I wanted to like this book but it may just not be for me. It felt so overwritten and like it wanted to be important and profound but it just feel flat to me. And the characters names all felt false.

This literary fiction debut by Calahan Skogman is a beautifully poetic and touching tribute to small towns full of both mundane and extraordinary things. With so many deep elements discussed, expect to embark on a journey exploring love, loss, hate, pain, hope, nostalgia, forgiveness, friendship, faith, self-discovery… and shrooms! It tugs at your heartstrings and pulls them back together, it has you coming away from it appreciating life and loving the colour blue. The style was not fully for me but everyone needs to read this – at least, once.

When I first read the blurb, I didn’t initially know this was a literary fiction story. Literary Fiction is character-driven, uncategorised (no genres), realistic, does not contain tropes. Here, this story does feel very realistic. Cash is an ordinary man, we all know someone like him, he could be a friend or family in real life. There are things he goes through that I think a lot of us can relate to. The conversations do not constantly have “he says” or “she says” or “I say” which flows more like how a discussion in real life would go.

I loved Calahan Skogman in the Shadow & Bone show as Matthias, his acting was phenomenal so I was very excited to be reading his debut novel! And wow, what an incredible journey this was. This story really helps you get to know the man behind it all. You can tell Skogman has scattered parts of himself into Cash (from his age to him saying “man” to enjoying walking out in nature to his own Christian beliefs). Wisconsin is Calahan’s own hometown, so it is no wonder this is where his story is set as it has an impact on him. About a third of the story was written in Wisconsin and most of the rest in Vancouver during COVID-19, a time where people both had to be and felt isolated. This is conveyed through hearing Cash’s thoughts as he reflects on there being times where he felt “dramatically alone".

Skogman has previously published poetry and there is so much of his skill and magnificence with words apparent in this work here. Why, even on the first page from this description alone, I could tell this was going to be very poetic and expressive: “She turns her glass slowly, like the universe in orbit”. Another lovely moment I like is when Cash is setting off from town in September and “The leaves on trees are beginning to die in their wondrous display of color. Ready to bid me farewell” – it is September, autumn, and the leaves leaving the tree as he is literally leaving is so poetically fitting!

Indeed, for the majority of the story, it is not about what Skogman says but *how* he says it. The words are used to illustrate points and set scenes effectively. I will give some examples. Straight off the bat you really get the small-town vibe and tight-knit community, of everyone knowing everyone else, solely from the omission of surnames. First-name terms mean more proximity, being made to feel like you as a reader actually know them. Another very interesting and clever thing is the way Cash refers to his parents, “Ma” (close, endearing) as opposed to “my father” (distant, formal).

And let’s not forget the colour blue. It is everywhere in this story – mentioned a whopping 71 times! Most prominently, Cash’s eyes are blue interestingly like his father, there are mentions of blue jeans, tears, skin, socks, cushions (this is significant as it is at the hospital as he waits for the news of his mother), flowers (this one in particular is interesting because there is a list of colours and blue is at the start showing its priority). There are many ways in which the colour can be interpreted: it can mean loyalty, confidence, freedom, creativity, depth and depression. Here, Cash believes it is “the color of hope in the heart”.

Overall, this was a breathtaking read and I really enjoyed it. I would rate this 4.5 stars if I could! Unfortunately, it was missing some emotional depth from side characters and some of the conversations felt repetitive and boring. This made the story lose some of its charm. A debut novel is not easy to do, however, and I heartily commend Skogman for his efforts.

My favourite moment is when Cash and Rose write their names in the sky. It is so romantic!

📚gorgeous and gritty📚

Skogman’s breakout work of literary fiction is absolutely stunning to read. It hits the most heavy, profound poetic notes and contains so much depth of emotion, it is absolutely gorgeous to read.

I am familiar with Skogman’s poetry via his Instagram and patreon, and this is more of that, put to story. The main character is traumatized and a bit broken, but likable. I love how the mundanity of life so perfectly encompasses grief and hope and beauty and pain and longing. the author’s voice is so unique— the story jumps to and fro along the day to day of a midwestern man living in small town America with the same people he grew up with.

