I Am a Town

by Shari Smith

Shari Smith's roots reach into the Midwest and spread under the Mason-Dixon line into the heart of Dixie. She draws on both in this collection of heartwarming stories that originated on her blog, Gunpowder, Cowboy Boots, and Mascara. With the compassion of an old soul, irreverent wit, her North Carolina vernacular, and more than a few cuss words, Shari takes the reader into "her country," the small town of Claremont, North Carolina and a mystical land in Alabama called Waterhole Branch. Holding nothing back, she explores the sensitive issues of a rural community, creative minds of the music and literary world, and how a small town's tragedy affects an entire nation. Smith introduces the reader to real war heroes and a Bronze Star recipient author who told their story in graphic detail in We Were Soldiers Once and Young. She allows us to listen in on a telephone conversation with a handsome cowboy actor who had called that hard-nosed reporter to thank him for his work, and without a word of introduction, the reporter passed the phone to Shari, telling the movie star to "say hello." Shari Smith writes with insight into the ordinary folks who meet each morning at the Claremont Café, the Boys at the Back Table, and with equanimity of prize-winning writers, songwriters, and musicians who gather on the deck of her hundred-year-old farm house. Her world is populated with beloved dogs, horses, children, neighbors, and a bunch of crazy artist-types. All are "her people" - people you want to know.

268 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 2014

About the author

Shari Smith is the author of I Am A Town, a contributor to The Shoe Burnin': Stories of Southern Soul, and the producer of the Shoe Burnin’ Show. She has been published in Thicket Magazine, Wildlife in North Carolina, Western North Carolina Magazine, O. Henry Magazine, Pinestraw Magazine and Abilene Living; and she also has written for BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated).

Reviews

[Sharon]

I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FREE THROUGH GOODREADS FIRST READS.

I am a person who loves words. I love a book where the flow of words is so rich that it feels like scooping up big spoonfuls of Eagle Brand condensed milk right out of the can—not to say that the words in this book were always sweet! Mercy, no! I AM A TOWN made me laugh, sometimes out loud. It made me cry. It made me feel good and sometimes even made me angry. But it made me FEEL something on every page (even if after a while I did get confused trying to remember all the characters when she started listing them by first name only). Shari Smith doesn’t hold back. Her stories about the ordinary people from a small town in North Carolina originated on her blog called Gunpowder, Cowboy Boots, and Mascara. Does that title tell you anything? In every chapter she literally vomits her thoughts (okay, that sounds bad, but I mean it in a good way). She is open and in your face—take it or leave it. Like it or be offended, she’s going to have her say. For that reason, I adore Shari Smith. Yes, we are polar opposites on most of our personal and political views. If I lived near her I would feel compelled to worry and pray for her over her irreverence towards things I consider sacred. She also would not be helpful in my attempt to curb my tongue, especially when naughty words want to slip out. Yet, I know this. She would be there to laugh or cry with me or kick someone’s tail if I wasn’t able to do it myself because that’s what she does for her friends. This book makes you feel like you are one of her friends and she’s just discussing her thoughts with you.
One of my favorite quotes in the book was when someone said that a friend of hers needed “constant attention.” Shari shot back, “No, he doesn’t. He requires interaction, not attention.” I felt that to my core! Isn’t that what most of us are REALLY seeking?
I AM A TOWN has short chapters and is easy to read, but will be hard to forget. Don’t miss it!

[Susan Cushman]

Smith is a born storyteller. No matter what part of the world you are from, everyone can relate to her characters and their colorful lives.

[Misty]

Very Good!

[Doug Stanfield]

This is a wonderfully evocative portrait of a Southern town by a Southern girl who loves it. She weaves story after story of poignance and all the heart-wrenching joys and pain and loss through the stories of a wonderful mix of saints and sinners whom she embraces. She's a fierce and passionate defender of the wronged and the confused, and of the Southern way of life, and has collected a huge extended family who are just as loving and fierce in defending her and hers. I was touched by every chapter. This is a Good Read. :-)