Episode 447 || What Would Susie Read?
This week on From the Front Porch, Annie is chatting with her mom, Susie, about books for readers with PG-13 tastes.
To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, visit our website (type “Episode 447” into the search bar and tap enter to easily find the books mentioned in this episode):
Thrush Green by Miss Read
Mrs. Porter Calling by AJ Pearce
What If It’s Wonderful by Nicole Zasowski
Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce
Yours Cheerfully by AJ Pearce
The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok
Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey
How to Pray by C.S. Lewis
Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
Thank you to this week’s sponsor, Visit Thomasville. Fall is a wonderful time to see Thomasville, Georgia! If it’s time to hit the road for a quick getaway, we’re exactly what you’re looking for! You can rekindle your spark, explore historical sites, indulge in dining out, shop at amazing independent stores, and finally relax and unwind. There’s no better getaway than Thomasville! Whether you live close by or are passing through, we hope you'll visit beautiful Thomasville, Georgia – it’s worth the trip! Plan your visit at ThomasvilleGa.com.
From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram at @bookshelftville, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.
A full transcript of today’s episode can be found below.
Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.
This week, Annie is reading My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine. Susie is reading Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey.
If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch.
We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week.
Our Executive Producers are...Ashley Ferrell, Cammy Tidwell, Chanta Combs, Chantalle C, Kate O’Connell, Kristin May, Laurie Johnson, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Stacy Laue, Stephanie Dean, Susan Hulings, and Wendi Jenkins.
Transcript:
[squeaky porch swing] Welcome to From the Front Porch, a conversational podcast about books, small business, and life in the South. [music plays out]
“Find out what you’re good at, Miss Lake, and then get even better. That’s the key.” ― A.J. Pearce, Dear Mrs. Bird
[as music fades out] I’m Annie Jones, owner of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in beautiful downtown Thomasville, Georgia, and this week, I’m back talking to my mom about books for readers with PG-13 tastes. Before we get started, a thank you to everyone who’s been leaving reviews for From the Front Porch. iTunes reviews and ratings are how new listeners can best find out about From the Front Porch and — as a result — find out about our indie bookstore, too. Here’s a recent review from Karen:
love your podcast I am so glad i found your podcast my favorite is when mom/susie makes a visit i am recently retired so i am now able to read more and I love your recommendations.
Thank you so much, Karen! If you haven’t left a review, all you have to do is open up the Podcast App on your phone, look for From the Front Porch, scroll down until you see ‘Write a Review’ and tell us what you think. Your reviews help us spread the word about not only our podcast, but about our small brick-and-mortar business, too.
Annie Jones [00:01:33] Hi, Mom.
Susie [00:01:34] Hi, Annie Sue.
Annie Jones [00:01:35] Welcome back.
Susie [00:01:36] Happy to be here. Hi, Karen.
Annie Jones [00:01:39] Okay, well, we didn't last speak in July. We last spoke yesterday.
Susie [00:01:46] That would be terrible.
Annie Jones [00:01:48] But we did last record a podcast in July where you kind of went through some of the summer books you had been reading. Now we are in fall. We're really wrapping up the year.
Susie [00:01:57] Yeah.
Annie Jones [00:01:58] And so we wanted to touch base and talk about what you've been reading lately. People love these episodes.
Susie [00:02:04] I love doing them with you.
Annie Jones [00:02:05] So let me just preface. If you're a new listener, my mom, Susie, comes on From the Front Porch every quarter, I believe is how often we're doing these episodes, and she gives us a rundown of the books she loves reading or has most recently read. And most of those books fall into what we kind of term the PG/PG 13 category. Books that are redemptive in their storytelling. Mom is always quick to say it's not necessarily for sensitive readers.
Susie [00:02:38] Right.
Annie Jones [00:02:39] But these books typically do end happily or have a redemptive throughline.
Susie [00:02:44] And it's not a majority of sex, violence, and four letter words.
Annie Jones [00:02:50] That's right. So if that is the kind of reader you are, then these episodes will be great for you. And if you're like me and you just love all the four letter words-- I'm just kidding-- you can listen to other episode. I'm just teasing. Okay. So, mom, what is a book that you'd like to start with?
Susie [00:03:10] Well, I'm going to start with a really old book. It was written in 1959.
Annie Jones [00:03:16] Oh, wow.
Susie [00:03:16] You know I've said this more than once this year. I have really been drawn into books that sort of take me away from the news and the world and everything that's going on. And I don't know, I came across this book somehow and it was had a little blurb from Jan Karon and you know she's my fave. The Mitford series. Well, this was a delight.
Annie Jones [00:03:40] Did a podcast listener recommend this to you?
Susie [00:03:43] You know what? I don't remember.
Annie Jones [00:03:45] I don't know why it sounds familiar to me.
Susie [00:03:46] But cute cover, which I'm always all about.
Annie Jones [00:03:49] It's called-- wait, tell them what it's called.
Susie [00:03:51] Thrush Green by Miss Read. Now there's a whole series. This is the first in the series in the Thrush Green series.
Annie Jones [00:04:00] Okay.
Susie [00:04:01] She has a whole series in the Fair Acres series.
Annie Jones [00:04:03] I actually wonder. I think I might have read the book Village School, which is the Fair Acres series.
Susie [00:04:09] I actually will probably get you to order me a few more of these because they're so delightful. It was the most delightful little read because it's based on a long time ago. I mean, it was written in 1959. It's just about this little village. And in this particular book, it was about an older doctor and a newer doctor coming into the village. And then all about the traveling circus. I think it was a circus that comes every year and really builds up the whole village. It brings in a lot of people. And it was just a story-- so there was a storyline about some of the circus people. And it was a storyline, of course, about the new doctor coming to town and the older doctor that has-- everybody knows everybody. And it's it builds such a picture in your mind. I really love British things.
