From Bookstore Owner to Author: Annie B. Jones on Owning The Bookshelf & Her New Book

Jamie Tarence sits down with her niece-in-law, Annie B. Jones—author, podcaster, and owner of The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA—to talk about her small business, her new book, and finding beauty in an ordinary life. Annie shares her journey from bookstore owner to first-time author, the heart behind her newly-released book Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put, and how she's learned to stay rooted and content in a fast-paced world.

EPISODE AT A GLANCE:

• How Annie became the owner of The Bookshelf 13 years ago and how it has grown to serve readers across the nation

• The Bookshelf’s book subscriptions, podcast, events, and gift ideas for kids

• What the writing process looked like—writing a book proposal, working with literary agent and Creative Director Jonathan Merritt, and choosing a meaningful title

• What inspired the title Ordinary Time and how it reflects her message of finding beauty in everyday life

BOOKS & AUTHORS MENTIONED:

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
• Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
• Children's books: 

• • Sandra Boynton books

  • Giraffes Can’t Dance

  • Goodnight Moon

  • Each Peach Pear Plum

  • It Looked Like Spilt Milk

  • Pat the Bunny

  • Guess How Much I Love You

  • Paddington stories

• Annie’s favorite authors:
  • Marilynne Robinson
  • Elizabeth Strout
  • Anne Patchett’s nonfiction books
  • Lyndsay Rush’s poetry

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Annie’s Podcast: From the Front Porch

• Buy  Annie’s Book Ordinary Time from The Bookshelf or Amazon (available on Kindle & audiobook)

• The Bookshelf Subscriptions

• Annie’s Website

• Join Annie’s Patreon Book Club

• Read