I don't think I've ever read a memoir where I've related to the author's mindset and lifestyle this much. I felt very seen by the idea that ordinary, quiet, and consistent lives can be just as fulfilling or exciting as loud, adventurous, ever-changing ones. That being said, I don't think I got much out of this book because the messaging was nothing new to me. I was also expecting more of a cohesive memoir about a small town independent bookstore owner, but it was more like a collection of essays about various topics all related to a central theme of slow living and staying put. There were some very touching excerpts though and I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was already a fan of the podcast.

Thank you to HarperOne and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy of this book!

In Ordinary Time, Annie’s voice is earnest and accessible, and she’s open about her decisions to stay put and lead a quiet life. Because I also married the man I met when I was a teenager and seek a quieter life than other people I know, I thought that I would relate more to her, but ultimately, I just didn’t feel like the right reader for this book.

Because I did leave my hometown and start a new life in a big city, the messages here didn’t resonate as much with me, so I decided not to finish after 15%. I know that this book resonates with so many people and I think it’s beautifully written, it’s just a case of me not being quite the right reader for it! I also didn’t realize how much faith would play into the narrative, which was an element that I couldn’t personally relate to but I know that other readers will.

Overall, I think it’s a great book for so many people but ultimately just not right for me at this stage in my life!

A book that feels like you’re sitting on the front porch with Annie as you hear about some of the pivotal (and more ordinary) moments of her life. I appreciated the author’s vulnerability - her willingness to express doubt and admit that even now she doesn’t know all the answers. A lovely read of beautiful reflections.

Annie B. Jones is the owner of small-town bookstore The Bookshelf, as well as the host of the podcast "From the Front Porch." She has been a personal Instagram follow of mine for quite a while, so I was excited to see that she was authoring her first book! This book, "Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put", fights against the idea that we have to leave our hometowns and do something newsworthy in order to live an accomplished life. Jones asserts that staying put and planting roots is a courageous act as well. I especially resonated with her section about faith and the difficult decisions she and her husband have made in that area.

Jones is honest, transparent, and genuine in her writing and invites her readers into her thoughts and emotions. I enjoyed this book and appreciate Jones cheering for those of us who don't travel far. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones--I loved this collection of essays by bookstore owner & podcaster Annie B. Jones. She writes about her ordinary life and staying in a place when others come and go. There are essays about work, family, community, books, church, and the things we all deal with as people. Her writing is lovely and warm. Definitely pick this one up when it releases on 4/22 if you enjoy essays. Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the advance copy.

I can't say enough good things about this lovely, contented series of essays that champion blooming where you are planted. I follow several Instagram accounts of people who live in Thomasville, Georgia, so I have seen the quaint charm that makes this town special. But to hear about it from a person who moved there and somewhat accidentally acquired a bookstore was just beyond charming. It is the perfect book to read in your twenties, then revisit in your thirties and forties, and beyond.

Through each season of life the author reflects on what she has learned, and I felt such a kinship with her experiences in a way I haven't felt since I was in my twenties or as a new mother looking to feel seen. I was so surprised to connect so deeply with her writing and her advocacy for simplicity. I highly recommend this book for book clubs and women of all ages.

Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put, is our book. I could have read it in one day, but I made myself stop. And when I turned the last page, I wanted to start back over and read it again. Annie Jones wrote this one for us, for the ones who stayed. The world shouts for us to move on, to make changes, to toss out the old. And yet, through the hardships and even the loneliness, we stayed—in small towns, in struggling church congregations, in routine jobs. We weathered struggling friendships and the ups and downs of marriages, and for better or for worse, we stayed put.

I was not prepared for the impact that this book delivered. So much of it was chapter and verse of the life so many women, like me, have lived. Society embraces the idea of constant change. Relationships fade, friends move away, and family dynamics shift, but we tenaciously cling to ours and nurture them back to life.

This memoir encourages readers to search for contentment right where we are. We are rooted here, and we’ll bloom or bust right here! This book is about holding on, which means that we sometimes have to let go of those insignificant things that don’t matter anyway. Instead, we pass along thoughtfulness, honesty, compassion, mercy, and an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder at this one life we have to live. What inspiration I found throughout the text, like the call to be the calm in the storm. Annie’s collection of stories is about our staying seasons. Whether we choose to stay or are forced to remain, our days can still be full of light, of promise, and of hope.

A book for the stayers. A look into the gifts of living an ordinary life and challenging the idea that loud lives and bold moves are better or more fulfilling.

Full disclosure: I’m not a podcast person so I had no idea who Annie was when I requested this book. I loved the color and the description was interesting; that was enough for me. Never in a million years did I think I was about to read one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read. Truly. I was immediately enamored, as Annie described ordinary life in such an extraordinary way.

