This week on From the Front Porch, it's an episode of Off the Shelf with Annie & Ashley! Annie is joined by friend, cousin, and former colleague, Ashley Sherlock, to chat about what they’re reading – but also what they’re watching, listening to, and buying.
To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (type “Episode 482” into the search bar and tap enter to find the books mentioned in this episode), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:
Annie is reading:
Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Ashley is reading:
Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
Island Rule by Katie M. Flynn
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 listening to Pearce Oysters by Joselyn Tokacs. Ashley is reading Funny Story by Emily Henry.
If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Or, if you’re so inclined, support us on Patreon, where you can hear our staff’s weekly New Release Tuesday conversations, read full book reviews in our monthly Shelf Life newsletter and follow along as Hunter and I conquer a classic. 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...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.
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]
“‘He spoke once about something called a plastic hour, that there are these times in our lives when everything is changing and soft and malleable. We tend to suffer during these times, but his point was that actually, these plastic hours are times when you can make actual change.’” ― Taffy Brodesser-Akner, Long Island Compromise
[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 chatting about summery “off the shelf” topics with my cousin, Ashley Sherlock.
[00:01:02] As a reminder, if you've ever wondered what The Bookshelf actually looks like, you can follow us over on Instagram and now on TikTok at the bookshelftville. We post a lot of behind-the-scenes pictures and give updates like store hours, shops, events, and special deals. It's a great way to easily keep in touch and see what's happening at the shop, often in real time. Just follow us on Instagram or on TikTok at bookshelftville. Now, back to the show. Hi, Ashley.
Ashley [00:01:32] Hello. I had to keep myself from laughing at you for advertising yourself on TikTok. That's amazing.
Annie Jones [00:01:39] Can you believe? Well, you know what? Here's the great news. I don't have to do it.
Ashley [00:01:42] Yes, this I know.
Annie Jones [00:01:42] Caroline is amazing, and she works with Kyla and Kendall and Mallory to make all kinds of fun Gen Z things that I quite frankly am incapable of.
Ashley [00:01:54] Well done.
Annie Jones [00:01:55] Yeah, and I can't get on another app. As we, I think, have discussed many times, I just can't be on the phone any more than I already am.
Ashley [00:02:05] Nope. You have to have somebody to do that for you.
Annie Jones [00:02:07] That's right. So, thank you to The Bookshelf staff for keeping us hip and cool and vibrant and fun.
Ashley [00:02:13] Let's go.
Annie Jones [00:02:14] It's been a minute since you've been on here.
Ashley [00:02:16] It's been a while. What have we missed?
Annie Jones [00:02:19] Last time we spoke-- don't worry, everybody, it's not the last time we spoke for real. But the last time we spoke in a recording was for a winter one of these, and you literally had just moved. I had just dropped you off like a mother drops her child off at college.
Ashley [00:02:35] Indeed. Indeed. We have since thawed out a little bit.
Annie Jones [00:02:38] And now here we are. It is May. If you are a new listener to From the Front Porch. Off the Shelf is our recurring episode series where we talk about books, yes, but also articles, TV shows, pop culture. And in this seasonal episode, we're going to talk about beating the summertime blues. Ashley is a former Bookshelf staffer. She is my literal family member and my friend. And here we are.
Ashley [00:03:03] Here we are.
Annie Jones [00:03:04] Okay, so we normally do reading, watching, listening, buying. Shall I get us started on reading?
Ashley [00:03:13] Go for it.
Annie Jones [00:03:14] Okay. So, I do want to mention the book that I talked about at the top of the episode, which by the time this episode airs, I think I will have talked about at least a little bit on the show, but it is Long Island Compromise. This is by Taffy Brodesser-Akner. It is a long book. I need to get that out of the way, that it is not a quick read. However, clocking in at around 500 pages, it's still super-fast feeling. You might remember Taffy Brodesser-Akner. She wrote-- do you remember Fleishman is in Trouble?
Ashley [00:03:45] No. I just know that this elementary school that I went to was on Fleishman Road.
Annie Jones [00:03:51] Wow! Though, I hope that's not a password protector clue for you, Fleisman Road.
Ashley [00:03:55] No.
Annie Jones [00:03:55] So, yes, Fleishman Is in Trouble is a TV show, but it was a book that was one of those books that I picked up, I didn't really love it. It starts with a 40-year-old man having a midlife crisis and going on some sexual escapades. And that was a little bit not my vibe, but then I picked it back up and kept reading and absolutely loved it. And so, this is her new book. It comes out later this summer. And normally when I think about summer books, I think about beach reads, I think about rom coms, I think about thrillers and mysteries. This is a dysfunctional family story about a Jewish family living in Long Island. Their dad, the patriarch of the family, is named Carl. In 1980, Carl is kidnaped from the family home, kept for ransom, and the family is in turmoil until he is returned one week later with not too much explanation. The ransom has been met, but we don't really know what happened to Carl.
[00:04:53] And the key line from the book, or one of the key lines, is that his mother, a very Jewish matriarch, pulls her son aside when he comes back from being kidnaped and tortured really, and she kind of grabs him by the shoulders and says, "This happened to your body. It didn't happen to you." And then the result is the trauma of keeping that buried, not really talking about it as a family. And then we fast forward to Carl's adult children and how they all grapple with his kidnaping, and the after effect of his kidnaping. This book is so good. It is so excellent. And so, I wanted to put it on your radar, because I'm not sure it's one you would normally pick up because of the length. It might be really great in audiobook format. I know you like to listen to audiobooks, but if you come across it this summer in your bookstore wanderings, I really think you should give it a try. It's really good. It's really good.
Ashley [00:05:46] It sounds amazing. I'm writing it down.
Annie Jones [00:05:49] Yeah. It's excellent. I'll go ahead and finish and say I'm still reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. And because you're not around locally, I do just want to tell you I'm having the very best time.
Ashley [00:06:02] Because I'm not there.
