The Book Woman's Daughter

Kim Michele Richardson — 2022

From the New York Timesbestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek! Bestselling historical fiction author Kim Michele Richardson is back with the perfect book club read following Honey Mary Angeline Lovett, the daughter of the beloved Troublesome book woman, who must fight for her own independence with the helpf of the women who guide her and the books that set her free. In the ruggedness of the beautiful Kentucky mountains, Honey Lovett has always known that the old ways can make a hard life harder. As the daughter of the famed blue-skinned, Troublesome Creek packhorse librarian, Honey and her family have been hiding from the law all her life. But when her mother and father are imprisoned, Honey realizes she must fight to stay free, or risk being sent away for good. Picking up her mother's old packhorse library route, Honey begins to deliver books to the remote hollers of Appalachia. Honey is looking to prove that she doesn't need anyone telling her how to survive. But the route can be treacherous, and some folks aren't as keen to let a woman pave her own way. If Honey wants to bring the freedom books provide to the families who need it most, she's going to have to fight for her place, and along the way, learn that the extraordinary women who run the hills and hollers can make all the difference in the world. "In Kim Michele Richardson's beautifully and authentically rendered The Book Woman's Daughtershe once again paints a stunning portrait of the raw, somber beauty of Appalachia, the strong resolve of remarkable women living in a world dominated by men, and the power of books and sisterhood to prevail in the harshest circumstances. A critical and profoundly important read for our time. Badassery womanhood at its best!"--Sara Gruen, #1 New York Timesbestselling author of Water for Elephants "Fierce, beautiful and inspirational, Kim Michele Richardson has created a powerful tale about brave extraordinary heroines who are downright haunting and unforgettable."--Karen Abbott, New York Timesbestselling author of The Ghosts of Eden Parkand Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy

Reviews

Carissa @currancm

Mar 27, 2023

I can’t think back to another nonfiction text that I have loved as much as this one since To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Kim Michelle Richardson writes a powerful tribute to the importance and power of books, Eastern Kentucky and Knoxville, and the AMAZING Pack Horse Library Project. An amazing sense of place and time reflected on in this realisticallv portrayed and well researched story of 1950's Kentucky. As I read the memories of living in East Tennessee and Appalachia, many vacations boating on Lake Cumberland, and enjoying a meal at Regas makes me smile. The Book Woman’s Daughter shares the difficulties this in many Appalachia have had over the years to get into progress and issues they have dealt with so much. This book discusses the harsh conversation of race, education, coal mining, and the Great Depression. It shows the lack of support that women and African-Americans have dealt with and how hard life even in the 50s still was. In the Book Woman’s Daughter, Kim Michelle Richardson did a marvelous job of bringing up history and strong issues. She discusses how important it is to help with progress and share the knowledge with those less fortunate. While reading this fantastic novel I laughed, cried, and got angry, living through the life of Honey. This book, shows how Honey faces many racist issues, the need for change, bravery, determination, and issues that Kentucky, Tennessee and the Appalachias took many extra years to overcome. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram at booksbrewsbotanicals