Annie Jones [00:05:07] Well, I was going to say this sounds to me a little bit is if you are a fan of is it All Creatures Great and Small on PBS?
Susie [00:05:17] Yes. Which I totally can't wait for the next series to come out. Yes.
Annie Jones [00:05:21] So maybe this would be a book for you.
Susie [00:05:22] It might, yes. If you're looking for escapism, it's not like going to Mayberry or anything like that, but it's the picture she paints of her village. You would want to go live there with the thatched roofs and the gates and just the flour, everything about it.
Annie Jones [00:05:41] And it's a short little book.
Susie [00:05:43] It's short.
Annie Jones [00:05:44] Good for fall.
Susie [00:05:45] Yes, very good. And I actually think I am going to maybe get another one in this--
Annie Jones [00:05:51] That's so fun.
Susie [00:05:52] Maybe I'll do something out of the-- maybe I'll go through your old books at home and see if I find village school.
Annie Jones [00:05:58] Maybe so.
Susie [00:05:59] Well, I'd rather not say this particular time. I thought you'd think it was dumb, and I just saw it and I just hit order.
Annie Jones [00:06:07] We do not judge people at The Bookshelf. You can order whatever you want from us. We do not judge. Well, it doesn't look dumb. It really looks charming.
Susie [00:06:15] It really was charming, so I loved it.
Annie Jones [00:06:18] You know what I wish you would read? Did you ever read 84 Charing Cross Road? Did I make you read that?
Susie [00:06:24] Oh, yes. That was good.
Annie Jones [00:06:26] Yeah.
Susie [00:06:27] And I just love watching British TV. Hello, Britbox. I don't know. There's just something about the villages and the description.
Annie Jones [00:06:38] I agree.
Susie [00:06:39] It's delightful.
Annie Jones [00:06:40] Okay, well, that sounded like a fun book.
Susie [00:06:42] It really was. And then I had to choose a Shelf Subscription for September, and I just want to say this. It's been hard this year. I think it's been hard this year to find-- at least on my turn. Now, Nancy might feel the same way on her turn.
Annie Jones [00:06:57] I do think, Nancy...
Susie [00:06:58] It's just been a little bit harder. Sad for me, but then happy. I wasn't thrilled about what I picked. And then it turned out that I loved it. It was called Mrs. Porter Calling by AJ Pearce.
Annie Jones [00:07:12] Yeah. So let's tell first of all, Mom and Nancy share a Shelf Subscription. That's right. So there's an episode from maybe just a month ago. Time is weird. But Erin and I recorded an episode about Shelf Subscriptions and everybody who picks a Shelf Subscription got to record a little voice memo about their selection. And so you can go back and listen to that episode. We'll link to it in the show notes. But Mom and Nancy are responsible for filling this not necessarily void, but filling a need for readers who prefer, like mom said, not as much sex, language, violence, etc. But that is a hard criteria. I try to select books for you and Nancy from catalogs and give you guys the ARCs, but it can be hard to find these.
Susie [00:08:00] It can be really hard because I also don't want cheesy. I really want something with substance. And I'm not afraid of books that have a little of those things if it's a really good book.
Annie Jones [00:08:11] And Nancy is really not either. I wish I could remember the name of the book Nancy picked earlier. It was one of her summer titles, but she loved this book. But she was nervous about it because she said, Annie, there is all kinds of-- oh, I don't remember even. But she just said there's all kinds of content that she felt like wasn't necessarily PG, but she felt like in the book it was handled really well.
Susie [00:08:31] Exactly.
Annie Jones [00:08:32] Anyway, so it is a fine line to try to fill a need for readers.
Susie [00:08:37] That's right.
Annie Jones [00:08:38] But also, like you said, not find a book that's just without substance.
Susie [00:08:42] Exactly. And I think Nancy and I would both say together, we try so hard.
Annie Jones [00:08:47] Yes, you do.
Susie [00:08:47] We really do try so hard to think about others, everybody that's choosing our selections.
Annie Jones [00:08:55] Yeah.
Susie [00:08:55] So about Mrs. Porter Calling.
Annie Jones [00:08:58] Yes.
Susie [00:08:58] Interesting about this book, because when I looked it up and began it, I thought, oh, it is the third book in a series. And I went, well, I can't do that. And then I read about it. They each stand alone, and I'm happy to say they really do.
Annie Jones [00:09:14] Okay. Because now, spoiler, she's read them all.
Susie [00:09:17] Yes. I wound up loving this book so much because I also tend to be drawn to World War Two. Just like this Thrush Green, A Long Time Ago. Simpler times, but complicated times but just different.
Annie Jones [00:09:37] Yes. Different. Still complicated. I remember the book you read last year, Tobacco Wives. There's still stuff going on in historical fiction.
Susie [00:09:44] Exactly. So I fell in love with this book so much. It's about Emmy a little journalist, Emmy Lake. and it's really covering her and all of her friends, Bundy...
Annie Jones [00:09:55] oh, great names.
Susie [00:09:56] I just love, again, British. This is another book set in Britain during World War Two. And so I read this book and fell in love with it. And I'm like, okay, this was my September pick. Were they all really stand alone? I'm going to go backwards. So I had the store order me the first two.
Annie Jones [00:10:15] Okay.
Susie [00:10:16] So now it's so funny because in my stack of books, three of these are from this series. But I love them so much. And I wrote in my little card, my little blurb in September, that you don't have to go back. You don't have to go backwards and read the other two. But if you love the story as much as I did and you want to, you're going to totally love the beginning story the middle story and now this, which led me to a question I wanted to ask you. Because I already know miss speed reader, who I couldn't read Little Women fast enough to keep up with you. So I just read Little Women this past year because you flew past me as a child. But, anyway, do you slow down when you have a really good book you're enjoying?
