry Styles more…”
  • Annie is “a 10 about Noah Kahan.”

Buying: Winter Self-Care & Daily Comforts

Annie

• Nuuly Clothing Rental (37:57–38:19)
  • Renting coats and seasonal apparel through Nuuly.
  • “Super helpful during maternity leave, postpartum, and for not wanting to buy things you only need briefly.”

Ashley

• Lush Hand Care (38:20–39:06)

  • Sweet wild orange hand balm for mornings, lavender solid bar for evening moisturizing.
  • “Keeps skin moisturized and it smells like citrus...smells so good.”—B

• Homemade Ginger-Lemon-Honey Tea (39:28–40:27)

  • “If you just want to feel like you’re doing something homey, this is great.”—B
  • Annie tried a similar homemade juice to boost immunity.

• Dense Bean Salad (41:44–42:27)

  • Viral TikTok recipe with beans, chickpeas, vegetables, mozzarella pearls: “The longer it sits in the fridge, the better it tastes… didn’t need an afternoon snack.”

• Sweet Potato with Tzatziki & Roasted Chickpeas (42:34–43:06)

  • “Keeps me very full. Delicious. Oh, and feta cheese goes in there, too.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We still have a kids table at our family gatherings. We’re all approaching our 40s and we still have a kids table.” —Annie, 02:53
• “If you have the appropriate clothing, it is a lot more manageable and pleasant.” —Ashley, 03:26
• “I finished it thinking even less about ice hockey than I was.” —Ashley on Heated Rivalry, 14:33
• “For the first time in a long time, I felt like invested in a podcast series. Almost like Serial.” —Annie, 25:56
• “It scratches that nosy itch that I have to know what people are making.” —Ashley on What We Spend, 31:58
• “I think I like Noah Kahan’s music better than I like Harry Styles music. But I like looking at Harry Styles more…” —Ashley, 36:41

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:24 – The Kids Table & Generational Traditions
• 03:20 – Ashley’s evolving relationship with winter
• 06:25 – Annie’s winter reading recommendations
• 10:00 – Ashley on Tana French & Mary Karr
• 11:21 – His and Hers (Netflix) TV talk
• 13:47 – Heated Rivalry (Paramount+) review
• 17:24 – Olympics & Super Bowl excitement
• 20:12 – Buddhist monks’ Walk for Peace
• 23:38 – Podcasts: Beth’s Dead & the podcast boom
• 29:14 – Annie recommends an audiobook/podcast hybrid
• 31:53 – What We Spend: talking money
• 35:34 – Music recommendations
• 37:57 – Clothing (Nuuly) rental for seasonal comfort
• 38:20 – Ashley’s hand care & culinary routines

Tone and Takeaways

The episode is filled with the cousins' easy rapport, gentle teasing, and a blend of practical recommendations and personal anecdotes. Winter is framed as challenging but also full of cozy opportunities—books, comfort foods, self-care, and low-stakes TV. Both bring humor and realness to their routines, offering listeners ideas to make winter brighter and more bearable.

Bottom Line:
If you want thoughtful book recommendations, cozy hacks for winter, TV and podcast picks to help you through a snow day (with or without power!), and real-talk about money, self-care, and adulting, this winter Off the Shelf is your ideal listen.