This book is especially good at wrestling with emotions regarding parents and God and change. The way that Skogman explores the complex relationships between fathers and sons specifically, was breathtaking. I think those particular reflections will stay with me for some time.
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CW/TW: drug and alcohol use and abuse; parental abandonment; sex on page; death of parents; child disappearance;

I didn’t finish this, but I think it was a great book, just not my type of story. I think this would make a fabulous audiobook because of the first person narrative. Still an interesting story though!

The author has a unique, entrancing voice. This is a book where my attention was held by the writing style alone. I enjoyed sort of slice of life narrative and how unapologetically Midwestern this book was. The story meanders in a way that isn’t dull or repetitive and focuses on characters and relationships. This is a book that I already plan on buying and rereading down the line.

🤍 Thank you @unnamedpress for the arc of Blue Graffiti! 🤍

From the actor who portrayed Matthias Helvar in Shadow and Bone comes this exquisitely written novel!

Immersing me in a charming Wisconsin town, the book is a heartfelt tribute to the charm of small towns, the enchantment of falling in love, the nostalgia of a simpler era, and the essence of true friendship.

The writing was absolutely fantastic, a reminiscent style that echoes that of Ernest Hemingway! I highlighted so much of this story.

If you love:
• classic-style literature
• grief + healing
• a small town
• romance

I was so excited for this book partly because of the author's person, and partly because of Emily Henry's enthusiasm for this novel. The premise sounded intriguing, and I was really happy to be approved for an ARC.

The writing style is incredibly moving, the atmosphere Skogman creates is so transportive that you feel like you know this small town and its inhabitants, you feel the sun beating down on you, and even hear the sounds of a calm starry night. There is so much love and attention written into every line, and each character is so real and human that they feel like your own friends. Slowly, you learn about their past traumas and present struggles, and Cash's romanticism is contagious enough for you to love everyone and wish the best for them.

Sadly, the beautiful writing and transportive atmosphere could only hold my attention for so long, and without any real action, I got bored and felt reluctant to continue reading. If you're looking for a no-plot-just-vibes book, this is perfect for you, and maybe some other time I would have loved it as well, but right now I'm putting it down nearly halfway through.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me the ARC.

This book is filled with hesitation, longing, desperation, but mostly with love. Love to this little town in the American Midwest, to its residents, to the landscape, and wider - to America. It's a tribute.
Cash, the protagonist, has been living and working in Johnston his whole life. This is where he was born, went to school, where he loved and was looking for someone who would love him back. He loves this town. "Every hidden corner of Johnston I knew and loved so well." The fragment, where he talks about the Princes' parents' country house and the fields around is truly touching. It's too long to quote it all, but this one sentence should give you a hint: "Prince and I would sit on his porch for hours and watch over his kingdom, sometimes saying nothing at all."
He loved his mother, whom he lost at the age of 22, more than any other person. The way he talks about her is heartbreaking. This is the prose from a higher shelf. So touching, so emotional, so beautiful. His mother loved him like only a mother does. His father was cold and distanced. He made Cash feel unloved by him, which pained the mother. "No woman like my mother should have eyes so sad, but in that moment, she did."
Cash seems to be lost, he is looking for something and doesn't know what it is exactly, but he keeps looking. Alcohol and drugs are meant to fill the void. The void that only love can fill.

Stunning prose. Highly recommended.

While I found the prose to be dreamy, the novel itself felt like I was wandering aimlessly in a Midwestern cornfield: continuous rambling, but no defined direction. In other words, I was reading pretty sentences, but a lackluster story with bland characters. I wouldn't categorize the romance subplot as "romance," rather it felt more like a one-sided lusty infatuation on his part. The premise had potential, but ultimately struck out with me because of the weak storytelling and completely forgettable characters.

I don't want to give a very low rating because I feel like this type of book is for a very specific type of reader.
If you're looking for a more reflective view of life and those who stay in it, this is your type of book. However, I do think the writing style is beautiful, even though I was a little bored sometimes.

