People often quote the magic of books and talk about their ability to transport one around the globe or to another world. Kim Michele Richardson’s The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek preaches the importance of such a power. Set in the hollers of Depression-era Kentucky, the novel serves as a testament to the power of the written word, arguing that words can traverse barriers between class, race and individual differences.

Richardson’s heroine, 19-year-old Cussy Mary Carter, has blue skin. Based on the true story on the blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the Pack Horse Library Project, Cussy faces discrimination and danger as she tackles her routes as a traveling librarian. Hired by the WPA, Cussy’s job entails trekking across treacherous mountain passes to carry books to students and families who do not have access to them.

Along her travels, Cussy encounters a variety of people, many of whom are frightened by her skin color. However, her kindness and her continued dedication sway her patrons’ emotions, leading to real friendships and compassion. Throughout the novel, the influence of books is magical. Many of Cussy’s patrons are impoverished, starving and barely know how to read; yet, the instruction manuals, novels, pamphlets and knowledge she brings eases their pain and gives them hope. Cussy’s job is “a joy bolted free, lessening my own grievances, forgiving spent youth and dying dreams lost to a hard life, the hard land, and to folks’ hard thoughts and partialities.”

Not all of the hillfolk are taken in by Cussy, though. While on the job and at home, Cussy lives in fear of being hunted by bigots. When confronted with doctors who think they have a cure, Cussy encounters a whole new set of dilemmas and a whole new brand of racism. As she continues to battle through her difficult life with grace and benevolence, Cussy holds fast to her books and her patrons: the only people and things who seem to accept her as she is. Cussy’s self-reliance, perseverance and generosity are inspiring to say the least. Richardson has created a beautiful role model, one who demonstrates the unlimited and immeasurable strength of women.

Richardson’s descriptions throughout the novel breathe life into the mountains, the books and the lives of her characters. She captures both the beauty of the mountains and the ugliness of ignorance. Despite so much tragedy, the novel bleeds hope. It serves as a wonderful reminder that our similarities can overcome our differences—and a love of reading is one of those similarities. In a time of constant polarization, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek reminds us that all is not lost.

In this tale, Richardson uses the historic Pack Horse Library Project in Kentucky to tell the story of Cussy Carter, a young woman with a genetic condition that gives her skin a blue appearance. Overall, the pacing of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek wasn't great. There were many long stretches where seemingly little happened which lowered the overall reading experience.

The people of rural 1930s Kentucky are the poorest of the poor, but crave knowledge. They have no means of transportation out of their little communities and the Pack Horse Library Project brings them books and news of the world. The women librarians who brought this treasure were called Book Women.

Cussy Mary Carter is a woman who loves books and reading and knowledge. She loves her library route and the joy of bringing words to people who have little joy and happiness in their lives. But, Cussy Mary is also a Blue. Born with a genetic anomaly that causes her skin to appear blue, she is treated as a colored person and in 1930s Appalachia, racism is strong and fear stokes cruelty.

But Cussy Mary is kind, despite how others treat her and with her mule Junia, she travels the hills and hollows each week delivering books, and kindness, and hope to the people in her community. She is the one who knows who is sick, and hungry, and pregnant. She reads to them and listens as they read to her. She is the one they confide in and share their hopes and fears.

This storytelling is fantastic. The author doesn't shy away from portraying the poverty and how lack of education and resources affects everything about life. The men risk life working in the coal mines and the women must feed and care for their families with nearly nothing. The scarcity of medical facilities and inability to communicate or travel meant that too many died in childbirth or from starvation and the story doesn't minimize that.

I'm late to the party for this book, but wow. Worth the wait. Such a fascinating story that set me off down a rabbit hole of learning about the Pack Horse Library Project and the blue people of Kentucky.

Truly a remarkable story that highlights the power of literacy, kindness, and courage.

I have always loved the history of the library. In Eastern Kentucky, pack librarians made a world of words possible for thousands of children who otherwise would not have access to books. As a child, I can remember the modern version, the bookmobile, pulling into my grandmother's driveway. Richardson portrayed the "book woman" well. I enjoyed the story, and the characters were believable. Looking forward to the next installment!

