I had really high expectations for this one, but it didn't quite reach what I was hoping. I enjoyed the story of Cussy, but something kept me from feeling connected to her. I felt like the emotions of her struggle didn't come through. I loved hearing about the Packhorse Library and the Blue People, but often found myself wanting to skim sections. I think if you are a lover of books like I am you will be drawn to this story, I just wanted more.

Fantastic story based on real events, people and places. I felt like tge author did a great job with her research and creating a fictional story from factual information. I didn't know much about the "blue people" of Kentucky or the book women who traveled bringing books and reading material to areas that wouldn't otheriwse have access to them.

I am GUSHING over this book. Let me just tell you that it was so far out of my comfort zone and I loved every minute! ⁣⁣
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This story takes place in 1939 and is inspired by the real-life Blue People of Kentucky. I had never heard of them and immediately found myself googling and reading all about these fascinating people. Their skin was blue due to a blood disorder! ⁣⁣
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In the book, Cussy Mary is the last living female Blue. She joins the Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project and pretty much dedicates her life to bringing books to the mountain folk. She endures a treacherous route on the coolest yet most ornery mule named Junia to provide her patrons with books and her dedication to them is so inspiring and heartwarming. ⁣⁣
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Cussy Mary has to be one of my favorite female characters I’ve come across. My heart broke as she encountered discrimination and hatred because of the color of her skin. Despite all of that, she went out of her way to better the lives of the same people who ridiculed and treated her terribly. She is the epitome of selflessness and good nature. ⁣⁣
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Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about this book. It was phenomenal! ⁣⁣

This novel is a win win in that it has a strong female protagonists and highlights a part of history many are unfamiliar with. Both the facts of the blue people of Kentucky and the pack horse librarians make for fascinating reading.

The author did such a good job of creating place and vernacular. Cussy Mary was immediately likable and being a librarian and loving books were so celebrated! The story held my attention from the first page. A great read for book lovers everywhere.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson is a story about about prejudice, about being seen as "different," and about acceptance. It is set in the historical context of the blue people of Kentucky and the 1930s Pack Horse Library Project. The themes and the main character resonate, making this a memorable story. The fiction points me in the direction of history I did not know. Note: If you are a Jojo Moyes fan, compare this book to The Giver of Stars and perhaps look up and read about the controversy.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/02/the-book-woman-of-troublesome-creek.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

This book was simply amazing. I read it in one sitting. Be prepared to cry as parts of it are emotionally hard to get through, but I learned so much history that I was previously unaware of and the characters were just fantastic. Wonderful choice for book clubs.

4.5*
Two extraordinary books on the Packhorse Librarians were published in 2019. This one came out first and depicts early examples of female empowerment. As part of the WPA, women were recruited to bring reading materials to remote areas of the hills of Appalachia. Richardson includes the fascinating character of Cussy Carter, a young woman who is one of the Blue People of Kentucky. What might sound like a strange fictional creation is actually a fact. There was a family who lived in the hills and who literally had blue skin. Cussy is ostracized for her color and joining the librarian group gives her a purpose and membership with a group of strong-minded women.

The librarians not only fill a need for the community but they are supportive of each other. Their comradery is touching and meaningful. The book also takes on prejudice over skin color – both blue and black. But it is the impact of the program that carries the plot. The act of bringing magazines, books, recipes and how-to information to people in isolated parts of Appalachia is celebrated, and demonstrates the power of reading.

Though similar in setting, this book is a delightful complement to the other novel, Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes. Read both and delight in the foresight that created the Packhorse program and the courageous women who made history and took a stand for something they believed in.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the early copy.

I could not connect with the main plot or writing style. I decided to put it down.

I feel I am in the minority here. I didn't love this book. I did like the historical aspects. I didn't find the characters to be very believable. I had a very hard time getting to the end as the story moved so slowly. I didn't like the ending and found it quite dramatic compared to the rest of the book. For me the story was disjointed and disappointing. I love history, but I just couldn't get into the story.

Focusing on the book women of Kentucky as well as the blue people of Kentucky, Richardson's story is a must read for book lovers and history lovers alike. The main characters are likable and it is easy to become vested in their story.

