Podcast Summary: From the Front Porch

Episode 572 – What Would Susie Read?
Release Date: March 12, 2026
Host: Annie Jones
Guest: Suzy (Annie’s mom)

Episode Overview

This episode, titled "What Would Susie Read?", brings Annie Jones and her mom, Suzy, together for a book lovers’ deep dive. With a special focus on “books for readers with PG-13 tastes” and “redemptive storylines,” Suzy returns after a long hiatus to share her recent reads, favorite book club picks, and recommendations for fellow thoughtful, comfort-seeking readers. The episode brims with warm mother-daughter banter, reflections on family and reading styles, and plenty of bookish enthusiasm. Annie and Suzy’s recommendations are particularly geared toward those who value stories with less graphic content and an uplifting or redemptive arc.

Key Discussion Points & Book Recommendations

1. Defining “Suzy Books” (01:52–03:18)

• Annie and Suzy joke about Suzy’s PG-13 book preference, clarifying:
  • Not strictly "PG" or "books for sensitive readers" (too limiting), but stories with “redemptive” arcs and lower levels of violence, sex, and graphic content.
  • Suzy: “Books with redemptive storylines, books for those with PG-13 tastes who maybe are paying attention to, I don’t know, violence, gore, language, sex, etc.” (02:46)

2. Book-By-Book Discussions

a. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (03:39–05:45)

• A deeply felt, complex family drama described as “dark and gritty,” compared loosely to Little Women and praised for its emotional resonance.
• Annie: “I don’t necessarily remember character names or, like, I don’t know the scandal you’re talking about, but I remember how that book made me feel.” (04:39)
• Suzy notes it’s more "Annie’s style" (dysfunctional families) than her usual pick.

b. The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff (05:45–07:38)

• Sequel to 84, Charing Cross Road, recounting Hanff’s London adventures. Suzy loves Hanff’s ability to transport readers through evocative writing and calls it “rereadable comfort.”
• Annie: “They are so short that you kind of are sad when they’re over.” (06:59)
• Strong recommendation for fans of epistolary nonfiction and literary travel.

c. The Chancellor’s Mansion by Kristin Hannah (07:43–11:12)

• Memoir about renovating a historic home with connections to the Underground Railroad. Suzy laments the misleading, “reality show”-esque cover, but highly recommends the book for its blend of family, history, and mystery.
• Suzy: “It’s a great story...especially if you like HGTV and you like watching people because you’re going through her renovations with her.” (09:34)
• Annie and Suzy discuss the impact of covers on book choices and marketing.

d. A Change of Habit (11:14–11:52)

• Both Annie and Suzy found this memoir only “fine”—not as revelatory about convent life as they’d hoped.

e. Awake by Jen Hatmaker (12:00–14:40)

• Memoir chronicling Hatmaker’s divorce and journey through evangelical “purity culture.”
• Suzy lauds Jen’s “painstakingly nice” and “intentional” writing.
• Memorable segment: “She really made it...the book didn’t feel, like, voyeuristic or gossipy... It’s really more her investigating herself.” (13:33–13:48)
• The audiobook, with segments narrated by Jen’s family, is highly praised for its emotional resonance.

f. A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus (15:03–18:46)

• Middle-grade novel set during WWII: three orphans seeking a new family during the London evacuations, with a key role for a kind librarian.
• Suzy: “It’s awesome and it’s great. It’s a happy ending.” (17:45)
• Suzy thanks author Emily/Emilia Kelly for the recommendation, calling it “a great book for anyone who loves historical stories.”

g. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles (18:48–20:34)

• WWII-set novel centered on the American Library in Paris and the efforts to save books from Nazi destruction.
• Suzy: “It was one of my favorite books...courageous people to keep writing alive.” (20:23)

h. The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan (20:57–21:56)

• British “feel-good” romance about a woman starting a bookstore. Praised for its clean language, charming setting, and brisk pacing.

i. The Women of Platform 2 (22:09–24:29)

• Story of 20th-century women’s friendship and resilience set in Dublin. Themes of abusive marriage, found family, and women supporting each other.
• Suzy: “Inside wins in the end. So redemptive.” (24:01–24:05)

j. Family of Spies by Jody Ewing (24:37–27:27)