Annie Jones [00:06:06] No. No. Just you're not here for me to tell this to in person, so I just want you to know now that it might be one of my favorite books of all time.
Ashley [00:06:13] Lonesome Dove?
Annie Jones [00:06:14] Yeah. It's so good.
Ashley [00:06:16] Wow!
Annie Jones [00:06:17] I’m having the time of my life. I love it. I love the reading experience. I love these cowboys. Who knew I'd love a Western. 'm very invested and I'm so excited to travel with them this summer.
Ashley [00:06:32] Is that the one your mom was reading about the carrot situation?
Annie Jones [00:06:37] Yes. The carrots and poking. Okay. And then the last thing I'm reading is an article-- we'll link to it in the show notes. I just finished this and I do love when you can listen to an article. So, this is a New Yorker article and I listened to the audio version of it. I believe the article is called A British Nurse Was Found Guilty of Killing Seven Babies. Did She Do It? I hope that listeners will understand that there are some obvious trigger warnings there, so it may not be for you. But I thought it was a fascinating look at the British criminal justice system. This happened in Great Britain. A nurse was accused of killing seven babies. She was found guilty. And you listen, this article clearly is coming from a more defensive stance. A kind of encouraging, perhaps, things to be reexamined. The article cannot be found or acquired-- I guess you could probably through the dark web or something. You could possibly find it, but it can't be read in Great Britain because of their laws about talking about the criminal justice system over there. So, I thought it was fascinating.
Ashley [00:07:41] Wow!
[00:07:42] Yeah. And it's just such an interesting look at how the court system over their works and their National Health Service and British friends may have other opinions about this case. But I thought the article was worth reading. Or listening to just because it's such an interesting look. If you're an American, it's such an interesting look at a different criminal justice system and how people are found guilty, presumption of innocence and that kind of thing that I think even though our system is quite flawed, I do think we take for granted some of the ways in which. it is a pretty good system. It's flawed, but it's pretty good. And so anyway, I found it was fascinating. You can listen to it in like 20 minutes or you can read it. It's on the New Yorker. Really interesting, especially if you're a true crime reader, if you like true crime podcasts, or if you're just interested in things like the Innocence Project and stuff like that. So that is a New Yorker article, and it's written by Rachel Aviv, who's a writer who folks might be familiar with too.
Ashley [00:08:38] I have three things too. Do I just lightning round?
Annie Jones [00:08:41] Yes, do it.
Ashley [00:08:41] Okay, so first of all, I read Gretta and Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly. I think Hunter posted about it on his Instagram, but I think I found it before that, which never happens.
Annie Jones [00:08:56] That's fun.
Ashley [00:08:57] But it's about a couple of LGBTQ siblings who live in New Zealand, which is a place I really want to go to, and they're both in love with people that they can't have. And it's just the two of them in conversation with each other and the rest of their family. I read it a while ago now, but I'm pretty sure it's told in dual perspective. I actually listened to it in audiobook and it was...
Annie Jones [00:09:20] Oh, did you like it?
Ashley [00:09:21] I loved it. It had multiple narrators and I just found it delightful and surprisingly charming. I went into it like I do everything else, not knowing anything about it.
Annie Jones [00:09:33] That's honestly probably the best way to go.
Ashley [00:09:34] And I was very pleasantly surprised, really. Yeah, it was a good move on my part.
Annie Jones [00:09:40] Okay, that sounds great.
Ashley [00:09:42] Okay. Next, I also read The Enchanted April. Are you familiar with this?
Annie Jones [00:09:48] As you're talking, I'm looking up. This looks beautiful. Where'd you come across this?
Ashley [00:09:55] I'll tell you. Kate, from Bookmarks.
Annie Jones [00:09:59] Oh, Kate!
Ashley [00:10:00] So I went to Bookmarks a little while ago. And back when I was, I guess, kind of in a reading blur, and I told Kate that I was looking for something light and that I could finish quickly so that I can feel accomplished. And this is one of the titles that she handed me. I think it was written a very long time ago. And there's also a movie about it, apparently.
Annie Jones [00:10:20] Yes. Okay, I have heard of the movie.
Ashley [00:10:22] Okay, I got to look up the movie, but it is about two miserable women in London in February-- which does sound miserable. They both see the same advertisem*nt. And I'll read you part of it. It just says "To those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine." Yes, please. I was hooked as well. But they see this advertisem*nt, and it's for an Italian castle that is available to rent in April. And so, together and they find a few other friends that they don't know are friends yet, and they go to Italy in April. And it's the story of self-discovery and unexpected friendship, and it is truly what I was looking for. It's not April anymore, but I think it's still worth reading.
Annie Jones [00:11:10] Still could be good summery-- also, a lot of the different covers, I don't know what cover you bought, but a lot of the covers are real pretty.
Ashley [00:11:18] I can't find my cover on the internet. I don't know how to describe it to you. It's not in front of my face.
Annie Jones [00:11:26] Okay, well, I'm curious about that, because don't we all just want to leave?
Ashley [00:11:29] Don't they all just want to go to a castle in Italy?
Annie Jones [00:11:32] Yeah, with our friends. That sounds fun.
Ashley [00:11:34] Should we? I feel like we could do that for real, though.
Annie Jones [00:11:37] I think we could. If not Italy, London. I feel like that's a quick jaunt across the pond.
Ashley [00:11:42] You and I haven't been abroad together yet, right?
Annie Jones [00:11:45] We have not.
Ashley [00:11:45] I feel like that should be in the near future.
Annie Jones [00:11:47] Could we somehow make that a business trip? Like a business expense? Like Annie and Ashley go live?
Ashley [00:11:54] Can we just record an episode of the podcast there?
Annie Jones [00:11:58] Yeah. Or like we'll make a YouTube or something.
