Annie B. Jones is a familiar name for those who love independent bookstores and thoughtful literary discussions. As the owner of The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA, and host of the From the Front Porch podcast, Annie curates conversations around books with warmth and insight. Her debut book, Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put, is a collection of essays that reflect on the beauty and challenge of staying rooted in one place. Her reflections on faith, family, and the quiet joys of everyday life resonate deeply, particularly for those who have navigated changes in belief while maintaining ties to a beloved community (Hi, that’s me too!). This review explores the book’s themes, its emotional impact, and how it might inspire meaningful book club discussions.
I am grateful to the publishers who shared an advanced copy of this book with me through NetGalley before its release on April 22.
*We use affiliate links to share products with you. If you use the link to make a purchase, the cost of the book doesn’t go up for you. However, we will receive a commission and we do appreciate your support.
Summary
Ordinary Time is a series of essays chronicling Annie’s experiences of staying in one place physically while still growing and evolving. She explores themes of faith, community, family relationships, and personal identity. Throughout the collection, she revisits her Southern upbringing, her changing relationship with church, and the unexpected joys of an ordinary life. Essays like “Everybody Writes About Sisters” and “Book Club” highlight her deeply personal yet universally relatable reflections. Through humor, nostalgia, and poignant storytelling, she offers a meditation on what it means to stay put when the world tells us to keep moving.
Analysis and Evaluation
Faith, Change, and the Complexity of Home
One of the most compelling aspects of Ordinary Time is how Annie navigates her relationship with faith and her church community. As someone who has also experienced a shift in belief while remaining geographically close to my childhood church, I found her reflections incredibly relatable. She writes about loving the people and traditions of her past while recognizing that her personal faith has evolved. Her ability to express this tension without bitterness or disillusionment is a beautiful display to her grace as a writer. Belonging acknowledges both comfort and discomfort in the places we call home.
Family Dynamics and Sibling Bonds
In “Everybody Writes About Sisters,” Annie shifts the focus to her relationship with her brother. Even as someone with two sisters, I found myself deeply connecting with her reflections. My middle sister and I have a dynamic much like Annie and her brother—we aren’t necessarily best friends, but we share a deep understanding. Our conversations pick up effortlessly, and our shared love for books creates an unspoken bond. This essay highlights how sibling relationships evolve over time, and how admiration and connection can exist even in relationships that aren’t traditionally close.
The Unexpected Adventure in Staying Put
I have always admired an adventurous spirit and once dreamed of a life filled with travel. In fact, from high school until about five years post-college, I traveled regularly and thrived on planning my next trip. But just as much as I loved leaving, I also loved coming home. Somehow, I ended up putting that live aside as I moved back to my hometown and settled down. Annie’s reflections on staying put remind us that adventure isn’t just about movement—it can be found in deep relationships, meaningful work, and the simple joys of everyday moments. She references cultural touchpoints that resonated with me as well—the Atlanta Braves, the band Relient K—adding a personal layer to her essays that made them feel like conversations with a friend.
The Power of Literary Community
The essay “Book Club” struck a particularly strong chord with me. Annie captures the unique magic of finding friendships through literature. Book clubs provide a space where deep, personal conversations emerge naturally, and where people can feel seen and heard. This aligns beautifully with my own experiences leading The Literary Moms’ Book Club, where discussions extend far beyond the books we read. Ordinary Time is a perfect book club selection because it invites reflection on how we build community through reading and shared experiences.
Book Club Suggestions
Discussion Questions:
- Annie writes about the complexity of staying in one place. Have you ever felt a tension between staying and leaving? How do you relate to her perspective?
- In “Everybody Writes About Sisters,” Annie reflects on her relationship with her brother. How do sibling dynamics shape our identities, and how does this essay reflect your own experiences?
- Faith and community play a large role in Ordinary Time. How do Annie’s reflections align with or differ from your own journey with faith and belonging?
- The book celebrates the beauty of everyday moments. What are some ordinary but meaningful routines or relationships in your own life?
- In “Book Club,” Annie explores the power of literary friendships. How have books connected you to others in unexpected ways?
Pairing Suggestions:
If your book club enjoys Ordinary Time, consider pairing it with these books for future discussions:
- The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile – A look at how the Enneagram shapes our understanding of ourselves and our relationships.
- I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet by Shauna Niequist – Another deeply personal reflection on faith, change, and growth.
- One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp – A book that invites readers to embrace gratitude as a transformative practice and encourages us to find joy in everyday moments, discovering the sacred in the ordinary.
Final Thoughts
Reading Ordinary Time felt like sitting across from Annie over a cup of coffee, nodding along as she put words to feelings I’ve long held. Her essays are honest, relatable, and filled with the kind of wisdom that comes from embracing life’s quieter moments. While I may never get the chance to chat with Annie in real life, her writing makes me feel seen—and isn’t that the true magic of books? If you’re looking for a read that gently affirms the beauty of an ordinary life, this one belongs on your shelf.
Have you read Ordinary Time? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! And if your book club decides to read it, let me know how your discussion goes!
Find more book reviews and reading guides in our Library to help you choose your next inspiring read!