I made so many highlights and notes throughout my ebook, it’s wild. So much of what Annie touched on was incredibly relatable (minus the religion pieces, and even those I could find parallels for some) I found myself wondering if we were long lost twins or something (and not just bc we both had a 90s obsession with twins).

I highly recommend for anyone who has ever struggled with feeling different than everyone else, maybe a bit behind the curve, or a little strange about how different life turned out differently than you expected. I feel very seen, understood, and less alone. More ok. It feels weird to say this book changed my life, but it kind of did.

I really loved this little book. Jones adds in her history with organized religion without pushing one set of beliefs over another. I saw a lot of myself in this novel and enjoyed her point of view. It is a wonderful book for book lovers.

I absolutely loved this book because it brings comfort to those that want to stay where they are, despite the strong urge, from friends and society, to get out and explore the world. Some people don't want to and that is fine, but finding content about their choice is still hard when you hear so many voices coming at you. I loved reading about Annie B. Jones day to day and I would definitely read this again.

I have been listening to Annie B. Jones's podcast, From the Front Porch, for years, so I was delighted to receive an ARC of her upcoming book, Ordinary Time. This is a book of essays about staying put while those around you leave. It's a comforting reflection on and celebration of a life lived quietly. Just because a life is ordinary does not make it any less important or meaningful. This book was a delight!

A tender, and honest look at what it means to stay. I’ve often wondered what my life would looks like if I had stayed in my hometown, and I’m also at the same time very thankful that I left. The experiences I’ve had shaped who I am just as much as the author’s staying shaped her. A thoughtful, thought-provoking read.

United States Publication: April 22, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperOne for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

*Normally, I do not rate memoirs or memoir-adjacent titles. However, I have assigned one to this title since NetGalley requires a rating.*

Annie Jones, owner of the independent bookstore The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia, and host of the podcast From the Front Porch, is finally becoming a published author herself with this book of essays about living an adventurous life without moving, literally or figuratively. The first half or so of this book followed that theme. The essays were on point with that idea. But then. Then, they shifted, and I couldn't find the theme. The essays became just general thoughts and ideas about life; they didn't connect to the overall concept behind the book. That's when I started checking out. I further disconnected from the book when Jones wrote several essays about her faith, but I didn't care for them. Part of that is my personal hang-ups, but part of it is that they felt out of place. In my opinion, they belonged in a different book of essays centered on religion and faith. So, while the book started out well for me, it ended on a rather "meh" note for me.

If you ever wanted to read a book about "bloom where you're planted" this could be it.
Annie Jones gently develops her idea about staying put while others are leaving, and what an ordinary life can mean to you.
For example, she examines her courtship and marriage, and admits she didn't have a 'meet-cute'. But you know it was all still meaningful to her and she wouldn't change any of it.
She leaves one stressful job, to start another stressful job, but this one is more 'her' and is a dream come true.
By describing her roles as bookseller and bookshop owner Annie provides insight on the Southern town she now lived in. She basically describes what it's like to "pay your dues" before people will trust you, or even be friendly to you. Which was kind of sad that it took ten years!
This book part explanation of philosophy/faith and part reminiscence/memoir. There are ample amounts of everything.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-book ARC. My honest review contains my thoughts about this book.

These thoughtful, personal essays illuminate webs of connections in the author’s life—with friends and strangers, with place and community, with relatives and the past, even with pets. The stories develop the theme of considering the ordinary as something worth honoring and even aspiring to. It’s a lovely book, and you may feel like you’ve made an extraordinary new friend after reading it.

I so much adored this book. A fan of Nora Ephron movies, Annie decides to open a bookshop in a small town. Is she in over her head? What will happen when the 2020 pandemic hits? A book of sitting back, reflecting, books and what really matters. Beautiful writing.

A gorgeous novel that harnesses the small town vibes of every little place you ever wanted to live. I could immediately empathize with wanting to live the big-city life but being so comfortable and loved by the small town life that I didn't know which way to turn. "Ordinary Time" is a fantastic read.

It’s been a long time since nonfiction got right to my heart the way this book did.
Annie B. Jones has been in my ears via her podcast for the better part of the last 8 years and I’ve so enjoyed her intermittent newsletters as well. But nothing could have prepared me for how refreshing and insightful her longform writing would be.
Annie uses the space a book affords to share insights and tell some of the most delightful stories, while also revealing so much of her heart.
While I do not relate to Annie’s life lived close to her hometown, I do so appreciate her ability to find joy in the ordinary.

I love Annie's podcast and was so excited to get an ARC of her new release. She writes from her own experiences of staying put when everyone around her/the culture of now is to move on and chase one's dreams. She writes in the form of essays- some you will love and they will resonate deeply with you. Some maybe not. For those who are a fan of Annie/her podcast/her bookstore I think you will love this read. This book is a great reminder to soak up the little moments

This was a great book. It was totally unexpected since I was expecting a different type of book. Very enjoyable read.