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What a glorious read! The Redwoods and many a families‘ tolls and sacrifices. The fact that the story takes place in one of my favorite places was wonderful. I hope this is the first of many stories from Ash Davidson.

#12Booksof2022 #11 @Andrew65

Such a fabulous pairing! Thank you so much @Soubhiville - both look amazing books that will have their amazing mess magnified by pairing them! You‘re so wonderful. Thank you xxxxxxx Happy New Year 🥳

This was a total pick for me. Great character development and interesting plot. A logging community struggling to maintain their livelihood while witnessing what that livelihood is costing them.
This is also my #bookspin book for December.

This was a fascinating look at the logging industry (in the 70‘s) and all of the controversy and ecological repercussions that surround it. It focuses on a family: Rich, Colleen, and son Chub; each has a major part in this heartwarming, heartbreaking novel that will resonate with me!
#NetGalley

And with that, my #TBRtarot choice is done! @AmyG (my book twin), you were absolutely right that I would love this. I admit being lost with all of the logging terms, and incensed at the disgusting behavior by some of the logging crew - BUT at the heart is a wonderfully researched story about the effect that herbicides had on water sources, human life, and how it tore communities apart (I admit I would‘ve sided with the “long hairs” ☮️). ⬇️

Damnation Spring is the debut novel by Ash Davidson set among the giant redwoods of Northern California in 1977.
Damnation Spring may be the story of one couples struggle to keep their family intact during a turbulent dangerous time in 1977 but it is no different from the struggles that families and towns

First one done in the #JubliantJuly #Readathon.
@Andrew65

I got bogged down with all the logging terms. Plus, I only cared about Rich and Colleen. There other characters got on my nerves.

This was an incredibly sad read. So much hardship, so much loss. 😫

These are the books I plan on reading during These I have been needing to read for reviews for awhile. I got behind last year and am trying to catch up on some backlogs 😀 Figured what a better time to do it

#JubliantJuly #Readathon @Andrew65

My heart is breaking for the characters in this story. They are fighting for their lives on so many levels. 💔💀🌳🦌

I know this book is set in 1978, but I‘m still 100% expecting to read about how Colleen stormed the Capitol.

1970's, a logging family in Northern California struggles as the industry and big business changes the landscape. In addition, environmental factors and legal wrangling force the main characters to reconsider their way of life and an uncertain future in this literary fiction perfect for Book Clubs.

I liked the story but I wasn‘t a huge fan of the execution of it. Also enjoyed the characters and the message of the book which focused on humans‘ impact on the environment. I wish I had a glowing recommendation to post about this 1970s-set novel about a logging community, but sadly it dragged for me. A pick because, as I said, I liked the message and the characters.

I won‘t say much as one member of my #LPMBC hasn‘t read it yet.

I was extremely excited for this, but it squeaks by with a very low pass. It‘s overly long, and even though I like dialogue-heavy books, I always felt a beat behind with hers. Maybe my expectations were too high. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Molly playing with a new friend!

1. The Dark Queens, Between Shades of Gray, and True Biz

2. Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson

3. It's been a while since the weather has been nice enough, but if I had to hazard a guess maybe The Secret Life of Fungi. Looking forward to more now that the weather is nicer.

I only now saw as I posted this photo that Anthony Marra, an author I love so much, has a quote on the cover. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ A solid story of a bevy of logging families living amongst redwoods in the Northwest. The author incorporates a lot of subjects (environmental concerns, poverty, racism, miscarriage) and the main family of the novel carries the load on their shoulders. Without spoiling anything, I wish she had chosen a different ending.

This is one of those books that leaves you feeling like you've been somewhere. I have been in this town, driven these windy, washed-out roads along the cliffs, sloshed through creeks and looked upon a ridge filled with redwoods. I've mourned their losses and worried along with these people. #LMPBC Round 14, Group B

Having a hard time tagging people: @jamiearc (book on way to you), @megabooks, @thebluestocking, @suvata

Started this tonight.Trying to get thru my backlog of #botm books. I remember when this was going on (DDT spraying) & am interested to see how logging/those issues entangled & deeply affected peoples lives & livelihoods .

I am between so-so and pan. But since this completely threw me off my reading goals and almost sent me into a slump going with pan. That isn't to say that technically it isn't good. The writing is good, the core storyline is solid but the pacing was off- incredibly slow slog for the first half. The side characters were hard to keep track of, and damn was it overall sad. TW for miscarriages, still births, pregnancy, and birth defects. 👇

I‘m housesitting/catsitting for two days. Of course I had to bring all of this reading material. Three books and 3 New Yorkers. Just in case. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@AmyG thank you, sweet friend. This arrived today ♥️😊
I‘ve had a Monday, so this made me feel better! 😘

The story of a family living and working in a logging town, 1977-8, in the Pacific Northwest. Beautiful story.

Thanks @sharread for this book. I thought of you every time I picked it up read.

📖 3-4-22
Authentic | Heart-Breaking | Compassionate
This is a 5 star read for me even though it broke my heart in so many ways. Growing up near logging communities of the 70‘s in the Pacific Northwest, I can attest that these characters and the challenges they encountered are authentic. The author writes from her lived experience with grace and compassion. Heads up on many TW.

1) Tagged title.
2) Act Like You Got Some Sense by Jamie Foxx.
3) Caste by Isabel Wilkerson.

