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Where All Light Tends to Go
Where All Light Tends to Go | David Joy
A Finalist for the Edgar Award for Best First NovelRemarkable . . . This isnt 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 In the country-noir tradition of Winter's Bone meets 'Breaking Bad,' a savage and beautiful story of a young man seeking redemption. 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, hes 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 hes ever known.From the Hardcover edition.
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Rissa1
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Pickpick

Gritty. Lonely. Sad.

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Rissa1
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"Blood's thicker than water, and I am drowning in it. I was sinking down in that blood and once I hit bottom, no one would find me."

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plemmdog
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Pickpick

“From where I crouched in the laurel, it looked like rust colored everything in the yard burnt red: an old push mower…a children‘s tricycle…a wheelbarrow that had a grate thrown over the bucket for grilling, a hole burnt slap through the bottom. The whole lot was in dire need of a tetanus shot.” Appalachian noir. More blood and grit than I‘m used to (and plenty of smoking) but overall a fine debut by David Joy.

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alisiakae
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Panpan

I liked the atmosphere, and didn‘t mind that it was a gritty and bleak story, but I just couldn‘t get into this book. The women (all three of them) were all one-dimensional, one of my common complaints in the noir crime genres. Certain aspects were very repetitive, and there were quite a few inconsistencies and plot holes. Meh, it checks off two prompts.

#booked2021 #appalachiannoir
#pop21 something broken on cover (a window if you look closely)

Cinfhen Two prompts makes it a bit better / still sorry it was a dud! Views is still awesome 🤩 3y
TheLudicReader I ❤️ how no two people read the same book. I loved this one. It broke my heart. 3y
alisiakae @TheLudicReader it definitely was heartbreaking! I just don‘t really like his writing style, and I really wish Maggie (or his mom) had been more fleshed out 3y
ShelleyBooksie What a gorgeous cover! 3y
79 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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alisiakae
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When I say I will read anywhere, I definitely mean it! Even in the middle of a beautiful mountain lake. 😂

CaffeineAndCandy 👍🏼❤️ 3y
Aims42 Beautiful!!! 3y
Crazeedi Perfect 💕 3y
See All 9 Comments
EvieBee Nice! Are you fishing? 3y
alisiakae No, just spending a morning kayaking around a lake! 3y
Laughterhp Nice! I‘d be afraid my book would get wet when I‘m paddling! 3y
AlaMich Yeah, what happens if you tip over? 😉 3y
Clare-Dragonfly That looks so lovely! 😍 3y
alisiakae @AlaMich @laughterhp I keep it in the waterproof bag designed for protecting items in case of going overboard! I only had it out to read when I was in a quiet spot with no one else around. 😄 Maya‘s poor grandparents, she ran into them accidentally in her kayak and their 🛶 was SO close to tipping! (edited) 3y
89 likes9 comments
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alisiakae
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I always love when my reading matches my surroundings, which is why I picked this book to read during our cabin retreat near Cashiers, NC!

The waterfall in Panthertown mentioned in this chapter is just down the road from us, ans we were there today! #appalachiannoir

Butterfinger I worked in Cashiers during my college summers. High Hampton Resort. 3y
EvieBee Wow! That is beautiful! 3y
74 likes2 comments
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alisiakae
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I‘m staying at a cabin in Cashiers, NC this week, and this is the view from the porch!

Putting down my other books to read the tagged one set in this area. #appalachiannoir #booked2021

Cinfhen Gorgeous!!! I can just smell that fresh air 💗💗💗 3y
TheSpineView Love the Cashiers area. 3y
Gissy It looks like a peaceful place😍 3y
TheBookHippie Wow!!! 💚 3y
65 likes4 comments
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Kappadeemom
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#LMPBC read that I hope to finish tonight.

36 likes2 stack adds
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Kappadeemom
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Received this one today for #LMPBC #Round10 @suvata

@MyBookSwapClub @Erinreadsthebooks @TheSpineView

Erin, Anxious People is going to the mailbox tomorrow!

TheSpineView 🤩 3y
RinaBrahmbhattBarot I can‘t believe posts are so delayed...enjoy! I‘m reading , truly gripping so far :) 3y
Erinreadsthebooks 👏👏👏 3y
MyNamesParadise I read that book when it first came out and really enjoyed it! 3y
Kappadeemom @erinreads just checking to see if your book arrived yet 3y
39 likes5 comments
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Simona
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Mehso-so

It's not a bad book, but it's not for me. I liked the depiction of the atmosphere, which is in typical noir manner - heavy with despair and threats, but everything else was so-so. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Booked2021 #AppalachianNoir

