A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A USA TODAY BESTSELLER
A LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER
A PBS BOOK PICK
The hardscrabble folks of Troublesome Creek have to scrap for everything―everything except books, that is. Thanks to Roosevelt’s Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project, Troublesome’s got its very own traveling librarian, Cussy Mary Carter.
Cussy’s not only a book woman, however; she’s also the last of her kind, her skin a shade of blue unlike most anyone else. Not everyone is keen on Cussy’s family or the Library Project, and a Blue is often blamed for any whiff of trouble. If Cussy wants to bring the joy of books to the hill folks, she’s going to have to confront prejudice as old as the Appalachias and suspicion as deep as the holler.
Inspired by the true blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the brave and dedicated Kentucky Pack Horse library service of the 1930s, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a story of raw courage, fierce strength, and one woman’s belief that books can carry us anywhere―even back home.
Download and start listening now!
"This book rates in my top 10 absolute favorites. I love the protagonist. The author develops her slowly and carefully and you just fall in love with her. I researched the "blue people" of the Appalachian region and was so surprised to find that these dear folks actually existed. As a nurse I found the medical condition extremely interesting. "
— Lark Rials (5 out of 5 stars)
“This is Richardson’s finest, as beautiful and honest as it is fierce and heart-wrenching.”
— Karen Abbott, New York Times bestselling author“A hauntingly atmospheric love letter to the first mobile library in Kentucky and the fierce, brave pack-horse librarians who wove their way from shack to shack dispensing literacy, hope, and—just as importantly—a compassionate human connection.”
— Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author“Fascinating…The factual information alone would make this book a treasure, but with her impressive storytelling and empathy, Richardson gives us so much more.”
— Ron Rash, New York Times bestselling author"[A] demonstration of the power of learning to overcome prejudice.”
— Forbes“This gem of a historical…[is] fine rendering of rural Kentucky life.”
— Publishers Weekly“Based on true stories from different times, this novel packs a lot of hot topics into one narrative.”
— Library Journal“Schorr delivers a touching narrative performance, really striving to capture the essence of the Bluegrass State. Throughout the reading she maintains an authentic Southern lilt and uses subtle changes in her accent or pitch to differentiate among characters. Schorr especially brings Cussy’s character to life, allowing her to become a lovable, almost tangible heroine the audience is sure to adore.”
— Booklist (audio review)“Essentially about the power of reading and libraries, it also explores the extreme rural poverty of 1930s Appalachia and labor unrest among coal miners. Readers…who like to explore lesser-known aspects of American history will be fascinated.”
— Booklist“With a focus on the personal joy and broadened horizons that can result from access to reading material, this well-researched tale serves as a solid history lesson on 1930s Kentucky.”
— Kirkus Reviews“Emotionally resonant and unforgettable…a lush love letter to the redemptive power of books.”
— Joshilyn Jackson, author of Never Have I Ever“A rare literary adventure that casts librarians as heroes, smart, tough women on horseback in rough terrain doing the brave and hard work of getting the right book into the right hands. Richardson has weaved an inspiring tale about the power of literature.”
— Alexander Chee, author of Queen of the Night" A great story complemented by great narration, you will certainly enjoy this book if you're a fan of historical fiction or simply like stories set in Appalachia "
— Florentin, 9/25/2023" I read the Bookwoman's Daughter first, and loved that so much, had to read the first one and was not disappointed. Lovely story and great that is was based on true people. Loved the main character "
— Kate, 6/23/2023Kim Michele Richardson is a New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today bestselling author. She has won multiple awards, written five works of historical fiction, and a bestselling memoir. Kim Michele was born and raised in Kentucky and lives there with her family and beloved dogs. She is also the founder of Shy Rabbit, a writers residency and scholarship implemented for low-income writers. To learn more visit her website at KimMicheleRichardson.com.
Katie Schorr is an actor and writer in New York. Her one-woman show, Take Me. Seriously, ran for six months at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, and she performs throughout New York in new works at the Ensemble Studio Theatre and Ars Nova, among other theaters. She has appeared on VH1’s Best Week Ever and costars in the web series Head in the Oven with Saturday Night Live actor Bill Hader. Her audiobook credits include narrating the novels in Alyson Noel’s bestselling Immortals series. Of her work on the series, AudioFile magazine has said, “Narrator Katie Schorr has a wonderfully raspy, youthful voice, which she puts to good effect on the cast of teenage characters.”