I really, really, really, really, wanted to like this more than I did. I am a HUGE Calahan Skogman fan, and I wanted to support and love his debut into the publishing world, but something about this just didn't work for me. It is 100% a me thing, because I struggle with literary fiction leaning books. I thought this might have a smidge more romance (which is fine that it didn't), but unless there is something more compelling that's getting me to read the novel, I struggle to get through a work of literary fiction. Which seems to be the case here for me personally, I found it more literary fiction leaning and there just wasn't enough happening to compel me to enjoy it more.

Thank you Unnamed Press, Skogman's team and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Blue Graffiti by Calahan Skogman is a blend of nostalgia and longing, punctuated by the seemingly unremarkable moments that give meaning to life. The novel follows Cash, a young man tethered to his roots by love and loss, and inextricably connected to his hometown, Johnston, Wisconsin. When a mysterious stranger named Rose enters his life, Cash grapples with the familiar comforts of home and the intoxicating allure of something new. In this stunning debut, Skogman masterfully captures the beauty of the mundane, inviting readers to explore the depths of small-town life and the intricate emotions that bind us to the places we call home.

Cash is a relatable and deeply empathetic protagonist; his introspective nature and love for his hometown make him endearing. His relationships with his friends, Prince and Leon, form the core of his world. They share a bond reminiscent of the found family trope seen in classics like The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Their adventures—ordinary moments like rescuing an abandoned coffee table off someone’s lawn and lugging it home three miles with your friend—are imbued with a sense of significance, illustrating how even the simplest acts can become monumental in the context of deep, abiding friendships. These relationships are the backbone of the story, offering Cash a sense of belonging and purpose amidst his existential musings.

Rose, while central to the plot, remains somewhat enigmatic. She embodies the “manic pixie dream girl” archetype, captivating Cash but not fully fleshed out as a character. Her presence is sporadic, and while she catalyzes Cash’s internal transformation, her influence on the story is more symbolic than substantial. In contrast, Prince and Leon are fully realized, their camaraderie with Cash providing some of the novel’s most memorable moments.

The novel’s meditation on the nature of small-town life is both a love letter and a lament. Skogman captures the beauty and melancholy of a place where time seems to stand still. The quiet moments—like sitting by the lake, the hum of a bar, or the simple act of watching the stars—are imbued with a sense of timelessness and nostalgia.

At the heart of Blue Graffiti is an exploration of grief and the healing power of faith. Cash is a character marked by loss—his mother’s death, his father’s abandonment, and the fading vibrancy of his once-familiar world. These experiences weigh heavily on him, shaping his worldview and his interactions with others. Through Cash, Skogman delves into the complexities of mourning, portraying it not just as an emotional state but as a continual process of reckoning with the past. The novel suggests that faith—whether in oneself, in others, or in the unseen forces that guide us—can be a beacon of hope in the darkest of times.

In many ways, Blue Graffiti feels like a modern-day On the Road by Jack Kerouac, with the key difference being that the characters never really leave their small town. It’s a reflection on the idea that adventure and self-discovery don’t always require a physical journey. Sometimes, the most significant journeys are the internal ones—the ones where we confront our demons, embrace our flaws, and come to terms with our place in the world.

Skogman, best known for his role as Matthias Helvar in Netflix’s Shadow and Bone, regularly posts his poetry on social media. As such, fans will instantly recognize his background as a poet in the novel’s lyrical prose and rich symbolism. His keen insights into the human experience will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the pull of home, the weight of loss, and the desire for something more. Blue Graffiti illuminates the profound connections we share with the people and places that shape us. It reflects the beauty in our everyday lives and reminds us that even in the quietest corners of the world, there is a universe waiting to be discovered.

Thank you NetGalley and Unnamed Press for the eARC of Blue Graffiti!

Blue Graffiti is Calahan Skogman’s love letter to the Midwest. Centered in a small town in Wisconsin, this debut novel is authentic and soulful. Calahan utilizes a stream of consciousness style of writing that bleeds lyrical prose.

Blue Graffiti is all about finding the beauty in the mundane and viewing the world through a truly romantic lens. It is beautiful and poetic, vivid and intimate.

From one Midwesterner to another, bravo and congratulations. Just wait until you hear him narrating the audiobook!