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley

My first five star read of the year! I loved this book. I listened to the audio version and that enhanced the story even more. The main character was amazing. So strong and brave, I was rooting for her the whole time. My only complaint was that it ended abruptly. I needed a few more chapters to wrap things up.



I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley for review, but I purchased a copy for myself as well.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* The historically accurate aspect of this book is what really makes it amazing, I can tell a lot of research went into this book bc it shows! I enjoyed the characters and this had so much going on but not in a bad way! and as always love that it wasn't sexual, tho there are some graphic r*pe scenes

I ended up listening to this book, and the narration was amazing. I think the writing in this story was so well done to show what it was like to be a packhorse librarian and to also be one of Kentucky's blue people. I felt connected to the library patron's lives, loved the story of Cussy's life and what she would do to help those around her.

A book all book lovers will devour .A traveling on horseback librarians fascinating to read this novel add in blue skin something new to me.So well written a bookworms dream book.#netgalley#sourcebooks

A book that I only heard about due to a bit of controversy, but I am glad that I read it fully to compare and contrast against what everyone was saying. I will not compare this book to another in this review, but will say it was interesting to read this against the other.

It is 1936 in rural Kentucky and Cussy Carter is a pack house librarian. She spends her days delivering books to the outskirts of Appalachian and visiting with different families. She is unique herself as she is the last living female of the "Blue People" lineage.

Most of the plot of this story revolved around her being blue and how that impacted her daily life. The people in her town defined a blue person as a "colored person" and this whole plot line made me do a few google searches and learn about the lineage and family and how they were treated throughout the years. I felt as though the book focused on this more than the idea of the pack horse library.

There were some sweet moments as Cussy visited her "neighbors" and delivered books and I loved those, but the logistics of the library were sort of glossed over and didn't get as much attention.

I liked this book, but didn't love it. I felt as though it was placed in a historical time and place, but it didn't feel rooted there.

Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this marvelous book. The “Blues” of Kentucky was a new concept for me and to find that it is a real condition made the story all the more interesting. What a pure heart Cussy Mary had and the fact that she valued the power of books and reading made me root for her all the more.

"The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a powerful message about how the written word affects people--a story of hope and heartbreak, raw courage and strength splintered with poverty and oppression, and one woman's chances beyond the darkly hollows. Inspired by the true and historical blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the brave and dedicated Kentucky Pack Horse library service, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek showcases a bold and unique tale of the Packhorse Librarians in literary novels — a story of fierce strength and one woman's belief that books can carry us anywhere — even back home."

-This book draws you in right from the beginning. It is a heartbreaking and heartwarming story line. Inspiring and unforgettable characters. This book will eat you up and chew you out! Great read!

One of the best books I read in 2019.

One of the reasons why I love reading historical fiction is because these books not only help me look at history and historical incidents in a new light but also introduce some aspects of history I was not aware of. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek did just that.

Until I read this book, I was completely unaware of the existence of the blue-skinned people of Kentucky, USA who were shunned and mistreated in the same way the black people were, sometimes even worse.

Also, I was completely unaware of Eleanor Roosevelt and the WPA's efforts to spread literacy to the remote, impoverished mountain areas of USA by introducing the Pack Horse Library Project during the Great Depression years.

Using both these aspects, Kim Michele weaves a moving, poignant story of Mary Cussy, a Bluet, who fights the prejudices and hate meted out against her at every step to fulfil her passion of being a pack horse librarian and helping the impoverished families bear their hardships of poverty and hunger through the magic of books.

My thanks to Netgally, the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark and the author Kim Michele Richardson for giving me an e-Arc of the book. I apologise for putting up a review so late.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fascinating look at two little known historical topics: the blue people of Kentucky and the pack horse librarians hired by the WPA to tak books to impoverished areas in the United States.

Cussy Mary Carter is the last of her people, the Blue Carters. Her mother has died, and her father is slowly killing himself working in the mines. (This book also touches on the deplorable conditions miners faced. Cussy is proud of her job as a Book Woman, but her father wants more for her; a husband to care for her when he’s gone.

How Cussy deals with what life sends her way is inspiring. Definitely going to be one of my favorites of the year, even if it is just January 4.