Ashley [00:12:03] Absolutely. Yeah, that seems easy. Yeah, totally. Okay. So, we'll get to work on that. But the last thing that I read is called Island Rule by Katie M. Flynn. And this is one that I just happened upon on Libro.fm. And I was hoping for traditional island vibes. That is not what I got. I got a quirky, kind of off-kilter short story collection. There are 12 stories in here. There is an island, but it's not like your beachy island type thing. It's a little traumatic, a little bit dreadful.
Annie Jones [00:12:42] The cover is terrifying. It's a mouse.
Ashley [00:12:46] I know. Listen, I don't know, I saw the word island and I got lost.
Annie Jones [00:12:50] Well, you blacked out and downloaded it.
Ashley [00:12:53] It happens. ADHD, whatever. So, it is not too traditional light summer reading. You do have to pay attention to this because it's 12 separate stories, but they're all interconnected. And I did like it. I don't know how people will like it for summer, but I do recommend.
Annie Jones [00:13:13] Okay. Those are very diverse selections you've chosen.
Ashley [00:13:18] I am a well-rounded person.
Annie Jones [00:13:21] Reading across genres is very impressive.
Ashley [00:13:23] I like to keep them guessing.
Annie Jones [00:13:24] Okay, I'm going to cheat because I do see something that we watched in common that we have not talked about, which is we both watched The Idea of You.
Ashley [00:13:34] We did.
Annie Jones [00:13:36] I have to ask you, were you familiar with this at all? Like, did you read the book or no?
Ashley [00:13:41] No, I just knew that's the Harry Styles fanfic, right?
Annie Jones [00:13:47] Yes. So I, in a fugue state, bought The Idea of You two days before the movie came out, because I was like, I'm going to read this book before this movie comes out. And I had never read the book because I'm pretty sure somebody told me, or I found out, or I figured out that it was romance not romcom, and that it was fairly open door. But I didn't care. I was in a fugue state and so I bought the book, devoured it. I mean, you read it really fast. I read it in like 24 hours. And then Jordan and I watched the movie together, which what a hilarious experience. And honestly, by the time people listen to this, I assume they will have read or watched or both. But if you haven't, I do think don't read the book. Do one or the other. Either read the book or watch the movie. I don't think you need to read the book in order to watch the movie, because they're actually quite different. And so, that's just my little expert advice. I think you can just go in and just watch the movie and probably have a great time. You're a Harry styles person. How'd you like this?
Ashley [00:14:55] I thought it was fine.
Annie Jones [00:14:56] That's how I felt. I thought was fine.
[00:14:58] Yeah. I'm probably not going to watch it again.
Annie Jones [00:15:00] No, I did not watch it again. Look, I'm constantly trying to chase that set-it-up-high and it's not going to happen for me.
Ashley [00:15:07] It's really not.
Annie Jones [00:15:08] It's not. It's not going to happen for me. It's fine. I think Anne Hathaway is great in it.
Ashley [00:15:13] I think I love Anne Hathaway, which is a new discovery for me.
Annie Jones [00:15:16] Yeah, I thought she was great. Jordan and I watched it and this is what I think is super intriguing. I've seen some people talk online. I'd love to know your thoughts. Jordan immediately was like, “I just don't know why she liked him.” And in the book, I think there's more exploration into why she likes him. In the movie when he-- this is a spoiler, but it's a quick little spoiler. He comes into her art gallery and he buys all the art, like, buys it all. Which felt a little skeezy to me. Like, I'm buying all your art so you can take the rest of the day off so we can go to a hotel. That's what it felt like. And that's what it was. And in the book, he actually starts to take an interest in art. He selects different kinds of pieces, which I think is better character development. But anyway, Jordan and I couldn't figure out, did they have chemistry in this movie?
Ashley [00:16:12] I think no.
Annie Jones [00:16:14] Okay. I just never got, like, twitterpated over it.
Ashley [00:16:18] Yeah.
Annie Jones [00:16:20] Which you would think I would, but I didn't.
Ashley [00:16:23] I think we both wanted to.
Annie Jones [00:16:26] Yes, we did. Did you like the guy who played the guy who's Harry styles?
Ashley [00:16:32] The guy who played the guy? I mean, not enough to look him up afterwards.
Annie Jones [00:16:38] Okay. That's how you know.
Ashley [00:16:39] Yeah.
Annie Jones [00:16:41] That is how you know.
Ashley [00:16:43] Yeah. It was something to do.
Annie Jones [00:16:47] It was. It was something to do. And Jordan and I had a great time talking. It was very funny and fun to talk about it with Jordan and to explain to him the differences in the book in the movie, and what it was based on. And that part was very fun, but would not watch again. And in fact, this is how I know. I bet you're similar, but if I pick up my phone during it, that means this has not succeeded.
Ashley [00:17:14] Yeah, I did have to watch it in two sitings.
Annie Jones [00:17:19] All right. That is how you know. Okay. What else? Okay. We got to go see the fall guy together.
Ashley [00:17:27] Yeah, we did.
Annie Jones [00:17:29] That was so fun. I miss us.
Ashley [00:17:33] Move to Greensboro. Move The Bookshelf to Greensboro.
Annie Jones [00:17:37] North Carolina has a lot of bookstores. Like, I don't think I could compete.
Ashley [00:17:40] They do, but they don't have the books. No shade to any of the other bookstores here that I love so much.
Annie Jones [00:17:48] You're biased. It's fine. So, it has been a long time since we'd gone to see a movie together, probably since 2023.
Ashley [00:17:55] And I think a Barbie movie.
Annie Jones [00:17:58] Oh my gosh. So, what'd you think? Would you think of Fall Guy.
Ashley [00:18:02] That one I would watch again several times.
Annie Jones [00:18:04] I would do too. I want to go see it in the theatre again.
Ashley [00:18:08] I love it. And now I'm getting served all of these Ryan Gosling interviews on TikTok. And I am quite literally obsessed.
Annie Jones [00:18:15] Keep sending them my way have you seen.
Ashley [00:18:17] Have you seen the clip of him? I think it was Stephen Colbert. And Stephen asks Ryan what his favorite sandwich is, and Ryan just goes, "Ice cream."
