I’ve been sharing book reviews on the internet for almost 20 years.
What started as a post-grad hobby became a career as a bookseller — and then bookstore owner — at The Bookshelf. Now, for $50 a year, you can become a part of my bookish Instagram community: Annie’s Five-Star Book Club.
Through my private page on Instagram, you’ll receive access to my book reviews, backlist and frontlist titles. There, I’ll also host monthly Q&A sessions, hop on stories to chat books, and talk about the books I start but never finish. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen my reviews for years. I’ll still post about books occasionally in my newsletter, free of charge, and From the Front Porch listeners will still have access to my free monthly Reading Recaps. The private Instagram is a place where I’m more detailed with my reviews, and Five-Star Book Club members can choose if they want my five-star selections mailed to them each month from The Bookshelf.
Prefer not to be on Instagram? I totally get it. Starting in 2026, I’ll share my Instagram reviews in a quarterly newsletter, perfect for folks trying to opt-out of the apps. A newsletter subscription is FREE for Annie’s Five-Star Book Club members, or you can pay $40 for four newsletters: spring, summer, fall, and winter.
To join the fun on Instagram in 2026:
1. Go to Instagram and request to follow @anniesfivestarbooks2026.
2. Fill out the Google form here, then follow the prompts to complete payment. New members are added every week, and the Five-Star Book Club for 2026 will launch in January.
Not on Instagram? Trying to limit your social media intake? Subscribe to the quarterly newsletter instead.
F A Q s
Does the subscription renew automatically?
No. This is a one-time charge of $50, and gives you access to the private Instagram page from the date you register. Your membership for 2026 will automatically end on December 31, 2026, and you’ll receive an email with options to renew membership for 2027.
I’m not in Thomasville, Georgia; can I still join Annie’s Five-Star Book Club?
Absolutely. This is for local and long-distance readers.
How long does it take to get access to the private Instagram?
New members are added every Wednesday. If you haven’t been added in a few days, make sure you have requested to follow @anniesfivestarbooks2026. If something was entered incorrectly, we may not be able to find your request. We will email the account you entered to get the correct information and get you added in.
What if I’m not on Instagram?
In 2026, Annie’s Five-Star Books has a quarterly newsletter component. Members of the private Instagram can receive the optional newsletter as part of their $50/year membership; those not on Instagram can purchase the quarterly newsletter separately here.
But I’ve missed out on all of the great content up to this point?
Content is saved on Instagram, so even if you don’t join until later in the year, you’ll still have access to all of the reviews, stories, etc. from that year.