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#MayMontage @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
#115-225Pages

This short Ron Rash (think "Serena") novel comes in at 214 pages. His novels are all set in the area I live in. He is a local and has taught at Clemson University and now at Western Carolina.

Here‘s my top six books of the year! I loved them all but if I had to choose a very favorite it would be One Foot in Eden. I‘m looking forward to reading more Ron Rash books in 2023. Happy New Year!

My favorite book so far this year. The writing is beautiful and the story is compelling. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #readingsoundtrack

A murder in a small southern town that is rumored to be on the verge of disappearing under water due to the machinations of the electric company. This is the kind of town where people can guess your lineage just by looking at you and where you work hard on land that does not always reward your efforts. I love the way Rash writes and although this may have been first book of his I have already added the rest to my TBR.
#appalachiannoir #booked2021

Another book devoured in one sitting. I loved this Southern gothic tale, and will be seeking out more by Ron Rash in the future. Highly recommended. Balthazar agrees. #littenkitten #catsoflitsy

One more short one before my next big book. So far I‘m liking this author‘s voice. He‘s a new-to-me author. #currentlyreading

#AugustABC @Eggs
#SpinePoetry

One Foot in Eden
Modern Lovers
Passion
Burned

For the last challenge of @24in48, here‘s my #swissarmyknife recommendation. Really, it could be any of Ron Rash‘s novels. His lyrical prose, intriguing mysteries and insight into the Appalachian south make him one of my favorite contemporary authors.

LA Times gave the perfect description: “equal parts vintage crime & Southern Gothic.” Perfect balance of plot and character development. It‘s definitely a page turner and I enjoyed how it was organized into POV sections, so the reader gets to know the principle characters better. 👍🏾👍🏾

In central Texas for a nephews graduation but I'm sneaking in reading time - Ron Rash has pulled me into Appalachia and I'm really loving it.

Reading two books right now, but this is the only one that is holding my attention at the moment...so so good 😊

I'm on a Ron Rash kick! Rash's writing puts you right there in this small Appalachian town where a murder is committed, and its ramifications are revealed through the eyes of five different characters. Great storytelling!

I really enjoyed this Ron Rash novel. I definitely think this one is now my favorite.

So I've read two other Ron Rash books and I like his writing but I am really enjoying this novel! The characters are refreshing and familiar and the plot is interesting. I'm really lucky to go to the school that he teaches at, I'm hoping to get to take a creative writing class with him in grad school! #OneFootInEden #RonRash #WCU #EnglishMajor

"There had been trouble in the upper part of the county at a honky-tonk called The Borderline, and Bobby had come by the house because he didn't want to go up there alone." #firstlines #appalachia #southernlit #debut #crime #family #land

Reading Ron Rash, for me, is not unlike hearing a story told by one of my Aunts or my Uncle. A story told over a plate of my Granny Mac's pintos and cornbread all washed down with a glass of sweet tea.

"I see the world through bloodshot eyes
Streets filled with blood from distant lies.
The dogs of war never compromise,
No real time for rearranging.
"Help me Jesus, help me clean my wounds"
He said he cannot heal that kind.
Bleeding soul becomes a bitter mind.
He said it happens every time" Corrosion of Conformity to clear the palette. That, Black Coffee, and Ron Rash.

Such a beautiful, suspenseful Southern gothic novel. Rash's writing style is fantastically intimate and macabre. If you're looking for a small town story, it's here. If you're looking for suspense, it's here. If you're looking for a high body count, it's definitely here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When you can never read just one book at a time

My #favereadofaugust #septemberphotochallenge #somethingforseptember I think this will be in my top 10 for the year. #southerngothic

Wow. This is a good one. If you love southern gothic novels, you'll want to read this.