Annie Jones [00:18:29] What a good answer.
Ashley [00:18:31] Right.
Annie Jones [00:18:32] The wrong answer, but a good answer.
Ashley [00:18:33] No, they said it's a tough decision when you're thinking about traditional sandwiches, but when you're presented with an ice cream sandwich, it's no question.
Annie Jones [00:18:41] That's true.
Ashley [00:18:42] Genius move, Ryan Gosling.
Annie Jones [00:18:44] I do love sandwiches. But that was a great quick-- I think he's quick. I think he's quick and charming. And I will say I really liked The Fall Guy. I absolutely will go see it again in theaters. It's a very fun summer romp. It's a good time. He sells that movie. He makes that movie. I like Emily Blunt, but I told Jordan-- and maybe you disagree. I didn't even think she was in it as much as I expected her to be in it. I think the movie belongs to Ryan Gosling.
Ashley [00:19:14] In the person.
Annie Jones [00:19:15] It works, I think, because of him.
Ashley [00:19:17] Agreed.
Annie Jones [00:19:19] We did not see this together. We saw Challengers.
Ashley [00:19:24] We saw Challengers.
Annie Jones [00:19:26] I've been waiting to see Challengers for like a year since I think you and I saw the preview like a year and a half ago.
Ashley [00:19:33] Was that a year ago? Oh, my goodness.
Annie Jones [00:19:35] Yeah. Because of the writers’ strike and stuff, it got moved. So, I've been waiting so long. What do you think of this?
Ashley [00:19:42] Okay, I saw this in the theater with some friends and the credits started rolling, and I leaned up in my seat and I was like, what just happened? This is not the movie that I thought I was going to see. I don't really know what I thought I was going to see, but I enjoyed watching it. This one, I don't know if I would watch again, except maybe I would for Zendaya. I don't know, I think I'm still processing this one. Can you tell?
Annie Jones [00:20:08] Yes. Okay, I would go see this one again for sure. This is Jordan's favorite movie of the year so far.
Ashley [00:20:15] Really?
Annie Jones [00:20:17] He loved it. He Could not stop talking about how accurate the tennis was. Was so pleased with how the shots-- like he just was like, oh, the action is so good.
Ashley [00:20:25] Okay, I will say the direction was amazing.
Annie Jones [00:20:27] Yeah, I thought that was fun. And I know I've referenced Gen Z twice, and that typically means you're old. But I do think this is a vibes movie. Like, this is a movie sold on vibes. I think all three actors are great, I really do. I personally prefer Josh. I don't know his name in the movie, but the brunet obviously is who I personally prefer. Shock to no one. He's the jerk in the movie. It doesn't matter. The blond [inaudible] I cannot. I cannot. And so, anyway, I'm rooting for his career. He was in the 2020 adaptation of Emma. He's in The Crown. He plays Prince Charles in The Crown. And so, anyway, I'm rooting for him. I like Zendaya, I think she's fantastic in the movie. But really what it is, is it's sets, its costumes, it's action. I just felt like it's a vibe movie. And then I thought the ending was outstanding. I thought it was so good.
Ashley [00:21:24] Really?
Annie Jones [00:21:25] Yes, I loved it. I really did.
Ashley [00:21:28] Oh, man. Okay. I mean, I did not like it.
Annie Jones [00:21:33] So, The Ringer has a podcast called The Big Picture, and they have an episode about Challengers, and you should listen to it. Basically, the first part is Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins, and they're just talking about the movie together. That's the part you should listen to. There's an interview with the director. I've not listened to that part yet. I just like Amanda and Sean. I like their friendship. I like them talking together. And they talk a lot about Challengers, and it's a fun listen and then will help you maybe process what you thought about it.
Ashley [00:22:06] I got you. Sounds good.
Annie Jones [00:22:07] Did I tell you that I bought, a t-shirt that says, "I Told Ya."
Ashley [00:22:11] I saw it in your notes and you told me you were going to buy it. Listen, why can't I be like you? Because we both see these things, and I'm like, "Wow, I really like that shirt," end of thought. And you're like, wow, I really like that shirt. I'm going to buy it.
Annie Jones [00:22:25] I'm going to find it on the internet and I'm going to buy it. I was especially sold because I saw that it was a JFK Jr reference.
Ashley [00:22:33] Wow!
Annie Jones [00:22:34] Boy did I have a crush on JFK Jr back in the day. And his death was a big deal. Anyway, bought the shirt, got it from etsy.com. Can't wait till it comes. I bought it oversize so I could wear it like Zendaya. I'll report back. I'll let you guys know.
Ashley [00:22:51] Buy some new tennis shoes, a little tennis skirt.
Annie Jones [00:22:54] I was thinking a bike shorts situation.
Ashley [00:22:57] Okay, yeah.
Annie Jones [00:22:59] I haven't done bike shorts since 1998, so thought it might be time.
Ashley [00:23:03] I think, yeah. Go for it.
Annie Jones [00:23:05] Yeah. Okay, what else are you watching that we've not watched together?
Ashley [00:23:09] Yeah. The only other thing that I have is Brooklyn 99. I've started recently.
Annie Jones [00:23:15] Is this your first time?
Ashley [00:23:17] It's my first time. I've been looking for a new comedy, and there's nothing actually new. So, I went to the archives. And a lot of people have been recommending Brooklyn 99, and it's fine.
Annie Jones [00:23:30] Jordan and I watched that, and we like it. But we made it two seasons and then I think we just, I don't know, moved on or something. I really like Andy Samberg; I think he's blandly handsome. I think he's fun. But I don't know if we got distracted or anyway, but we do like that show. But I think we only made it two seasons.
Ashley [00:23:52] Yeah, I don't hate it. I'm just not itching to come home and watch it.
Annie Jones [00:23:55] Okay, well, can I recommend something to you.
Ashley [00:23:57] Please.
