Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.
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This week’s neglected book
Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy Narrator: MacLeod Andrews
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Audio on March 3, 2015
Genres: Fiction / Literary
Length: 7 hours 30 minutes
Pages: 264
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
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THE INSPIRATION FOR THE MAJOR MOTION PICTURE DEVIL'S PEAK—starring Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, Hopper Penn, and Jackie Earle Haley!
In the country-noir tradition of Winter's Bone meets Breaking Bad, a savage and beautiful story of a young man seeking redemption—a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
The area surrounding Cashiers, North Carolina, is home to people of all kinds, but the world that Jacob McNeely lives in is crueler than most. His father runs a methodically organized meth ring, with local authorities on the dime to turn a blind eye to his dealings. Having dropped out of high school and cut himself off from his peers, Jacob has been working for this father for years, all on the promise that his payday will come eventually. The only joy he finds comes from reuniting with Maggie, his first love, and a girl clearly bound for bigger and better things than their hardscrabble town.
Jacob has always been resigned to play the cards that were dealt him, but when a fatal mistake changes everything, he’s faced with a choice: stay and appease his father, or leave the mountains with the girl he loves. In a place where blood is thicker than water and hope takes a back seat to fate, Jacob wonders if he can muster the strength to rise above the only life he’s ever known.
“Remarkable...This isn’t your ordinary coming-of-age novel, but with his bone-cutting insights into these men and the region that bred them, Joy makes it an extraordinarily intimate experience.”—Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review
“Lyrical, propulsive, dark and compelling. Joy knows well the grit and gravel of his world, the soul and blemishes of the place.”—Daniel Woodrell
Why did I add Where All Light Tends to Go to my bookshelf?
Several years ago, I read The Line That Held Us by David Joy and immediately knew I needed to read everything this author had written. I quickly got my hands on copies of his previous books and have eagerly awaited each new release. This is his first book and I am eager to get started with it. I am curious to see how much he has grown as a writer. I have a print copy and the audiobook and it looks pretty short so hopefully I can cross it off my list very soon.
What are your thoughts? Have you read this book? Would you recommend it?
Ooh nice pick! That’s a new to me one! I do find that if I like a book by a new to me author I will immediately start looking up their backlist! I’m glad with some authors I read that I am caught up! I couldn’t imagine trying to get caught up on Kelley Armstrong now! I’m still pretty behind as it is! Lol!
I like seeing how an author has grown too. I hope you love it!
Wow, this sounds like a gritty story. I already feel for Jacob. Can’t wait to see what you think when you get to this one.
You’ve been a big fan of this author from the reviews I have seen.
I have never heard of this book or author but I’m off to find this book right now! Great choice!
I haven’t read it but it does sound good.
Just reading the blurb tells me this one will dig deep into the emotions and immerse the reader in the setting. Hope you can get to it soon, Carole.
I haven’t read this one, but I do love seeing how authors grow over time! It’s really interesting to compare debut books to later ones. I hope you enjoy it!
[…] Books from the Backlog is a fun way to highlight some of the neglected books from our bookshelves. Once again link up at Carole’s Random Life and check out her post. […]
I hope you love his first book. I’ve never read anything from this author but it’s so great when you find an author that you want to inhale their whole backlist!
This does sound good, Carole. I hope you enjoy it when you read it! Have a great weekend!
I haven’t read anything by this author but it’s a good sign that you decided after one that you must have all their books. I hope you get this one read soon! It looks like a good read.