Annie Jones [00:11:04] That's a good question. Okay. I have two answers. If it is a suspense book, like a mystery thriller or if it is a romcom, no. I typically just fly through it. And just because I am hooked and I don't want to put it down. I call those one sit reads. A lot of people do like books where I just am so enthralled that I can't put it down. But recently I just read-- and I'm sure I'll talk about it on an upcoming episode. But I just finished a book called Empire Falls, which is a Pulitzer Prize winner from a few years ago, and it took me a full week to read it, not because I was not compelled, but because it was a little bit slower paced. The writing was outstanding and I just kind of wanted to hang out with these people. And it was set in a small town in Maine in the fall. And so I just kind of wanted to take my time with it. So I think if a book is quieter and doesn't have a huge plot element that makes you want to fly through it, then I do like to take my time because one of our favorite customers, Suzanne, one time said she hated to say goodbye to these characters and I totally understand that.
Susie [00:12:18] And I was that way about movies. I would leave the theater and I would just think about that movie for days and days. We went to see Chicago the other night. I'm still thinking about it and still have all those songs hooked in my head.
Annie Jones [00:12:32] So Chicago, the band. That is what made me laugh the most. The number of people who thought-- Hunters thought I had taken you to Chicago, the city.
Susie [00:12:40] Well, how cheerful of them.
Annie Jones [00:12:41] Which I died laughing at. Mom doesn't get on planes. And so that made me laugh. And then a bunch of other people thought you and I had gone to see Chicago the musical.
Susie [00:12:52] Well, that would have also been delightful.
Annie Jones [00:12:54] Would have been fun, but different vibes. No, we went to see Chicago the band.
Susie [00:12:57] We went back to the seventies, baby.
Annie Jones [00:12:59] Yeah, it was very fun.
Susie [00:13:01] And it was very fun. So this is about a journalist, Emmy Lake, writing for a little magazine for women? And in this particular book, the owner has passed up the magazine, and his niece, Mrs. Porter, has come in, and she is taking over and turning it upside down.
Annie Jones [00:13:22] Okay, so a new boss, new rules.
Susie [00:13:25] There's a new lady in town, and she wants to turn it more into this fashion. And this is still during the war.
Annie Jones [00:13:32] I see.
Susie [00:13:33] And not everybody can have what she has. And so everyone's trying to save the magazine because she's actually destroying the magazine.
Annie Jones [00:13:41] I got you. Okay. Well, that sounds kind of good.
Susie [00:13:43] It was really good. And that's the way I loved these characters so much that made me want to go back and buy the other two books.
Annie Jones [00:13:53] So then you could read as fast as you want.
Susie [00:13:54] Yes.
Annie Jones [00:13:55] Because you still had more.
Susie [00:13:56] That's right.
Annie Jones [00:13:57] Okay. So did you immediately dive in or did you read something else in between?
Susie [00:14:02] Oh, no. I had to read something else in between while I waited on my books to arrive. And PS, sometimes I have to read fast on my Shelf Subscription book. So I make sure that I really actually like the book, because sometimes I've been very far in and went, oops, nope.
Annie Jones [00:14:18] That's so funny you say that. I just had an Instagram live on my book account and we were talking about I think December is one of the hardest months to pick a Shelf Subscription for. And one of our subscribers said something about just-- she was teasing, but she was like, don't send a book that's just fine or something like that. And I said, "Oh, don't you worry. I have never sent out a book that I thought, this is fine." Because really Shelf Subscriptions, we earnestly are trying to fit that goal of my favorite book of the month. Now, it also has to fit the criteria of when it releases or whatever.
Susie [00:14:53] That's right.
Annie Jones [00:14:53] But I'm like you. I have gotten through a book before that I just knew was going to be a Shelf Subscription and then thought, no, I didn't like that.
Susie [00:15:01] Yeah. And I think that's for Nancy, and I think that is really hard. That happened to me recently. Sometimes you don't know and then you're so into it, you're like, nope, I got to finish this. I want to know. And you hope that your readers feel the same way. Okay, so my interim book was What If It's Wonderful by Nicole Zasowski.
Annie Jones [00:15:22] Yes, Zasowski. That's right.
Susie [00:15:25] It was also very good that you.
Annie Jones [00:15:27] This is my book.
Susie [00:15:28] Yes, it is your book. And I also highlighted my own things as you did. You tore your pages, and I highlighted with all my different little pens from the bookstore. So I can't say that it was really anything super new for me because you know how I love these kind of books.
Annie Jones [00:15:43] Yes, you're a big self help.
Susie [00:15:45] I am. And so I just thought it was wonderful. Did you see what I did there? And because it was just a reminder, finding joy-- and I'm so serious. This year, it has been clawing for it sometimes.
Annie Jones [00:16:01] Yes.
Susie [00:16:01] It really has been. We've had a lot of ups and downs.
Annie Jones [00:16:04] Yes.
Susie [00:16:05] But if you're looking, you can always change your outlook. What if it could be something wonderful?
Annie Jones [00:16:12] Well, and I think all of us endured some serious upheaval over the last few years. And so I do find myself almost preparing for the worst. And I don't want to say that's part of my personality, but I do wonder if being prepared is really important to me. And so making sure that I'm prepared for the worst case scenario or whatever. But I do like her. Even just the title is such a mindset adjustment to start asking what if it turns out--
Susie [00:16:41] What if it's just fine.