Cinfhen Too bad, I know this author is highly regarded in this particular genre☹️ 3y
Simona @Cinfhen I know! And the story really isn‘t bad, but something in his narrative style doesn‘t works for me 😏 3y
Cinfhen My current book, which I thought I could use for this prompt is EXCELLENT but it‘s not really noir or a thriller. Just Appalachian drama, so I might give Joy a try. My current book 👉🏽 3y
See All 9 Comments
Simona @Cinfhen Stacked! Looks really excellent and I liked Glass Castle. Thanks 😊 Good luck with Joy 🤞 3y
Cinfhen Betty is super character driven / very little action but it‘s very good ~ SAD 3y
Simona @Cinfhen I liked sad, when sadness isn‘t melodramatic and the prose isn‘t too flourishing. If you want, I would be glad to send you Joy‘s book. 3y
Cinfhen You‘re so sweet/ i own this book on my Kindle xx thanks for thinking of me and let me know if you can‘t find Betty... 3y
Simona @Cinfhen After six months bookstores are finally open and on Monday I‘m planning to do some shopping. Finally‼️ 3y
Cinfhen Ohhhh, this could be dangerous....can‘t wait to see what falls into your arms 3y
51 likes9 comments
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Emilymdxn
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Panpan

Unpopular opinion but i wasn‘t a fan of this one. In general I liked the characters, particularly the protagonist, and I didn‘t find the world or themes too much or too gory, but I was never grabbed by any of what went on and I found the writing style, particularly around the romance bits, quite cliche. I don‘t have much of a reason for disliking it but I just couldn‘t make myself read it much. Eh it‘s a #booked2021 one done

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Erinreadsthebooks
Pickpick

This dark, Appalachia Noir kind of writing is a favorite of mine, but I didn't LOVE this book. It was fine. I enjoyed it enough. I really like David Joy on Instagram, so I'll give his other books a try; however, this one didn't live up to some others in the category that I enjoyed tremendously (namely Ile's Natchez Burning Trilogy and Bull Mountain Series by Panowich). Sent this one around for #LMPBC

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TheSpineView
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Pickpick

I read this book for #LMPBC. It was not one I would have chosen to read. The topics presented where difficult. It was reminiscent of a Ron Rash novel. The writing was good but again not something I would pick or enjoy. 3.5 ⭐

TheLudicReader I loved this book. The main character broke my heart. 3y
57 likes2 comments
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Fr3NcHtOaSt
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I hid the pickup behind a tangled row of pampas grass that had needed burning a good year or so before.

#WhereAllLightTendsToGo #DavidJoy FirstLineFridays

TheSpineView I just started this book today! 3y
7 likes2 comments
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TheSpineView
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#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

"I hid the pickup behind a tangled row of pampas grass that needed burning a good year or so before. "

WJCintron “Beth learned of her mother's death from a woman with a clipboard.“ 3y
Fr3NcHtOaSt I realized after I posted my first line Friday and then looked on my feed, we both are reading the same book. I‘m really enjoying this one. (edited) 3y
TheSpineView @Fr3NcHtOaSt Just started... so too early to know if I will like. The setting is a small community just southwest of me. I have friends who live there. It is obvious that the author has never been there. Disappointed with all of the mistakes. 3y
Fr3NcHtOaSt @TheSpineView at only 35 pages in, an not really knowing the community, I can‘t speak on that, but I do like it so far 3y
51 likes5 comments
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Erinreadsthebooks
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Puppy for sale. Gotta go. Chewing on books. I kid, this pup can chew up a couple paperbacks, a hardback or two, my whole bookshelf. No biggie. Rules don‘t apply when you‘re real cute. 😍🤗🤩🤟

SheReadsAndWrites So precious!!!❤️🐶 3y
BookwormM Cute 💕💕 3y
MyNamesParadise Cute!! I read that book when it came out and I remember really enjoying it. 3y
See All 6 Comments
Erinreadsthebooks @MyNamesParadise I really like the book so far. The dark, gritty Appalachia genre usually works for me. Reminds me of Bull Mountain, which I loved! 3y
Allyneedsbooks Nathan ❤️ 3y
MyNamesParadise @Erinreadsthebooks have you read The Familiar Dark? It takes place in the Ozarks and it‘s good! Definitely gritty. 3y
43 likes6 comments
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Erinreadsthebooks
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@TheSpineView @MyBookSwapClub @Kappadeemom #lmpbc I‘m obviously having a literary moment because I started three of the books I thought about sending around, and none held my interest. I hope this one works for everyone 👍

28 likes1 stack add
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Erinreadsthebooks
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Y‘all. My mom‘s book etiquette 😩😳🙈 #ihatesand

Bookwormjillk 🙈 🙈 🙈 🙈 4y
LeslieO On no. 4y
23 likes1 stack add4 comments
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TheLudicReader
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Pickpick

Devastating, profoundly moving, violent, hopeful...just a few of the words I would use to describe this book about an 18 year old who is trying to step away from the only life he‘s ever known. I couldn‘t put this book down. #covid19readathon

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bookaholic1
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Pickpick

#52
I've never read this author before, but I loved this book for some reason. It just kept me wanting more.