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

Sharon gave this book to me in a Halloween swap. So it‘s only fitting that I read it today in her memory. #sharreadathon

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Professional_Book_Dragon

What do y‘all think of these, @thebluestocking @Megabooks @JamieArc ?

#LMPBC #BOMCBackLog

This book is beautiful, and up until almost the end, I was sure this was going to be 5⭐️ read for me. A really excellent debut, even with that ending.

My spoilery review is on my blog: http://sprainedbrain.blog/2022/02/09/review-damnation-spring-by-ash-davidson/

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another week, another #weeklyforecast 😀

I‘m in the middle of Damnation Spring, which I‘m really enjoying despite it taking me a while to settle into.

Then it will be one or two of the others to tick off a few #Booked2022 prompts. I‘m hearing very good things about The Spectacular, and the cover is grabbing me, so that might be the next one. But I think it will all depend on the day - loosey-goosey it is for me 🐦

Happy reading 📚

Get ready for some heartbreak. The Litsy reviews on this one were definitely right-- it's a beautiful, character driven story about a logging town and a husband and wife on opposite sizes of a feud over whether the defoliants being used are toxic and causing birth defects. It's down home and painful and touching.

TW: miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death, birth defects, dog death, violence, arson, death

This isn't the sort of book I normally like. It's not happy or light or action-y or suspenseful. It's more gloomy and slow. But I still really enjoyed it and devoured it in one day.

Book 3/180 off my tbr

My Christmas #bookhaul. 🎄 Only the tagged book was physically gifted to me, but I got a handful of bookstore gift cards which were all quickly used for the rest of this stack.

I loved this book!! 💚

The setting, the characters, and the story are all so brilliantly crafted that this book is easily one of my favorite reads this year.

I don't want to give too much away in a review. Just do yourself a favor and read this one.

This book is definitely in my top 10 favorite #books of 2021! I was absolutely engrossed! The characters were riveting & the story was so masterfully paced.
Loyalties are deep & fierce in this close knit community. As the effects of logging wreak havoc on the community, individuals must decide what sacrifices are too great. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As soon as I opened this book I felt I would like it.

In the late 70‘s the timber industry in Northern California might be grinding to a halt. Environmental science is proving that the herbicides used to keep the underbrush down so loggers can work in the redwoods is causing massive issues to animals, including humans.

I fell in love with the family who has always been in lumber as they come to grips with how their lives have to change. ⬇️

#Plans.
@AmyG have you started this yet? I‘m 100 or so pages from the end and it‘s cracking my heart to pieces. I have to finish it this morning, everything else is on hold for the day.
@Hooked_on_books I see why you loved it.

This novel took me a long time to read..I first started it while I was reading Barkskins and the subject matter was too similar. And then the emphasis on miscarriage was a lot. I finally pushed through and felt like it was worth it, and overall it has a strong ending.
.
It takes place along the Klamath River, a river that ends at the Pacific Ocean, and the forests that were so heavily logged in the 1960s and 1970s on both sides, ↘️

@sharread I am speechless. Thank you so very much for ALL the great books…You are so very generous. I can‘t wait to read them all! And all the treats and Halloween goodies. Just an amazing box. I am so very thankful and grateful for your kindness. Happy Halloween!!!! 🎃🎃🎃

@MaleficentBookDragon #AHRS #AllHallowsReadSwap

I was on the fence about this #BOTM pick, but had to give it a shot. Here‘s to hoping I get lost in this one 🌲

#BOTM said "slow build," and they weren't kidding. It took me a while to get into, but it was absolutely worth it! It's the heartbreaking story of logging towns in the Pacific Northwest during the 70s as they come to realize and question the effects of herbicides on their health. Industry & environmentalists clash over the fate of the redwoods, but mostly it's about the hardworking families who just want to make a better life. I was transported.

This book made me cry on an airplane on my first day of vacation. Does anything more need to be said? But seriously, it got off to a slow start, but I ended up loving it. The characters were not always likable but they were sympathetic and the whole community jumps off the page. A really compelling look at a logging community caught in a web of corporate greed and shaken by the effects of herbicides that both enable and threaten their way of life.

I'm in such a slump right now and I have no idea why. I can't get anything to keep my attention. I started The Shimmering State. Sweet Little Lies. Bath Haus. Station Eleven. Nothing is grabbing me. Starting Damnation Spring and hoping it sticks!

4.5 stars. This centers around a logging community in the seventies as they desperately try to hold on to their way of life while grappling with environmental destruction, chemical poisoning and small town mindset. The characters in this book are complicated and the plot constantly contains an eerie sense of foreboding. As with any book, there are flaws but overall this was a satisfying reading experience.

#weeklyforecast #currentlyreading

Book Review- https://www.boleybooks.com/2021/09/15/damnation-spring/

#boleybooks #damnationspring #ashdavidson #bookbeast #bookjoy #bookreview

Very engaging story!

Tackle the TBR 🤓📚 #boleybooks #damnationspring #ashdavidson #bookbeast #bookjoy #netgalley #bookbuds
What are you reading? 😊

#TwoWordTitles #FallTreasures #TBR #BOTM

If your on Netgalley, this one is READ NOW for 2 days!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The solemn study of a livelihood, a family, and a community. Set in the Northern California Redwoods, this 1970s story focuses around Rich and Colleen, who both want a better life for their son, but have differing opinions concerning the current logging situation. This slow burn thoughtfully addresses ethical and environmental consequences. Such an incredible debut!

cw: graphic descriptions of miscarriage and congenital disorders