Annie Jones [00:16:42] Right. I'll just use the example of Reader Retreats are really hard work. They're beautiful events. They're a lot of fun. Our staff loves working on them. I think reader retreaters love them. They are so much fun. But the night before, there's there's normal nervousness and kind of is everything going to go smoothly? Have we planned for every contingency? Is Jordan picking up the van going to go okay because one time it didn't. If you are in charge of anything, whether it's a family or a ministry or a business, I think you can feel a lot of pressure and frequently ask yourself have I prepared for? What if this happens? And it's really a comforting question to turn around and ask instead, what if it's great?
Susie [00:17:27] What if it's just great?
Annie Jones [00:17:28] Yeah.
Susie [00:17:31] I like to write my prayers and I journal, and I use all those pretty pins that dad thinks, why are you buying more pens? And so I like to use all the different colors. And I found myself this year, especially after reading this book, sometimes I'll write out my gratitude, but then I'll write out the things that are on my heart. And then I'll look and I think, most of the time what I thought might happen didn't happen.
Annie Jones [00:17:58] Yes.
Susie [00:17:59] So why don't I just look at it more like, hey, what if this just turns out to be just great?
Annie Jones [00:18:04] Yes.
Susie [00:18:05] And 90 plus percent of the time, it really does. So why not change the attitude of going into things?
Annie Jones [00:18:12] Yes. My therapist talks about that as anticipatory anxiety.
Susie [00:18:17] Exactly. Yeah. And so why not just tweak it a little bit? And just make sure that you have an attitude of, yeah, but hey, what if it's just about the best thing you've ever done? You know, I get trip anxiety.
Annie Jones [00:18:30] Yes, you do.
Susie [00:18:31] Did I forget anything? Have I got on my food? Have I got this done. Have I got the dog taken care of. And then it's always wonderful. It's always fun. So I really am trying to not--
Annie Jones [00:18:43] What a good practice as you head into a very hectic Fall.
Susie [00:18:46] As I'm about to be on traveling.
Annie Jones [00:18:48] As you're about to travel. Yeah.
[00:18:49] So it is good. So I did really enjoy it. And this is a book I flew through.
Annie Jones [00:18:54] Yes. And I was going to say it's a pretty thin-- sometimes if a self-help book is too long, I struggle with it because sometimes if they're longer, they tend to be redundant.
Susie [00:19:03] Exactly.
Annie Jones [00:19:04] But, yeah, this one is a pretty good length.
Susie [00:19:05] But this was great. So I really did enjoy it and it kind of just reminded me out of my doldrums a little bit and reminded me to think positively.
Annie Jones [00:19:15] I bought that book because I met her at Cheer Her on weekend last fall, and I had not read the book yet and I wasn't even familiar with her, but she was the speaker at the live podcast Ashley and I got to go to. And she was wonderful.
Susie [00:19:31] Well, we've used that word a lot.
Annie Jones [00:19:33] Yes, but she really was fantastic. And it was so great to listen to her wisdom and it made me want to buy the book..
Susie [00:19:38] Yeah. Okay. So now after I read that my books came in.
Annie Jones [00:19:43] Did you start from the beginning? So did you go back and-- okay.
Susie [00:19:45] Yes. So I started from the beginning. I started with Dear Mrs. Bird, which is a magazine column where women can write in to the column and get advice and so forth.
Annie Jones [00:19:57] I see.
Susie [00:19:58] So this is now where we meet Emmy Lake and her friend Bunty. But it's all during-- I mean, they're being bombed. Bombs are going off on all of these books, all three of them. It's a terrible time. It's a scary time. And she is brand new, trying to break into her journalism career and gets this job at a magazine. And really, it kind of falls in her lap to become this advice columnist. So this is back to the beginning as how she got her job. And the letters that come in are touching and sweet. Anyway, I was trying to remember which one she does this, but I'll talk about them. She actually does a little investigative work in some of the factories because all the women are being called in to work. So then it also faces the issue of who's going to take care of our children. Husbands are off at war. Women are definitely being called in to make bullets and all these other things. Where are their children going? And I'm just kind of going to talk about both of these. So it's Dear Mrs. Bird and then Yours Cheerfully. That's what the column turns into because Mrs. Bird then goes out of the picture and Emmy takes it over.
Annie Jones [00:21:21] Okay. Interesting.
Susie [00:21:22] Anyway, so there's a lot of issues about child care, which hello? That's still today.
Annie Jones [00:21:28] Here we are.
Susie [00:21:29] Here we are.
Annie Jones [00:21:30] Still haven't solved it.
Susie [00:21:31] And still haven't solved women working and being able to have good, affordable child care. And this was in the middle of a war.
Annie Jones [00:21:38] Yeah, it's fine.
Susie [00:21:39] It's fine. Yeah, that's why we [crosstalk].
Annie Jones [00:21:42] I was going to say that's why we read escapist novels.
Susie [00:21:45] But they were so good. I just love all the characters. I love Bunty. I love Emmy. I love her boss, her quirky boss. I like quirky characters.
Annie Jones [00:21:56] I do, too. And are there only going to be three, do you think?
Susie [00:21:59] I've wished we would have another one? I would love it if she did.
Annie Jones [00:22:04] So I have been intrigued by these. This did really well at The Bookshelf. Dear Mrs. Bird did very well at the bookstore when it first came out, and now sounds like we need to restock. But, anyway, AJ Pearce said she discovered a 1939 women's magazine and that was the insight for it. How cool.
Susie [00:22:21] Yes. There's so much truth in fiction.
Annie Jones [00:22:23] Yeah, that's fun..
Susie [00:22:30] So I read my first one, then I went back to the beginning and then I finished with Yours Cheerfully, I did not want to finish it.
Annie Jones [00:22:37] So you took your time?
Susie [00:22:39] I did not want to leave. We're in the middle of a war. I didn't want to leave because I loved all the characters so much.