• True story: a woman uncovers her family’s ties to Nazi Germany and espionage—previously hidden from her. Suzy is riveted.
• Suzy: “To tell the story is brave because...people still have real strong feelings.” (27:02)

k. Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg (27:48–29:46)

• Short story collection from the beloved Southern author, ideal for “pick up and put down” reading sessions.
• The hosts discuss the trend of “connected short story collections” and shifting reader attention spans.

l. The Force of a Story (A Port William novel) by Wendell Berry (29:47–32:22)

• Suzy extols Berry’s patient, environmental, and family-centered writing: “If you want to slow down, read Wendell Berry.”
• Discusses need to “get into the flow” of Berry’s prose and the value of reflection on rural life.

m. Mitford Books (esp. My Beloved) by Jan Karon (33:20–36:13)

• Suzy’s long-standing favorite series—she recounts collecting all in hardback and being “taught to love reading” by Karon’s work.
• The latest (My Beloved) is described as heartwarming, family-focused, and brimming with small-town charm.

n. Theo of Golden by Alan Levi (36:21–40:34)

• Southern-set indie (now traditionally published) novel about a mysterious newcomer who gifts portraits to the people of Golden, Georgia, subtly changing the community.
• “It’s tragic. It’s great. It’s tragic. And then at the end, the mystery is solved.” (37:59)
• Highly recommended for fans of The Correspondent and those who enjoy slow, redemptive, Southern fiction.

o. The Sisters of Book Row by Rachael Linden (41:06–44:41)

• March shelf subscription pick! Historical fiction about three sisters running a Manhattan bookshop in 1915, with threads of rare book restoration, activism, and mystery.
• Touches on book banning and the Comstock Laws; strong sense of setting and women’s issues.
• Note: “Those books look exactly the same”—amusing confusion with similar covers. (41:27–41:46)

p. 100 Rules for Living to 100 by Dick Van Dyke (44:45–46:23)

• Optimistic, anecdotal collection by entertainer Dick Van Dyke.
• Suzy: “If you want to...he is amazing...and he’s just such an optimist.” (45:05)
• Noted for its warmth and the life lessons from a long career.

q. More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen (46:31–49:37)

• Deeply moving novel about friendship, book clubs, IVF, and family secrets revealed through an ancestry kit.
• Suzy is effusive: “Oh my word...I will buy that book in hardback... I liked it so much.” (47:50–49:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “People won’t remember what you said or what you did, but how you made them feel. That’s what I feel about books.” – Annie (04:39)
• “You can reread...Oh gosh, life is so heavy. I want to go back and read this.” – Suzy, on epistolary comfort reads (07:23)
• “She was painstakingly nice in this book...and I really respect her for that.” – Suzy on Jen Hatmaker’s Awake (12:09–12:24)
• “If you want to slow down, read Wendell Berry… That’s why I love him.” – Suzy (29:57)
• “She’s the one who taught me to sit and love to read.” – Suzy, about Jan Karon (34:39)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:52 – Suzy Re-Introduction & Book Tastes
• 03:39 – Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
• 05:45 – The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff
• 07:43 – The Chancellor’s Mansion
• 12:00 – Awake by Jen Hatmaker
• 15:03 – A Place to Hang the Moon
• 18:48 – The Paris Library
• 20:57 – The Bookshop on the Corner
• 22:09 – The Women of Platform 2
• 24:37 – Family of Spies
• 27:48 – Something to Look Forward To by Fannie Flagg
• 29:47 – Wendell Berry Discussion
• 33:20 – The Mitford Series by Jan Karon
• 36:21 – Theo of Golden
• 41:06 – Sisters of Book Row
• 44:45 – 100 Rules for Living to 100 by Dick Van Dyke
• 46:31 – More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen

Tone & Takeaways

Throughout, the episode maintains its signature warmth, humor, and Southern charm, with Annie and Suzy's genuine affection and good-natured joking keeping listeners engaged. The recommendations offer a mix of historical, literary, and comfort reads—all grounded in kindness, redemption, and an aversion to gratuitous graphic content.

For More “Suzy Reads”

• Visit the Bookshelf Thomasville website to browse all Suzy’s picks.
• Use code shopmomselects for 10% off Suzy’s recommendations (51:22)
• Join the rotating Shelf Subscription to get her favorites mailed to you.

This episode is essential listening for anyone seeking substantive but comforting reads, book talk with heart, and inspiration for the next pick on a PG-13 TBR list.