I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Bill Hemmig showcases the human experience through a multitude of snapshots and short stories in the collection “Americana: Stories”.

The Synopsis

The many faces of curiosity. Which one do you see?

Welcome to Bill Hemmig’s Americana, a collection of snapshots that capture the everyday American experience. From filling the bird feeder to a realtor conference (behind) the happiest place on Earth to the picturesque canals of Venice, each story celebrates the eccentricities hidden inside the fabric of an ordinary life.

The Review

From a storytelling perspective, the author’s work put into this book’s character development and imagery was riveting. The relatability and heart that these characters exuded and the rich dynamics between them were incredibly engaging. The thoughtful use of imagery helped elevate the enthralling yet thought-provoking atmosphere the author had tapped into for these stories.

Yet it was the balance of realism and almost fantasy-style storytelling that the author embraced that made this collection so unique. The way each story spoke to everyday situations and emotions that people go through, and yet the abstract imagery that made each story feel like another world entirely came across as a fairy-tale-like parable to take lessons from, and the idea that life itself stems from our thoughts and ideas made this a complex yet engaging read.

The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and engaging author Bill Hemmig’s “Americana: Stories” is a must-read short story collection that is not to be missed. The author writes in a way that allows us to see ourselves in these characters, yet the story’s abstract nature allows us to feel transported all at once. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Bill Hemmig is the author of Americana: Stories and Brethren Hollow, both published by Read Furiously. His short stories appear in Read Furiously’s Life in the Garden State anthologies, The World Takes and Stay Salty, and in the Toho Publishing anthology, The Best Short Stories of Philadelphia, 2021. He has had stories published in the journals The Madison Review, Philadelphia Stories, and Children, Churches and Daddies (cc&d), and he is a three-time finalist in the New Millennium Writing Awards. By day he is Dean, Learning Resources & Online Learning at Bucks County Community College in Pennsylvania.

Find Bill online at:

Website | Instagram | Twitter