Annie Jones [00:22:44] Because you love the characters. That's so great.
Susie [00:22:46] So, anyway, I loved those books. I highly recommend if you got my Shelf Subscription in September, that you go backwards and get those two paperback books. So also, do you speed up when you read books that you're, like, I got to get through this, I want to finish it, I got to get through it?
Annie Jones [00:23:02] Yes, I definitely do that.
Susie [00:23:04] I definitely do that too.
Annie Jones [00:23:05] I definitely do that.
Susie [00:23:07] I'm not as speedy as you, but I do.
Annie Jones [00:23:10] Yeah. Especially if it's a book I'm reading for a deadline, which often, weirdly, I am reading for some kind of deadline, whether it's for a book club or a Shelf Subscription or whatever. Or if it's just a book where I'm like-- this is an actual term because Jordan read a book about what does he call it? It's a scientific term, but it's like sunk time cost. Oh, somebody is yelling at their radio right now, telling us. But basically the idea is that we assume, well, if I've already dedicated 100 pages, 150 pages, I need to go ahead and finish. And this scientific whatever it's called sunk time cost, I don't remember. But it's basically-- actually no.
Susie [00:23:57] Didn't Gretchen Rubin talking about that?
Annie Jones [00:23:59] Yes, she talks about it too.
Susie [00:24:01] I think it was her that finally allowed me to nip [crosstalk].
Annie Jones [00:24:05] Yes. And so the other day I was reading a book. I truly I'm not trying to protect the book. I truly don't remember what book it was. But I had been reading a book and I didn't really like it. It was suppose to be like a light, fun book, but I didn't like the writing. I don't know. Something. And I was laying on the couch and Jordan asked me what I was reading and I was like, "I'm reading this book, but I don't really like it. But I now I feel committed." And he was like sunk time cost or whatever. And I said, "You know what? You're right." I was like, I don't need to do this. I've got plenty of other books to read.
Susie [00:24:33] That's right. I think when I first learned that from Gretchen Rubin, I was like, wait, what? Wait, I don't have to be miserable when I'm reading?
Annie Jones [00:24:42] Which is so wrong. Of course, you don't.
Susie [00:24:45] So, anyway, that was my other question to you because I find I do that as well. But I'm also really happy that I can leave it if I'm just not that into it, it feels freeing.
Annie Jones [00:25:01] Yes, it is freeing.
Susie [00:25:02] And then you move on to what you really love because reading is supposed to be that for us.
Annie Jones [00:25:07] Yeah, that's right.
Susie [00:25:09] If it was work, it would be in a dishwasher waiting to be unloaded.
Annie Jones [00:25:14] Yeah.
Susie [00:25:15] Okay, so my next book I read is a different kind of book for me. The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok. Because I do want to broaden the types of books that I read.
Annie Jones [00:25:29] Yeah, we always talk about that.
Susie [00:25:32] So this was a different book.
Annie Jones [00:25:34] I was just looking. She wrote Searching for Sylvie Lee, which I am pretty sure was a Reese Witherspoon.
Susie [00:25:40] That was a big hit.
Annie Jones [00:25:41] Yeah.
Susie [00:25:42] So her writing is very good.
Annie Jones [00:25:44] Okay.
Susie [00:25:45] Her writing is good. I'm not going to say this was the easiest, most fun, lighthearted book I've read this year.
Annie Jones [00:25:52] That's okay.
Susie [00:25:54] But I stuck with it. It dealt with immigration issues. Chinese immigration issues. It dealt with that one child rule in China. And what happens with babies, especially little girls who are born. And I think it's fiction, of course. But I think it's true.
Annie Jones [00:26:13] Yes. Probably did a lot of research, I suspect.
Susie [00:26:16] Because it's sad and it's hard. And the conditions with being told you can only have one child and the importance of that being a son who can take over everything and who can take care of you put parents in a really horrible position. So, anyway, this girl comes to New York, and so it's a lot about it's not easy, folks, to come. And so we look at that in our news today and just think everybody's coming. And everybody's coming here today too because the land of opportunity-- it is hard.
Annie Jones [00:26:53] Yeah. Their lives are in upheaval. Is this book set in present day?
Susie [00:26:58] Yes.
Annie Jones [00:27:00] Okay. Well, are there flashbacks?
Susie [00:27:03] Yes, I think there are some. Okay. Gosh, you know what, I do this a lot when I come here. I forget.
Annie Jones [00:27:08] Well, I was trying to remember only because your previous ones were historical fiction. I don't know if this is.
Susie [00:27:16] I don't know if that rule is still intact about the one child. I think it isn't anymore. So this would be when that rule was in. Again, people are probably going, you guys.
Annie Jones [00:27:28] It's okay. It happens to the best of us.
Susie [00:27:29] But that's okay. Anyway, I don't want to tell too many things about this book right now. But if that's what the premise is, she comes to New York--
Annie Jones [00:27:40] Hint for future.
Susie [00:27:42] Yes. And she gets a little job as a nanny. But she also has to pay back these thugs who allowed her to get here. That's why there's a dark side.
Annie Jones [00:27:54] I see. So that's what you mean. Yeah, and certainly probably was a big departure from the AJ Pearce books.
Susie [00:28:00] It definitely was.
Annie Jones [00:28:00] Because that's the other thing I think we forget maybe when we're reading books, is reading rhythm matters.
Susie [00:28:06] Yes.
Annie Jones [00:28:07] And if we have just finished fun, light-- even though those books were set during the war, those were characters you really like. This does definitely sound like darker material.
Susie [00:28:19] It is darker material, but thankfully, I always look for the good that's going to come.
Annie Jones [00:28:24] Yes..
Susie [00:28:25] So thankfully that happens, but she has to go through terrible things to try to pay back the bad guys that promised her passage to America.
