Book Review - American Still Life by Jim Naremore

Yes, starting off the year with another book review for WOW-Women on Writing! And this one is a bit darker than I was expecting. But first, the business of the review...

Book Summary

We are all drowning, and we are all saviors.

Wresting with addiction, guilt, and self-loathing, gifted photojournalist Skade Felsdottir finds herself trapped in a web of her own creation when she is forced by circumstances to return to her hometown—the place that holds her crippling secrets. After screwing up her “big break”, a photo essay book about descansos—roadside memorials to people who have died tragically, Skade tries to salvage the project against a tight deadline. While simultaneously working and keeping her darkest demons at bay, Skade reconnects with an old boyfriend and befriends a unique but broken young woman named Kit. Their burgeoning friendship begins a process of healing for them both, until a devastating sequence of events plunges Skade into darkness, leaving her to decide between redemption and running away; between life and death. Set against a backdrop of the back roads of a forgotten America, American Still Life explores the crossroads of grief and artistic expression, of loneliness and atonement. A journey familiar.

Publisher: Regal House Publishing (Deceember 17, 2024)

ISBN: 1646035054

ISBN: 978-1646035052

AISN:  B0CNTWJH98

Print length:  296 pages

Purchase a copy of American Still Life on

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/American-Still-Life-Jim-Naremore/dp/1646035054

Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/american-still-life-jim-naremore/1144401418?ean=9781646035052

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/american-still-life-jim-naremore/21166321?ean=9781646035052

You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202538411-american-still-life?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=bDrIdOSiXR&rank=6.

About the Author

With roots in the American deep south and the Midwest grounding his sense of place, Jim Naremore has published an array of short fiction and the award-winning novel The Arts of Legerdemain as Taught by Ghosts (Belle Lutte, 2016). He holds an MFA from the Solstice program at Lasell University in Boston and currently lives with his partner and cat in New York’s Hudson River Valley.

You can follow the author at:

Instagram: @jim_naremore    https://www.instagram.com/jim_naremore/

Website: https://www.jim-naremore.com/

Now for my opinion...

First off, I learned about those crosses and flowers we have all seen as we drive to and from in our every day life. I found out they are called descansos and are ties with the living to the deceased. And Skade is behind on her deadline to finish a book of photography on these sites. 

Battling alcoholism and inner demons, Skade crosses the country and finds those who help her heal. 

This is not a cozy read by any means. It is one that makes you stop and think about your own life - or at least it did for me. It also gave me a different perspective on those roadside memorials which I had not thought of in the past.

But, for other opinions, check these out...

Blog Tour Calendar

January 6th @ The Muffin

Join us as we celebrate the launch of Jim Naremore's literary fiction American Still Life. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of his book.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

January 7th @ C.C. King

Author Jim Naremore stops by with a guest post about how you transform an idea into a full blown story.

https://www.caitrincking.com/blog

January 9th @ Some Thoughts - Everything Creativity

Jim Naremore, author of American Still Life, share his thoughts on the MFA: what do those three letters get you?

https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/blog

January 10th @ What Is That Book About

The spotlight's on American Still Life by Jim Naremore. Could this be your weekend read?

https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/

January 12th @ Knotty Needle

Judy reviews American Still Life by Jim Naremore.

http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com

January 13th @ Tracey Lampley

Author Jim Naremore wants to talk about sex...and the challenge of writing a good sex scene.

https://traceylampley.com

January 14th @ A Storybook World

Want a cup of tea and a good read on this winter day? Check out the spotlight on Jim Naremore's American Still Life.

https://www.astorybookworld.com/

January 15th @ Choices

Jim Naremore stops by with the ABCs of a good writers' group.

http://madelinesharples.com

January 16th @ Words by Webb

Thoughts on the novel American Still Life.

https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog

January 18th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion

Meet writer Jim Naremore in today's interview.

https://bootsshoesandfashion.com

January 21st @ Word Magic

Before you “kill your darlings”, what does that misunderstood axiom really mean? Author Jim Naremore shares his thoughts on darlings and their demise!

https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com

January 23rd @ Lisa Haselton Book Reviews and Interviews

Lisa has some intriguing questions for Jim Naremore in today's author interview.

https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

January 24th @ A Wonderful World of Words

What's the first thing Jim Naremore tells students in his Novel Class? Stop by and find out! 

https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

January 29th @ The Faerie Review

Discover author Jim Naremore with a review of his latest: American Still Life.

https://www.thefaeriereview.com

January 31st @ Nikki's Book and Movie Reviews

Looking for a new book for next month? Check out Nikki's review of American Still Life. 

https://nikkitsbookreviews.wordpress.com

February 4th @ Writer Advice

Stop by for some tips from Jim Naremore on ways to find and maintain (and recover!) your “voice” in writing.

www.writeradvice.com

February 7th @ Boys' Mom Reads!

American Still Life is reviewed by Karen of Boys' Mom reads!

https://karensiddall.wordpress.com