If you’re wanting more, Calahan Skogman talks about his writing inspirations and journey on Must Love Books Podcast, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts (episode releases August 13).

A meandering, lyrical, nostalgic story that romanticizes life in the American Midwest. The novel did a good job of conveying the protagonist's emotional struggles and ambitions. It depicts childhood friendships that turn into adulthood companionship, has a sweet love story intertwined with parental issues, and an exploration of grief. The prose was beautiful in some places, but it was a bore to get through in some. It was a tender, slow, reflective read. By the end of this novel, I did feel an emotional attachment to the characters, but I don't think they were particularly memorable. A 3.5-star book, pretty good for a debut.

Thank you Netgalley and Unnamed Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

if the actor who plays Matthias Helvar writes a book, I read it.
@calahan.skogman

Blue Graffiti is special, it's a book that hits close to home. It's a journey in & of itself. Written with so much heart, it reads like a well crafted indie film.

Cinematic in its writing, it's also very real - " head turned to her, transfixed, I follow Prince through the door even though everything tells me to stay." The author established so much authenticity with the reader, it becomes impossible to keep down Cash's story. A man who sees more than others, observes more than others & is the deepest silent sea was a surprise I didn't expect.

Immaculate small town vibes and Cash's love for his habitat is adorable & heartwarming. His devotion to the good in people, his friends, his mum jumps off the page instilling you with hope.
The friendship in this book is a force in itself. I wanted to know more about these normal yet unique characters - a testament to the beautiful writing & descriptions. The book is able to build a distinct personality of its own.

"when was it exactly that we grew up & became men in the world?"

I loved how Cash and his gang represent the struggles, trials and tribulations of most of us & yet they're not bitter. Cash's daddy issues this become a very good hook to the story.

The book understood my need to be "dramatically alone" & I understood Cash's need to be understood.

I'm so glad I got to read this one, it's subtle & very well executed. I have so much more respect for Calahan, his ideas run deep.

I know this one's gonna stay with me for a long long time, might even become a refuge for me when I'm away from home.

This book took me a second to get used to. The writing is whimsical and deep and the sentences are a different style than I'm used to. I'm also always scared when an actor writes a book because there's always the fear that it's not going to be good. HOWEVER, once I really started focusing on this book, I couldn't stop reading. This book made me feel nostalgic and think about the people in my life and the relationships I have with my parents. I fell in love with Cash, and the grief he feels inside and how he's almost stuck in the past sometimes with his dad and mom. This novel touches on a man's relationship with his father. How no matter how shitty he can be, a little boy will mostly always look up to his dad and always want his father's love. It touches on a man's relationship with his mom, and just parents in general. How you get older and don't reach out to your parents as much. You grow up. It touches on friendship and the small town aspect. I loved the romance between Rose and Cash. It felt natural and both of them are dealing with a lot. More than anything, this book felt real. It felt like I was reading about actual characters and I find that hard to find with novels. I struggle with cliches, and this one didn't have any. I cried and laughed and smiled and felt this novel was real and could picture it so clearly in my mind. All in all, I cannot wait for this to be out and it was definitely a surprise.

Calahan Skogman does a wonderful job of capturing the feeling of small town life and nostalgia. I enjoyed the beautiful prose and the feeling of being able to slow down. It is clear that Skogman is a poet and there are so many beautiful lines throughout the book.

I was very excited for this! I’ve loved Calahan Skogman as an actor and I’ve read some of his poetry. And I cannot appreciate more how this is a love letter to his home state. It’s beautifully written, it’s so easy to read and intriguing. I will have to read a finished copy, the arc formatting was a little difficult to read and figure out the pacing. But I have no problem rereading.

And if Emily Henry is a fan, I’m a fan.

Thanks to Unnamed Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for this arc.

I was interested in the premise of the book but I could not get into the writing style. Although some of it was beautiful, other parts felt forced.

The writing style and voice felt unique and I have an appreciation for that; however, I DNF'd this book about 50% through. Unfortunately, I did not find the story interesting enough to keep my attention and I found myself rereading the same paragraphs too many times to keep going.