Annie Jones [00:28:36] I see, the guys who brought her here.
Susie [00:28:38] So that often leads to working in places that aren't good. But I want to say this. I don't want to always read where I'm just always perky, perky, perky. I want to read that also reminds me, gosh, people have stories, hard, hard stories of getting to that good place that they came here to be. And so I thought for me, I'm glad I read this book.
Annie Jones [00:29:09] Yeah. And it sounds like, yes, it's a darker story than maybe the ones you had just read. But it also sounds like a book that you could read. We talk about that like, oh, mom just like to read fluffy books. And you're always very quick to say no. And so this also sounds like if somebody is a PG 13 reader, this is still a good book for them where it might introduce them to concepts or historical events that maybe they didn't know much about.
Susie [00:29:37] Right. And I think that's what it did for me. You hear about that in the news, but then you forget about that. And it it is kind of like watching the news for me, and I have to sometimes take breaks from the news. But I also do not ever want to be ignorant as to what's going on right in our country.
Annie Jones [00:29:55] Don't want to bury your head.
Susie [00:29:56] And I've talked to people recently that are like, oh, really? What, I hadn't heard that. I'm like, okay, I don't want to be that person either. So when I read books and I recommend them, you might have to get through some touchy parts. But I think it's important for us to know so that we can appreciate each other for what we bring to our melting pot country. We need to know sometimes what they've been through so that we can appreciate and respect and love and like people.
Annie Jones [00:30:28] And I think that's what fiction is so good for. I wish fiction would even be more embraced-- and maybe it is now more than it was when I was a kid. But I wish fiction would be embraced in schools, because I do think more than a history textbook, a historical fiction novel can really open your eyes to events, people, places that maybe in a paragraph in a history textbook didn't make much of an impact.
Susie [00:30:56] Exactly.
Annie Jones [00:30:57] But once you have a fully realized story around it, I think that's the value of historical fiction and fiction in general. I wish we would read more of it in school settings.
Susie [00:31:08] I think that children would want to learn more.
Annie Jones [00:31:11] Yes, I do too.
Susie [00:31:12] Especially teens. You would want to know more if you could read a good historical fiction book about someone fictional. But it's written so well that it makes you want to, gosh, I didn't even realize that part of our history. And so I agree totally. I think we would engage kids a lot more if we had a reading list of historical fiction. We need to tell Chet [sp] that.
Annie Jones [00:31:40] Yeah, he's a teacher.
Susie [00:31:41] Yes. Okay.
Annie Jones [00:31:42] All right, then what did you read?
Susie [00:31:44] Well, what I'm reading, this is current.
Annie Jones [00:31:46] Okay, so what are you reading right now?
Susie [00:31:48] Well, I met Kerry Winfrey.
Annie Jones [00:31:50] Oh, yeah, you did. I forgot. She came to Reader Retreat.
Susie [00:31:53] Yep. That was in your summer. Was that June?
Annie Jones [00:31:56] Was it June?
Susie [00:31:57] I think it was June on Reader Retreat. And so I got to meet her and I got to meet--
Annie Jones [00:32:03] Oh, Eric Thomas.
Susie [00:32:04] Yes.
Annie Jones [00:32:05] Okay. You should read his--.
Susie [00:32:06] I have them.
Annie Jones [00:32:07] Okay. You should. I think you'd like him.
Susie [00:32:08] They're on my TBR list.
Annie Jones [00:32:10] Oh, look at you.
Susie [00:32:12] But right now, after reading this one--
Annie Jones [00:32:15] Yes, after reading the Leftover Women.
Susie [00:32:17] Yes. Did I say the title to that? The Leftover Woman. I did. So that's when I'm like, okay, I got to decompress a little bit.
Annie Jones [00:32:24] Now it's time for your break.
Susie [00:32:26] And then war broke out in the Middle East, so I'm like, okay, I need something fun. And this totally is fun. I was going to save it for Christmas.
Annie Jones [00:32:35] I'm saving mine
Susie [00:32:37] But I'll pass this on to Lisa.
Annie Jones [00:32:39] You think Cousin Caroline would like this?
Susie [00:32:41] Yes.
Annie Jones [00:32:42] I think she should read this.
Susie [00:32:43] I think she should too because it really is like reading a Hallmark movie. And that is a great thing, everybody.
Annie Jones [00:32:52] So Kerry Winfrey based this on Christmas in Connecticut which is a delightful movie.
Susie [00:32:59] Oh, I love that! Of course. I didn't even pick up on that. But, of course, I love that movie because you told me about that movie.
Annie Jones [00:33:07] Yes. She said she was watching it and realized why has no one modernized this? And so she decided to do that.
Susie [00:33:17] I love this book.
Annie Jones [00:33:18] Okay, good.
Susie [00:33:18] I'm so loving it, but I'm savoring it.
Annie Jones [00:33:21] Okay, You're taking your time.
Susie [00:33:22] I am. Because I really wish I had saved it, but I really needed something light, and I had just met her. And the cover is so cute. Everybody, that cover is cute, but it is the perfect November/December read.
Annie Jones [00:33:38] Okay, good. I'm going to save mine, I think, for November/December.
Susie [00:33:40] And I'm going to finish it before I leave town and give it to Lisa so she can start it. It is delightful. I love it.
Annie Jones [00:33:48] Okay. How would you compare it to her others?
Susie [00:33:51] Okay. I'm trying to remember the other book. What was the other book? I didn't read Waiting for Tom Hanks.
Annie Jones [00:33:58] You didn't read Waiting for Tom Hanks?
Susie [00:33:59] No.
Annie Jones [00:33:59] Did you read Just Another Love Song?
Susie [00:34:01] I think that one. I loved it.