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AudiobookingWithLeah
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Pickpick

BOOK TAGS⇣
⤏ THE REALIST SOUTHERN GRIT-LIT
⤏ METH, DEATH AND TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING
⤏ BORN OF CIRCUMSTANCE
⤏ SERIOUSLY, THERE IS NO JOY IN DAVID JOY'S BOOKS
I've now listened to two books by David Joy, and I feel that I can safely say that he doesn't do the quintessential happy ending. He does the harsh, realistic ones. The gut-punching type...and he does them really well.

15 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TuesdayReviews
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Took a big stack of books with me for my unexpected trip this week.

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Book_Fairy_Mary
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Pickpick

An amazing read in an amazing location. Our vacation in Aruba was unbelievable and so was David Joy's Where All Light Tends To Go.

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intothehallofbooks
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Pickpick

SO, SO fantastic. Gritty, bleak, dusty and rusty Southern Appalachian noir, set right here in NC (which y‘all know is my weakness 🙌🏻). Jacob sees no way out of the crappy circumstance that he was born into; his story just screams of resignation and longing for something else. There are very few times when I‘ve felt overcome with the weight of perfect language, but this is one of those times. A hard story at times, but oh-my-gosh so good.

57 likes4 stack adds
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My_novel_obsession
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Current read - this one reminds me of Donald Ray Pollack and Ron Rash. Dark, southern literature ...#currentread

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OffTheBeatenShelf.com
Pickpick

Good short palate cleanser between some of the heavier books I‘ve been reading. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of Appalachia and the sense of adventure. One warning, though: it‘s a serious sausage fest.

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RidgewayGirl
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Just started this debut novel and it looks like a good one.

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AshleyS
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Pickpick

This was really good, but also very sad. I often forgot that Jacob is only 18, he seems so much older and has such a hard life. I really enjoyed the way this was written.

MyNamesParadise One of my favorites of 2015!!! His nextbook Weight of This World comes out next week!!! 7y
AshleyS @MyNamesParadise That sounds so good! I put a hold on it at the library. 7y
MyNamesParadise @AshleyS glad to be of service!! 😎😊📚📚 7y
31 likes3 comments
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emilygatlin
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Yes, it is better to just let sleeping dogs lie. Because they keep you warm.

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emilygatlin
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My heat is out again (LOL 2016 YOU FUNNY) and I have to stay warm, so why wouldn't I wear Star Wars thermal underpants and read something dark?

PutnamKatie So good!! Loved this book. 7y
emilygatlin @KMcKee I'm hooked already on pg 21! 7y
14 likes1 stack add2 comments
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valeriegeary
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Sweepstakes alert! Putnam is giving away some rather thrilling looking books! https://sweeps.penguinrandomhouse.com/enter/putnam-mysterythriller-holiday-sweep...

DivineDiana Thank you! I entered! 😀📚 7y
valeriegeary @DivineDiana Fingers crossed! 7y
James Thanks for posting!! 7y
34 likes3 comments
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DianeNY
Mehso-so

Not sure of what I think of this one. Anyone else read this book?

Jnine57 Is this one of those flaky ones? 7y
DianeNY Lol what do you mean by flaky? 7y
3 likes2 comments
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SouthernLea

Joy's debut novel was a page turner and so relevant... Loved it!

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Well-ReadNeck
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Pickpick

While I'm not crazy about the name Grit Lit, I do love the genre (natch). Listened on audiobook and the narrator has the perfect accent. Good one on the theme of its hard to escape a small town/family.

Ubergeekygirl Grit lit? What is that? 8y
Demanda This sounds awesome! 8y
Laura317 Grit lit? 🤔 8y
See All 9 Comments
NatalieR I enjoyed this one on audio too. 8y
Well-ReadNeck @Laura317 Southern Literature (I feel like there is an implication of Deliverance bent?!) play on Gritty and Grits (i.e. The southern food), I think. Anyone know the origin?? 8y
ReadingEnvy I have this one signed by the author big haven't read it. My favorite grit lit writer so far is Bonnie Jo Campbell who writes the rural south amazingly well. (I've heard Joy is good too just haven't experienced him yet!) 8y
Well-ReadNeck @ReadingEnvy I love, love, love Bull Mountain, a debut by Brian Panowich. I'm putting Campbell on hold at the library!! Thanks!! 8y
ReadingEnvy Ooh will make note of Panowich, gracias! 8y
Well-ReadNeck @ReadingEnvy didn't recognize her name, but I've read Mothers, Tell Your Daughters. It's amazing!!! Which of her novels would you recommend that I start with? 8y
36 likes10 stack adds9 comments