Annie Jones [00:23:59] Okay. I don't know if you read this book, but The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary was a super fun book that I want to say I read in 2019/2020. Now it's a show that I think you can watch on Amazon or Paramount plus, so whichever one of those you have. But it is really great. Jordan and I are watching it together. We're only on like the third episode, but basically the premise is that these two Londoners decide to share a flat, like share an apartment, not as traditional roommates, but he gets it from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. because he works the night shift. And so, then he leaves and she gets it from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. And so, all they do is communicate through Post-it notes and stuff. And it's very cute and fun. It's a great book. And so far, the TV adaptation is delightful. I really like it. I don't know if you were a Downton person, but the girl is Lady Sybil from Downton. If you were into them.
Ashley [00:24:59] Okay. I know who that is.
Annie Jones [00:25:01] Okay. She's Lady Sybil. So, anyway, it's just a great time. And then I'll also tell you this, which I think my brother would tell you the same thing. But Survivor. I made the mistake on Instagram of saying I was watching Survivor, and the number of DMs I got. People are very, very into Survivor and they thought I was watching this season. I just need to clarify; I'm just watching old seasons that my brother told me to watch. So, Jordan and I are just making our way through picking and choosing different seasons based on Chet's recommendations. Because during the pandemic, I think he and Becca, his wife, watched them all. But it's fun.
Ashley [00:25:37] Okay, what seasons are you watching?
Annie Jones [00:25:39] I'll send you the list. But we are currently watching a pretty recent season, I think season 44. But we watched season 37, which was David versus Goliath, and that was really great. But I'll send you a list. There's also a list online. But let me tell you something. Let me give you a PSA. You need to Google search "Best survivor season no spoilers." And then let me tell you, you can't read the Google-- you know how Google will auto tell you the answers?
Ashley [00:26:12] Yeah.
Annie Jones [00:26:12] You got to ignore those because Google gives you spoilers. Even though you specifically said no spoilers. And as for me and my algorithm, the first thing that popped up is a very accurate list and it's no spoilers. And so, Chet gave us like our initial probably six seasons that we watched, and now I'm just going off that list. I'll send you a link. I'll put a link in the show notes.
Ashley [00:26:33] Okay. That was one of the please-- and that was one of the first things I noticed when I moved to North Carolina, is how much these people love survivor.
Annie Jones [00:26:43] Really?
Ashley [00:26:44] Yeah. I feel left out. So, I think I'm probably going to start with the most recent season, just in case anybody wants to converse, because I'm looking for some new friends here in town. But that's a good idea.
Annie Jones [00:26:55] Yeah. Bring that up with your Publix cashier.
Ashley [00:26:57] Yeah, exactly.
Annie Jones [00:27:00] Okay, I'll put a link in the show notes to the list that we're kind of going off of. Because I can't really share a text. Because that's what my brother sent me. It was just a text recommendation. But, yeah, we really like it. And it's a nice-- like you just said, when you get home, you're not really wanting to turn on Brooklyn 99. Like, when we get home, if there's nothing else going on, we like turning on Survivor. It's fun and entertaining to us. Okay. Does that cover watching?
Ashley [00:27:31] It does.
Annie Jones [00:27:33] I think it does. We watched a lot, actually. I'm proud of us.
Ashley [00:27:35] Me too.
Annie Jones [00:27:36] What are you listening to?
Ashley [00:27:37] Okay. Do you want to talk about the main thing first, or do we get the other stuff out of the way?
Annie Jones [00:27:42] Well, save it. Do the other things first.
Ashley [00:27:45] Okay. I have one song and one artist for you.
Annie Jones [00:27:50] Okay.
Ashley [00:27:51] The song is Carry Me by the Secret Sisters.
Annie Jones [00:27:54] Okay. I don't think I know this.
Ashley [00:27:56] You don't. Okay. I was needing some new music. Listen, I moved to a new place, and I uprooted my life and so nothing was the same. And that meant I didn't even want my music to be the same. Not on purpose, my old music wasn't cutting it. And one thing that does cut it for me is good harmonies. And so, I googled playlists with good harmonies, and this is one of the songs that was on that playlist. It's not a happy song, but it's a very good song. And then the artist is The Lasses. I believe they're Scottish, but they sing Irish, Scottish, American folk type things. Specifically, the songs Follow the Heron, which I don't believe belongs to them, but they do sing it. And then there's another song called Bonnie George Campbell. Both songs that I got for the harmonies and I think you would enjoy.
Annie Jones [00:28:58] All right, I'm going to look those up. We're going talk big in a second, but the other thing that I've been listening to is Jess Ray. So, I've been aware of her music for a long time. She's a folk Christian artist, but I follow her on Instagram now, and she's a great Instagram follow. But she has two albums that she's released this year that kind of pair with each other, and forgive my pronunciation because I did not look up how to pronounce these. But Martin Matin: Rest, and Matin: Love. I'm assuming Matin means something, but I don't know what it is. And so, I just listen to the albums and basically, it's her beautiful renditions of hymns and interludes. Oh my gosh, I was listening to it one night, and Jordan was like, what is that? Because he thought it was such a beautiful adaptation of some hymns that we really love. And so, if you're just looking for soul songs, soul soothing songs, I think Jess Ray would be for you. Okay, and then there was Taylor.
Ashley [00:30:04] TTPD.
Annie Jones [00:30:05] First of all. Do you remember when we went to see her live a year ago?
Ashley [00:30:08] It was just over a year ago and we were so happy. It was such a good time. I want to go see her again because I just want to chase that high. And I also need to see the updated set list in person.
Annie Jones [00:30:22] I know I'm a little miffed about the updated set list because I kept seeing videos and I was like, I don't have FOMO. I don't live in Europe. This is fine. And then all of a sudden, I saw the TTPD. Why is it T-T? Because The Tortured Poets? That's so dumb. Anyway, well and then TPD would be Thomasville or Tallahassee Police Department.
Ashley [00:30:43] Very true.