Historical fiction isn't usually my jam, but I really liked this book (I ended up reading it for book club). As a library worker, I'm an automatic fan of anything about libraries or librarians, and the author's note helped give a lot of historical context for the book.

I recently read "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" by Kim Michele Richardson and I was deeply moved by the story. The novel is set in the 1930s in the Appalachian mountains, and follows the journey of a young woman named Cussy Mary Carter, who is a "Blue-skinned girl" and a member of the Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project. The story is a powerful exploration of the struggles of the marginalized and oppressed, particularly the blue-skinned people and their struggles with poverty, discrimination, and lack of education.

The book is an emotional rollercoaster that takes the reader through the hardships and triumphs of Cussy Mary Carter as she fights for her own survival and the survival of her people. The author's writing is beautiful and evocative, and I found myself completely immersed in the story. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the historical setting is richly detailed and authentic.

The themes of the book include the importance of education, the power of books and the written word, and the resilience and strength of the human spirit. The book is a reminder that despite the odds, with determination and perseverance, one can overcome any obstacle.

Overall, "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" is a poignant and moving novel that is both powerful and uplifting. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction and is looking for a story that will make them think, feel and be moved.

This is a story with a fantastic depiction of time and place, and people. An example of historical fiction at its best reflecting the worst things in life such as the racism that existed then and sadly now as well and some of the best things, the kindness of people, the importance and value of the written word, the joy that Cussy Mary got out of seeing the joy she brought to them when she delivered a book. Highly recommended!

This book was beautifully written and is an amazing story. I have personal reasons for only giving it two stars (concerning the content of the book). But overall it is a quality tale to fall into. The characters seemed so real and deep. It's a raw, authentic type of tale. And I learned history from it too.

Content includes: Harsh language. Mature topics.
Suitable for: Ages 18 & up

I do not possess an adequate vocabulary to convey just how much I loved this book. 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ is just not enough for 'The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.'

Quite simply, this book is perfection.

Compelling characters.

World building second to none.

A simple, yet oh so complex, plot.

Historically accurate and meticulously researched.

Subplots that will keep you reading long after you should have gone to sleep.

Prose so wonderfully written that the story leaps off the page and straight into your heart.

I love, love, love this book and can't wait to share it with family and friends so that I can gush about it some more.

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First, I must apologize to Kim Michele Richardson & Netgalley for not reading and reviewing this book for 3 years. I honestly thought I had read it and done my review, only to discover I had read about 3 or 4 chapters and then must have been distracted. I am very glad that I looked into it further and righted this terrible wrong.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, was very educational along with it being a very emotional story. Richardson's descriptive writing transports you to the hills of Kentucky and the hardships that were felt by these people. The descriptiveness does not stop with the location and conditions, but also brings you deeper into the varied character's daily lives and the time period of the work. I found myself caring deeply for these characters and got emotional several times while reading the book.

This book will appeal to ALL readers, since it involves getting books and other reading material to everyone longing to escape or ease their desperate lives. I am anxiously awaiting The Book Woman s Daughter, book #2 in this series, which will be released in about a week

Wow. This book is absolutely fantastic! I cannot get enough of books about books and librarians and this one is phenomenal and unforgettable. Will be recommending to everyone!

The hill people of Kentucky struggled through a lot in the 1930's. This book takes place in 1936 when a new program was created to bring literature to the Kentucky hills. Book Women would travel from house to house throughout the hills to deliver books and magazines to the people that lived too far away from any town centers.

Cussy Mary is a Blue, one of the last. Her skin flushes blue instead of red like a white person and she is actually treated worse than the Black people in the area, she is a Blue Devil, she is tainted, odd, afflicted. But Cussy Mary just wants to bring books to people and talk about books.

Instead she becomes a rape survivor and then a science experiment. I really did not like her Pa. He didn't do anything for her and didn't listen to her! He sold her from one man, Charlie Frazier, to another, the Doc. But Cussy Mary persevered and used her tribulations to help more people.

