Welcome to From the Front porch, a conversational podcast about books, small business, and life in the South.

It's not that Laura thinks Isabelle is right, exactly. It's just that she can't figure out what she thinks.

It's not that Laura thinks Isabelle is right, exactly. It's just that she can't figure out how exactly Isabelle is wrong.

It can't be true, of course. God, how could she stand if it were true? If all the things Laura loves are somehow already irredeemably broken.

If her love for them makes her heedless at best, at worst, selfish and cruel, the way Isabelle says.

It's just that when Isabelle says things, Laura believes them, and when Virginia says things, Laura believes them too.

It's just that Laura knows she is so soft, soft enough that anyone can shape her, and she knows enough to know this softness makes her weak.

Tara Isabella Burton. The world cannot give.

I'm Annie Jones, owner of the Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in beautiful downtown Thomasville, Georgia, and this week we're trying a new episode format all about back to school book flights.

I'll be joined in conversation by Bookshelf Retail Floor Manager, Olivia Schaeffer, and bookseller, Kila Kohn.

Before we get started, as most of you know, one of our main goals for 2022 is to grow the show to 10,000 listeners.

Right now, we are a community of almost 8,000, which is amazing, and the best way to grow the show is to have our listeners leave a review on Apple podcasts.

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 right a review, and then tell us what you think.

This week's review comes from Benny's mom, one, two, three.

This podcast is like cozying up in a warm blanket with a good book, or having coffee with wise, funny, and genuine friends.

Annie covers books, business owning, life in the South, pop culture, and more, with grace and humor.

I adore everyone she has on his guests as well.

As a longtime listener, I finally had a chance to visit the Bookshelf last fall, and it was pure magic.

Thank you, Annie, for the goodness you put into the world through your shop and this podcast.

Thank you, Benny's mom, and thank you to all of our listeners who have left reviews for the show over the last few months.

We can definitely see a difference in the show's reach, and with every new listener we get closer to reaching our goal, and to growing our small business.

So thank you.

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