Annie Jones [00:30:46] If you live locally. Anyway, but when I saw her TTPD dress, I was like, oh dang it! Now I do have FOMO.
Ashley [00:30:53] It's the Who's Afraid of Little Old Me live. It gets me so good.
Annie Jones [00:30:59] Okay. I haven't seen any video footage.
Ashley [00:31:02] Look it up. It's so good. The transition from The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived to Who's Afraid of Little Old Me.
Annie Jones [00:31:12] How many songs does she do from TTPD? And does it substitute what got cut?
Ashley [00:31:18] Listen, I don't know what all got cut except for Long Live. And I think it's just not in the cards for me to see Long Live live, even though that's my favorite song of all time. So, I think she cut five or six songs and now there are 5 or 6 torture Poets department songs.
Annie Jones [00:31:37] I think she combined-- which I think this was smart. I think she combined Folklore and Evermore into one.
Ashley [00:31:44] Yeah.
Annie Jones [00:31:44] I think that was smart. Because Folklore is one of my favorite albums. But those parts-- and this might be a minority opinion. But they were the-- people are going to get mad. They were the sleepiest part of the concert to me. And I say that as somebody who loves folklore, there's just a very different vibe album-wise.
Ashley [00:32:04] It's a totally different vibe. It's a totally different show, honestly.
Annie Jones [00:32:07] Yes. And so, it makes sense to me that she combined those. But I kept wondering how did she add songs and choreography? Like, what did she move? How does it all fit? And I'm sure it does beautifully because I do think she's a genius at that kind of stuff. But we have not spoken since this album released. So, we texted our initial thoughts with your sister, my cousin Caroline, it was hilarious. Caroline could give or take Taylor. And so, anyway, but I'm curious if your opinions have changed where TTPD falls for you. What are you thinking about like, I don't know, a month, two months in?
Ashley [00:32:47] Okay. So, I actually really like this album. And there are only a handful of songs that I skip. I'm in the place now where I have, like, I don't know, five or so songs that I love, that I go to and I skip everything else. But like the rest of the album, I will still listen to. There's only couple that I don't need to listen to, and that's Down Bad because I feel like I listen to it involuntarily because other people are listening to it and posting it, but I really like everything else.
Annie Jones [00:33:18] Somebody posted-- maybe it was Kate Kennedy of The Author Podcaster. But I think she posted that she has discovered it makes great ambient noise. And maybe it's because that was the first way I experienced the album. I was listening to it like on a writing day. And I do think a lot of the songs, because they do have very similar sounds, I actually do think it is a good album for background music. But I have like eight songs that I really like. I don't know where this is going to fall in terms of albums for me. 1989, I think is my favorite. Although, did I tell you what me and Jordan are doing?
Ashley [00:33:55] Did you tell me you're doing your, like, not March Madness thing, but you're going through them all, basically?
Annie Jones [00:34:01] Yeah. And really, I should give credit to listener, and friend of the podcast, Donna, who did this Taylor ranking thing last summer and I just fell off the bandwagon. Did you do that?
Ashley [00:34:12] I completed it.
Annie Jones [00:34:13] You did?
Ashley [00:34:14] Yeah.
Annie Jones [00:34:15] So do you think you can go back and complete it? Did you have to do it in real time with her?
Ashley [00:34:18] I mean, nothing happened. It's just a spreadsheet.
Annie Jones [00:34:21] So it's just a spreadsheet. So, I could go back and access the spreadsheet. That's what I wanted to know. Okay. Because I kind of fell off the bandwagon, as I am want to do with things because it's very hard to keep up with all the things. But between her and then I follow--do you follow Claire from online?
Ashley [00:34:37] Yes, I do.
Annie Jones [00:34:38] Oh, she's such a fun-- she's one of my favorite follows. But she did a Taylor ranking. So, Jordan and I had a season where we were home together over a couple of weeks, a few months ago. And Jordan brought home a Taylor Swift magazine that ranks-- it's Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone. It's his list of her 113 songs, and we're listening to them. Jordan and I both are because he was like, "I need to know what my Taylor ranking is." And he said, "I need to know what my albums are." So, we're doing that. We're listening to those 113 songs and trying to rank them. And then we're going to figure out what our favorite albums are based on that. And I want to see if the data matches my gut because my gut is my favorite albums are 1989 and Folklore, but it will be interesting to see if the song data back set up. Which that's a long-winded way of me saying I don't know where TTPD is going to land on my album rankings. I also probably only have listened to the back half-- what were those called?
Ashley [00:35:39] The anthology?
Annie Jones [00:35:40] Yeah, the anthology. I probably only listened to the anthology a couple of times, because I already kind of narrowed down to two songs that I really like. So, what are some of your favorite songs?
Ashley [00:35:53] Okay, I'm going to give you my top five. Please hold.
[00:35:55] Okay.
[00:35:55] It's so funny because my top five is different now than when it was at first, but not necessarily in this order. LOML, The Bolter, The alchemy. I'm pausing so that I can hear your little interjection.
Annie Jones [00:36:15] Interesting.
Ashley [00:36:16] The prophecy. And My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys.
Annie Jones [00:36:22] Okay, that is the only one that you named that I like. And it's not on my top five.
Ashley [00:36:27] Really?
Annie Jones [00:36:29] Yes. Our Venn diagram does not overlap here.
Ashley [00:36:33] Wow! Okay. What are yours?
Annie Jones [00:36:35] Okay. How many did I list here? I listed eight. I could possibly narrow down to five if I thought about it. But I will just tell you that the song that I listen to the most is I Can Do It With a Broken Heart, and that is because I love a bop, and also because it is my current life anthem. I love-- and this is an unpopular opinion, but I love Fortnite. I liked it.
Ashley [00:36:56] I didn't know that was unpopular. That was one of my first favorites.
Annie Jones [00:36:59] I really like that song. I can't tell you why, but I really like it. I like The Tortured Poets Department. I like But Daddy I Love Him. I think that song is hilarious.
Ashley [00:37:11] It's a good one.