Slower pacing but overall SO enjoyable. I knew nothing of the blue-skinned people that lived in the mountains of Kentucky. They were This book was heartbreaking but also uplifting. I should've read this 2 years ago when I got the ARC! I'm so looking forward to the sequel about grown-up Honey!

While I am rather late with this review, I want the author,publisher— and my patrons— to know that I so appreciated this amazing book. The research done by the author to assure authentic details of the remote east Kentucky coal country of the 1930’s is astounding. Ms. Richardson described the native plants that the impoverished community depended on for food, and the treacherous routes traveled by the WPA pack horse librarians. Some scenes of extreme cruelty and heartbreak will shatter readers, but will also impress upon them the believability of the events. Not a perfect book, the novel had one major predictable situation. However, the writing was satisfying, and the spirited and uncompromising main character will stay in readers’ hearts.

I think this might have been what I posted on GoodReads:
At first I thought about rating it a 3.5* book but as I got into it more and after a book discussion with library members, I changed my mind to a strong 4*. At first didn't consider reading it because I liked "Giver of Stars" but glad I changed my mind because while these two books are similar in that they do tell about the Book Women of Kentucky and a Blue Woman, it is different and both were enjoyed by me. Recommended.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek gives the reader a new appreciation of the role of libraries and librarians. They are the heart of the community and connect people who do not have the means to purchase books and other reading material. To say that the Kentucky librarians went beyond the call of duty is an understatement. The author did an amazing job of bringing 1930s Kentucky to life when women were still considered the property of their husbands. The face-paced story kept me intrigued and introduced me to the Blue People of Kentucky. It was sad to think that no matter what Cussy does to try to change people's perception of her, nothing makes a difference. Even so, she manages to make a life for herself. I look forward to reading Kim Michelle Richardson's next book.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction set in Kentucky in 1936. Nineteen year old Cussy Mary Carter has just begun work as a Pack Horse Librarian - this program was set up as part of the WPA program set up by the Roosevelt government in response to the Great Depression. The program was two fold - to provide paid employment for many people, mostly womn, and to provide reading materials to impoverished and isolated people. Cussy Mary is also known as 'Bluet' due to the colour of her skin. She has a rare blood disorder which turns her skin blue. She believes that she is the last of the Kentucky blues. The story is about Cussy and her library patrons and the lengths people will go to for education.

As someone who loves books, strong women, and learning history of her home state, Kentucky, 'The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek' ticked all my boxes!

I know there was some controversy initially with a famous author who wrote a very similar storyline, however, Kim Michele Richardson is the real deal. She's a Kentucky Girl herself and knows the trials and tribulations of growing up without in small town Kentucky having spent a chunk of her childhood in an orphanage.

Richardson's telling of what life was like for the Blue People of Kentucky was beautifully fulfilled within Cussy - part of the Blue People as well as a brave Pack Horse Librarian. Not only was it beautifully written, but also gave Richardson a chance to talk about inclusion and loving all those around us, even if they look very different. Using Kentucky Blue People was a genius way to bring a new angle to a conversation that never seems to find a solution.

Please pick up this book. It is hard, but heartwarming. It is, at times, gut wrenching, but also emotionally fulfilling.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

This was an interesting story. I loved the beginning of the book and the dynamics of Bluet and the other pack horse librarians. It was a lovely glimpse into the great impact that these women had on rural America. The story dragged a bit at times, but then picked up and brought me to tears. We forget at times that others suffered racism and bigotry. I’m thankful fir the author reminding us of this time in history and this group of people.

This book was amazing. Two years later, I'm still thinking about this book. I read it on the suggestion of a friend - I once lived near this area of Kentucky - and wow... it was a great book. I'm planning to use this book as a cutting for one of my students - I teach competitive speech now. Thank you for the chance to read this book.

An interesting read with a great cast of characters, and a period/place in history that I didn’t know anything about. Sad to see the struggles minority groups face seem to have changed so little over time, but so important to face up to these less-than-pleasant parts of history, and the support they offered each other offers hope.