Annie Jones [00:34:03] Okay.
Susie [00:34:04] I have that one on my shelf. I loved that book. She is very fun author? She's fun in person.
Annie Jones [00:34:12] She was delightful.
Susie [00:34:13] She really was delightful. And her writing, I don't know. It just suits her whole-- if you meet her you can just see her writing because I think she's cute as a button. So, anyway, I am adoring this book. Happy to pass it on to Aunt Lisa when I'm done.
Annie Jones [00:34:33] I'm going to make Caroline read it. Caroline's my cousin, who's sometimes a slightly more reluctant reader. Although, she will read.
Susie [00:34:40] But she is a hallmark...
Annie Jones [00:34:42] Oh, man. She might have her Christmas tree out already.
Susie [00:34:45] If her parents would let her, she certainly would.
Annie Jones [00:34:48] Yes. Okay. And then what else are you reading?
Susie [00:34:50] Well, I've read this before, but currently I'm rereading it for our small group at our church.
Annie Jones [00:34:56] Okay.
Susie [00:34:57] And it's How to Pray by C.S. Lewis.
Annie Jones [00:34:59] I've not read that one.
Susie [00:35:00] Okay. Well, he's complicated for me to read.
Annie Jones [00:35:05] Did you know he's an INTJ like your two children?
Susie [00:35:08] Of course, that makes perfect sense.
Annie Jones [00:35:10] So when you read him, you can just think of Annie and Chat.
Susie [00:35:12] Yes, and I do. But we're loving discussing this in our small groups and I'm really liking it. And you know I'm funny about prayer and I don't want to feel like you're not doing it right or I don't want to read something that's going to.. He didn't write this book put together. It's a combination of his essays that were put together that he had written about prayer.
Annie Jones [00:35:40] I see.
Susie [00:35:41] So it's very good.
Annie Jones [00:35:44] That sound like a good one to discuss.
Susie [00:35:45] And again, the Brits. Here I am.
Annie Jones [00:35:50] Well, truly, I'm looking at your list this time, and it is five British.
Susie [00:36:00] Yeah. You know what, Kerry was a...
Annie Jones [00:36:03] Thanks to Kerry for being an American.
Susie [00:36:04] Bringing me back.
Annie Jones [00:36:06] Okay. Are you reading anything else or what's next up on your TBR?
Susie [00:36:09] Next on my TBR is Same Time Next Summer. Which is so weird. How funny of me.
Annie Jones [00:36:15] Yeah. You're reading Christmas and summer.
Susie [00:36:17] Yeah, that I'm going back to summer. But the reason I am is because I met Annabel Monaghan.
Annie Jones [00:36:23] Yes, Monaghan.
Susie [00:36:27] I feel like I'm meeting rock stars.
Annie Jones [00:36:29] You are. Rock stars in the literary world.
Susie [00:36:31] Yes. And I love it. And they're just so normal and down to earth.
Annie Jones [00:36:35] Yeah, every author that has come to Reader Retreat has been phenomenal.
Susie [00:36:39] Just like I would be friends. And I loved her. She was absolutely delightful. I had already read Nora Goes Off Script, loved, loved it. And I had to buy my own copy because I had read yours.
Annie Jones [00:36:54] Yeah, that's so funny.
Susie [00:36:55] That was so weird. So I got her to sign my new copy. Hopefully, I gave you yours back.
Annie Jones [00:37:00] Yeah, I think.
Susie [00:37:01] And so I think I'm going to take this with me on my trip. I know I'm going to love it.
Annie Jones [00:37:09] I think what you will love about it is what somebody with a book club member mentioned, because we did the live podcast together and a book club from Tallahassee came and one of them made the comment and it's the same thing I took away. So Nora Goes Off Script, I loved. I loved all of the characters. I also love the setting. I love the Tea House. That sticks out to me. And Annabel said this herself, Same Time Next Summer was built around a tree house that appears in this book, but it's also about the beach and how the beach makes us feel. And I think for a lot of us-- and this woman from the Tallahassee Book Club really articulated it so well. But for a lot of us who grew up near the coast-- and some people might have been lucky enough to grow up on the coasts, Annabel grew up in California, and so getting to go to the beach really holds a lot of nostalgic feelings. And the way I had a friend who texted me while she was reading Same Time Next Summer, this summer, and she took a picture of a passage and she said, "This is exactly how I feel when I go to the beach. So the way Annabel writes about the beach, I think you are really going to love.
Susie [00:38:17] I'm going to love it. And we do tend to go to the beach all seasons here because we're not very far from it. So I think it's going to be the perfect read. And while I was here today, I went into the store and I bought my Blue Zone books. But I also bought another Christmas book. Mary Kay Andrew's new book.
Annie Jones [00:38:37] Oh, okay.
Susie [00:38:38] And so I'm all over the place.
Annie Jones [00:38:39] You're all over the place.
Susie [00:38:41] But I just thought, I don't want to wait on this one because after meeting her, I don't want to wait.
Annie Jones [00:38:46] Yeah, you to ride that high.
Susie [00:38:48] And listening to those ladies speak about it, that was the sweetest comment. And watching them talk about it.
Annie Jones [00:38:55] It was so fun.
Susie [00:38:56] I loved that so much. So I don't feel bad about skipping-- plus, everybody, hello. We're having cool friends and we're in the eighties.
Annie Jones [00:39:04] Right. So we can still read summer books.
Susie [00:39:06] I can read about summer books. That's right. And I just want to tell you that Annabel did DM when she saw that we went to see Chicago and that was one of her favorite childhood bands. So you'll feel that kinship now.
Susie [00:39:17] I just love her, love the live podcast so much both times. I just I'm so thrilled that you do what you do and I get to be your mom.