Annie Jones [00:37:13] Some of her writing on this album is fascinating to me. Like how she's playing with language and the words she's able to squeeze in to like certain-- like this number of syllables she's able to squeeze into a note is honestly astonishing. Okay, where am I now? Torture Poets, Down Bad. I like So Long London, but it's too sad to listen to frequently. But I really do like it.
Ashley [00:37:37] That's one that I skip. I always skip So Long London.
Annie Jones [00:37:39] It's so sad. It's just so sad. And then I like The Black Dog and So High School. Those are the two from The Anthology that I like.
Ashley [00:37:47] I've been listening to So High School a lot. The Black Dog was one of my first favorites. My first favorites were Thank You Amy and the Black Dog.
Annie Jones [00:37:54] I liked Thank You Amy too at first. I just think sometimes it's better for me not to know the things the songs are about and just for me to interpret them however I want.
Ashley [00:38:05] Yeah, agree.
Annie Jones [00:38:08] Sometimes I don't need [crosstalk] I'm grateful.
Ashley [00:38:10] Can we just have a song and relate to it in our own way?
Annie Jones [00:38:14] Exactly. Sometimes I just need the song to mean something for me.
Ashley [00:38:17] Yes. That is my thought about this. Because 31 songs is a lot to try to find Easter eggs in, and I will tell you, I'm not going to do that.
Annie Jones [00:38:27] It is, and it is a lot of songs. I saw that the New York Times said that she needed an editor. Here's what I'll say. I appreciate because I'll never forget Folklore coming out right when we needed it. Do you know what I mean? So, I'm grateful to the artists who just keep doing the work so that we can have a distraction from what is happening in life. So, I'm never going to turn my nose up at more content. I will also say that it can be overwhelming. So, when she released the album, I was like, great, let me listen to this album. And then it was like, oh, here's more. And that is honestly how sometimes the bonus tracks feel to me, the deluxe editions. It can feel like a lot, but I just choose to consume what I want to consume. And that to me would be my suggestion to people who are like, "Oh, it's too much." Well, don't consume it. You don't have to. You can do it however you want. The back half of the album to me, I just haven't listened to it as much. But of The Anthology, I liked The Black Dog and I like So High School. And so that'd be my little edit, I guess, is those eight songs. You know what? Keep doing what she's doing. Do you think she's going to release Reputation before the end of the year?
Ashley [00:39:42] Man, I thought she was going to release Reputation in February, so I don't know what's going on. I just know that I need it, and I really need her debut album re-released. It's not that her debut album isn't like my number one favorite, but it's probably my number two favorite for emotional purposes, and I need it.
Annie Jones [00:40:00] Well, it will be neat to hear her sing Tim McGraw in her adult voice.
Ashley [00:40:07] I know. I'm going to cry so much.
Annie Jones [00:40:09] Yeah, I think she'll save it for last.
Ashley [00:40:12] I just hope that this isn't her farewell TTPD.
Annie Jones [00:40:19] Yeah, because what else are you supposed to do after this? You've re-released all your stuff and you have the tour that nobody can ever measure up to.
Annie Jones [00:40:28] Yeah, I do think it's going to be hard. I do think maybe it's just the end of this era and who knows? I mean, she's extremely talented and I think she also loves what she does. So, I don't see her quitting anytime soon, but what she chooses to do might look different, I don't know. But I do agree with you that it could be a-- I don't really know how you top the tour, I really don't. What are we buying? I'm buying so many things. Tis the season. Retail therapy. Does it work? I don't know, but I'm trying it.
Ashley [00:41:01] I am not buying as many things. I do have some things on my list that I think you will enjoy. Do want me to rapid fire or do you want to take turns?
Annie Jones [00:41:08] Do rapid fire because I already told you my "I Told Ya” t-shirt.
Ashley [00:41:12] Okay, first of all, there's a shop called the Shiny Bits. It's for stationary. And it's owned by Brandi Kincaid, who I met on the internet. She has a dog just like my dog whose back legs don't work anymore.
Annie Jones [00:41:27] Yes, I've seen her.
Ashley [00:41:31] She's so nice and she's such a wonderful artist. I bought so many postcards and stickers and no cards. I just love her style. And she makes these little bundles that you can get too. It's very cute. And then also, chomps. Meat sticks.
Annie Jones [00:41:52] I've seen these. Do I need these?
Ashley [00:41:55] You do. Listen, I buy the turkey ones, because I don't do beef. But they do have beef ones. And I think a couple weeks ago-- I don't know if it'll still be on there if you go back and listen-- but The Popcast was running ads for chomps, which I was kind of bummed because I was like, this is the thing that only I know about, but now The Popcast knows about it. But, yeah, they're a great source of protein, a great snack, good for on the go. And as a meat eater, the meat eater you are, you would enjoy them.
Annie Jones [00:42:26] I've had these on my list to look into because I saw them from Claire from online.
Ashley [00:42:31] They sell the mini version at Publix, but they have the normal size version, which is what I prefer at Trader Joe's.
Annie Jones [00:42:39] Okay. I got to go there for some flowers, so I'll add these to my list. Okay. I bought a bunch of new artworks for my house because in some spring sprucing and cleaning, I kind of rearranged. Mom came over and we did some new bed sheets and comforter for my bedroom, which meant then we used what was in our main bedroom in the guest bedroom. And, anyway, now I love both bedrooms; they both look so nice. But we have a giant-- and it does feel giant. It's the biggest piece of artwork I think we own leftover. It was in Jordan's first apartment as a single person. And it's a beautiful piece of art that's like-- but nerd alert, Jordan and I met in a great books class, and this is a painting of Dante encountering Beatrice for the first time. I am so curious how many people will even know what any of that means. But anyway, that's the painting that's been hanging over our bed for, I think, at minimum 10 years.
