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Home » Authors, Doll Lil, John Schlimm, Reviewers, Reviews

Review: Twang by John Schlimm

Submitted by on September 24, 2011 – 9:47 am5 Comments


Author: John Schlimm
Book: Twang
Series: Novel
Released: June 1, 2011
Reviewer: Lil
Source: Get Red PR ebook
Purchase: – Barnes & Noble

A novel, former Country Music publicist John Schlimm peels back the industry-crafted clich? of Nashville and its beloved superstars. He takes readers backstage of the sold-out concerts, inside the homes and heads of Nashville’s elite, and introduces them to a side of show business that has yet to be revealed. Readers are whisked away on a wild ride to a provocative and quirky place with fictional characters, who seem strikingly familiar, and who will leave the readers shocked, titillated, laughing, and realizing that the real world of Country Music is far more compelling and scandal-ridden than they could ever have imagined.

I am a fan of country music. A vacation to Nashville is at the top of my bucket list. I jumped at the chance to read and review Twang. I really tried to stay neutral and not get wrapped up in my fan girl view of the country music industry. When I started to read Twang I realized this was not going to be a quick read for me. I struggled to get lost in the story. I put the book aside and gave it a couple of days. I went back three times over the course of a month before I finally made some headway. I finally decided I was just being Slacker Doll (not to mention a brat…. several books I have been waiting for were released and I wanted to read them) and sat down with Twang.

**You Are Now Entering Lil’s No Spoiler Zone**

I liked it! I didn’t love it. I really wanted to love it but alas it was not meant to be. I think many people will find they love this book. They are going to get half way through, look up the heavens, and then promptly curse me for only liking it. There is humor to be found within the pages of Twang and I believe for me that was what saved it for me. I will come clean and say the book was almost placed in my never to finish pile. I am so glad I did finish it even if it’s not my type of book, it’s important as an aspiring writer to read all genres and to learn from them. I did learn from this book that as a writer and a reader I am not a fan of the thinly veiled real life person as a fictional character. This book reminded me that there is an author for every kind of reader.

I do have to throw this out there. If nothing else, this will explain why it took me so long to warm up to this story. As a country music fan I have never really been interested in the private lives of artists who write and perform my favorite songs. I have read Reba McEntire’s Reba: My Story and I have been known to watch those behind the music shows but when it comes down to it? It’s about the music. And let’s be real, this is country music each song is like a snap shot in the writer’s life. For example Jerrod Niemann’s “What Do You Want?” based on his broken heart left dusty and stomped on by his ex.(she went to India to help kids) or Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” which is an autobiographical tale about her childhood.

I always get defensive when people make fun of country music. I understand if someone isn’t a fan but they often judge on popular belief that every country song revolves around a redneck who loses his girl, his dog, and his Budweiser within the first verse. And it’s true those songs are out there but the majority are based on true emotion whether it’s love, humor, or heartache every country song tells a story. They are like 3 minute books and as book lovers how can we not appreciate that?

I’ll leave you today with the titles of some of my favorite story songs and links to some amazing artists.

You can learn more about Jerrod Niemann here and if you are already a fan you can make it official at Dehydration Nation

 by The Dixie Chicks makes me cry every time. **Two Tissue Alert**

 by Randy Travis. (I think Mr.Niemann should record this)

 by the late Keith Whitley. (Mr. Whitley was the first man who made me cry with a song)

 by Craig Campbell (he doesn’t even know this song is all about me ;p)

My favorite girl singer is Miranda Lambert. The woman is not only amazing behind a microphone and guitar but she uses that song writer’s pen like a weapon. Check her out here  and her latest project Pistol Annies has only confirmed Ms. Lambert can hand the boys their hats….. take a listen to !

Later Y’all!!!! and Yee Haw!

Also Reviewed By: Wicked Little Pixie

Lil is an avid reader who gave up TV so she could greedily read every book she could get her hands on. In the process she discovered a love for contemporary romance heavily laden with humor. Lil is formerly a True Blood blogger who discovered there is more to the world than her annoying love/hate one-sided relationship with the writers of TB. She credits JR Ward for pulling her from the two dimensional world of TV viewing.
Doll Lil
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5 Comments »

  • Doll Day says:

    Thank you for the review!!!

    Reply to this comment »
  • Mona Leigh says:

    Thanks Lil. I can appreciate the effort you put into this review. When it’s hard to “get into” a book, it makes writing the review even more difficult…..no matter how much we like the subject matter. Thanks for being evenhanded with it.

    Reply to this comment »
  • [...] Finally, on Saturday Lil shared a review of Twang by John Schlimm A novel, former Country Music publicist John Schlimm peels back the industry-crafted clich? of Nashville and its beloved superstars. He takes readers backstage of the sold-out concerts, inside the homes and heads of Nashville’s elite, and introduces them to a side of show business that has yet to be revealed. Readers are whisked away on a wild ride to a provocative and quirky place with fictional characters, who seem strikingly familiar, and who will leave the readers shocked, titillated, laughing, and realizing that the real world of Country Music is far more compelling and scandal-ridden than they could ever have imagined. Read her review Here [...]

    Reply to this comment »
  • Nicole schlimm | Yesterthings says:

    [...] Paperback Dolls » Review: Twang by John Schlimm December 2nd, 2011 | [...]

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  • [...] HERE to read the full [...]

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