Annie Jones [00:39:29] Well, if you are wondering if that live podcast is going to be something you can hear, we are hoping to drop that into your feeds in November, probably around Thanksgiving, because we knew we wouldn't have time really to record an episode. So you will be hearing that episode if the sound turned out okay, you'll be he'll be hearing it. But I think it did. And so hopefully you'll be hearing that episode next month.
Susie [00:39:50] That is a such a fun experience. Come to Reader Retreats.
Annie Jones [00:39:54] Yeah, come to Reader Retreats or come to the live podcast.
Susie [00:39:56] To the live podcast. They are so fun.
Annie Jones [00:39:59] Well, mom, that's quite a list. Thank you so much for coming. I think this is your last time on the podcast for this year. Yeah. You weren't prepared for this question, I'll ask you anyway. But do you have a book that you think is going to be like one of your favorites for the year?
Susie [00:40:13] Flora Lee
Annie Jones [00:40:14] Oh, okay. Look at that. You had an answer immediately.
Susie [00:40:17] I loved that book.
Annie Jones [00:40:18] Okay.
Susie [00:40:21] Secret Life of Flora Lee.
Annie Jones [00:40:22] By Patti Callahan Henry.
Susie [00:40:23] Yes.
Annie Jones [00:40:24] All right. I'm going to try to get her here.
Susie [00:40:27] I love her writing. I love-- let me see. Wait a minute.
Annie Jones [00:40:31] She wrote Becoming Mrs. Lewis.
Susie [00:40:33] That's it. And I fell in love with that one. Loved it so much. And I think I've read another one by her, and this one.
Annie Jones [00:40:41] Yes you have. You read the wardrobe one.
Susie [00:40:43] Yes. And love it. I love her. I think for me I love her. And Laura Denton I know her stories are very Southern stories. But I think Flora Lee might be one of my favorites this year. And again, it was World War Two. It was about this little girl who had been taken right by someone. And so I just loved it. So I've read a lot of good books. I could have gone back and given you maybe an answer. I probably have another one that might be one of my faves too.
Annie Jones [00:41:20] You had that one pretty much on the top of your head though.
Susie [00:41:21] But it is because looking at my shelves the other day, I was like, okay, that was one of my favorites this year.
Annie Jones [00:41:27] Okay, well, good. You can also go back and listen. We'll put links in the show notes from mom's other episodes she's done with us this year. But this was fun. And we'll see you-- I mean, I'll see you before 2024.
Susie [00:41:38] Well, I hope so.
Annie Jones [00:41:40] But listeners can see and hear from you in 2024. Thanks, Mom.
Susie [00:41:43] Thanks, Annie.
Annie Jones [00:41:46] This week, what I am reading is brought to you by visit Thomasville. Fall is a wonderful time to see Thomasville, Georgia. If it's time to hit the road for a quick getaway, we are exactly what you're looking for. You can rekindle your spark, explore historical sites, indulge in dining out, shop at amazing independent stores, and finally relax and unwind. There's no better getaway than Thomasville. Whether you live close by or are just passing through, we hope you'll visit beautiful Thomasville, Georgia. It's worth the trip. Plan your visit at ThomasvilleGa.com. So my cousin Ashley and I last night went to a Thomasville Entertainment Foundation performance of a jazz vocalist and pianist. And we were able to walk from my house to the Center for the Arts where this was being performed. And it was such a wonderful reminder of how special Thomasville is, because we get these world renowned and I'm not joking about that, these world class, world renowned musicians, but I just get to walk to an intimate venue with my cousin and see them. Walkability is one of my favorite things about living in Thomasville. But also these events are one of my favorite things about living in Thomasville. And you, if you visit our city, get to participate in these things.
[00:43:00] So I wanted to give you a heads up that you can visit the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation website. They have another event, I think, coming up in November, and it happens to be on November 7th, which is also the same day as my other favorite Thomasville thing, which is the Chicken Perlo Dinner put on by the Thomasville History Center. Our History Center throws a Chicken Perlo Dinner every election night, so the first Tuesday in November. And so now Ashley and I already have our next fall function planned where we're going to go have our chicken perlo and then go see the, I believe, New York Ballet at the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium. So all of that information can be found at ThomasvilleGa.com. But if you're looking for something fun to do this fall, a quick overnight getaway, I think that would be a really fun time to come to town.
[00:43:46] This week I'm reading My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine. Mom, what are you reading?
Susie [00:43:53] I'm finishing up Kerry Winfrey's Faking Christmas.
Annie Jones [00:43:57] Thank you again to our sponsor, Visit Thomasville. Don't forget to plan your visit at ThomasvilleGa.com.
Annie Jones: From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in Thomasville, Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram at @bookshelftville, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website: bookshelfthomasville.com A full transcript of today’s episode can be found at:
Special thanks to Studio D Podcast Production for production of From the Front Porch and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.
Our Executive Producers of today’s episode are…
Cammy Tidwell, Chantalle Carl, Kate O'Connell, Kristin May, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Stacy Laue, Chanta Combs, Stephanie Dean, Ashley Ferrell
Executive Producers (Read Their Own Names): Nicole Marsee, Wendi Jenkins, Laurie Johnson, Susan Hulings Annie Jones: If you’d like to support From the Front Porch, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the show even better and reach new listeners. All you have to do is open up the Podcast App on your phone, look for From the Front Porch, scroll down until you see ‘Write a Review’ and tell us what you think. Or, if you’re so inclined, support us over on Patreon, where we have 3 levels of support - Front Porch Friends, Book Club Companions, and Bookshelf Benefactors. Each level has an amazing number of benefits like bonus content, access to live events, discounts, and giveaways. Just go to: patreon.com/fromthefrontporch We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week.