[00:43:47] Because it's the biggest piece of artwork we own, so there's only a few places in our home that it could work because we've always lived on the smaller side homes. Anyway, so my mom was like, "Do you still like that artwork?" Because my mom has been wanting us to get different artwork forever, and I really still don't mind it. Is it still the vibe? I don't know, but also big artwork is very expensive. So, I did some asking online and got some great recommendations. And Jordan and I are going to Paris this summer, and I had narrowed it down to a bunch of things, but I finally settled on a really large, beautiful art print from Museum Quality Art. That still was pricey because of the size I needed, but is coming to me framed. That was a big deal to me. I wanted it already framed because framing also was very expensive. And also, that was one more like thing to do, so I wanted the artwork to already come framed. So, I bought this piece from Museum Quality Art. But you know if you give a mouse a cookie or a mouse a muffin.
[00:44:49] So then I also was like, well, there's giant word art hanging in our living room, that was like an original Lindsay Letters print from 10 years ago. And word art comes and goes in terms of being in or not. And I am a firm believer in put whatever you want in your house. But I did think I'm not sure I like this here anymore. I'm not going to get rid of it. I'm going to save it or hang it in a different room. But I bought a new Lindsay Letters print that it's a giant peaco*ck and all the colors of our living room, but also an homage to Flannery O'Connor, because she grew peaco*cks-- grew, raised. And so, anyway, very excited about that. And then I was like, well, why not do some things in the kitchen. So, I bought a new art print for the kitchen, and then a poem about tomato sandwiches that I'm going to hang. And it's going to make me so happy all summer long. I'm going to hang it over my sink.
Ashley [00:45:49] I love that.
Annie Jones [00:45:50] So I'm going to put links in the show notes to some different artists that I discovered. I also-- because of course, then I went down a rabbit hole. I found this woman and I couldn't afford her big art pieces, so instead I bought like her five by sevens and I bought three of them. And one came today and it's like a coastal print, so it looks like the beach. Anyway, so lots of fun stuff. Rugged and Fancy was the name of one. And then that's where I got the coastal prints. And then Maria Geisbrecht is a poet, and that's where I got the poem about tomato sandwiches. Okay. And then the last thing that I'm going to recommend is I follow-- I think she's a great follow, and she lives in Charlotte.
[00:46:30] I don't know her real name. Delancy might be her real name, but her Instagram handle is @tremonthome, and I love her for her home design. I just think she's got a great eye. She's got a great esthetic. But, of course, she was posting about her makeup routine, and I am a sucker. Show me what's in your bag. Show me what you put on your face. And I'm going to be interested. I might not adopt it for myself, but I'm going to be interested. Well, I loved her foundation so much, I bought it. I splurged, and I bought it. But she also-- and I'd already seen these advertised, but her skin sold me on it. Have you heard of Isle of Paradise? I feel like you have.
Ashley [00:47:12] I don't know, maybe.
Annie Jones [00:47:13] Do you use Isle of Paradise?
Ashley [00:47:15] I definitely not.
Annie Jones [00:47:16] Isle of Paradise is like a little dropper. I bought the tiny size, which was only $15. And basically, she has the medium. I bought the light because I'm pasty. And basically, before you put on your makeup, but with your moisturizer, you put-- I've just been putting one drop. You're supposed to put one to 12. I'm to0 chicken.
Ashley [00:47:39] One to 12?
Annie Jones [00:47:40] Yes. One to 12, depending on how dark you want to be. And I am afraid of Ross from friends, so I just do one drop with my moisturizer every other day. And I think it has given me a nice glow. I don't feel like it's too much, probably because I'm not using enough, but I'm terrified of orange hands. You know what I mean?
Ashley [00:48:03] I had those. Yeah.
Annie Jones [00:48:05] Yes, I'm terrified of that. And so, anyway, I highly recommend giving Isle of Paradise 10 drops a go. Because $15, what an easy try. It'll take me forever to go through the small container. But do what she told me to do, or she told the internet to do, because then somebody tagged her because they didn't read the directions so they just put the whole dropper in and rubbed it all over their face. Which is not how you do that.
Ashley [00:48:38] Did they turn into Ross Geller?
Annie Jones [00:48:40] They showed a picture and I don't know what their original skin tone was like. They looked fine, but I'm very much a person that does things in moderation anyway. And so, I'm being very cautious, but I like the cautious results I have received in return.
Ashley [00:48:57] That's good to know, because I do believe I'm headed down the path of looking like a suitcase when I'm 60 years old, so that seems like a pretty good alternative.
Annie Jones [00:49:07] I do think just because you are like a little alligator, you just love the sun so much.
Ashley [00:49:12] I love the sun, but it's so bad for my skin.
Annie Jones [00:49:16] Yeah. Watch out. You will be so wrinkled.
Ashley [00:49:20] I'll be wrinkled, but I'll be happy.
Annie Jones [00:49:21] Wrinkled and happy. That's all that matters. So, yeah, I thought of you and I tried them. Because you're the person I know who tries some of those tan-- you and my mom both I think try some self-tanning stuff. And I'm always too scared, but this stuff, you might want to give it a go.
Ashley [00:49:38] Okay. I wrote it down.
Annie Jones [00:49:40] Okay. Ashley, what a delight! Thank you so much. Happy summertime. Your favorite season.
Ashley [00:49:45] Happy summer indeed.
Annie Jones [00:49:46] Are you happy? Is summer are going to be fun for you? How are you feeling?
Ashley [00:49:49] I feel very hopeful.
Annie Jones [00:49:51] Okay, great. That's all we know. That's all we want. Okay. Thank you so much. We'll see you next time. This week I'm listening to Pierce Oysters by Jocelyn Takacs. Ashley, what are you reading?
Ashley [00:50:06] I'm reading Funny Story by Emily Henry.
[00:50:10] 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:
fromthefrontporchpodcast.com
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, Linda Lee Drozt, Martha, Stephanie Dean, Ashley Ferrell, Jennifer Bannerton
Executive Producers (Read Their Own Names): Nicole Marsee, Wendi Jenkins, 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.
