Name: Macy M's review of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
Item: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
Rating: 4
Author: Macy M

Kim Michele Richardson

The New York Times and USA Today bestseller! "...a hauntingly atmospheric love letter to the first mobile library in Kentucky and the fierce, brave packhorse librarians who wove their way from shack to shack dispensing literacy, hope, and — just as importantly — a compassionate human connection."—Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants 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. Additional Praise for The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: "A unique story about Appalachia and the healing power of the written word."—Kirkus "A timeless and significant tale about poverty, intolerance and how books can bring hope and light to even the darkest pocket of history."—Karen Abbott, New York Times bestselling author of Liar Temptress Soldier Spy "Emotionally resonant and unforgettable, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a lush love letter to the redemptive power of books."—Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Almost Sisters

A Novel

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Dani Gale

I had known a little of the blue people of the mountains but never heard of the Pack Horse Librarian project until I was recommended this book. Historical fiction is not really something I gravitate towards but this book was an amazing read. Hard to swallow at times but eye opening to the hardships of the people in the mountains at that time. Cussy is a wonderfully brave and selfless MC who struggles seemingly hardship after hardship and doesn't get the perfect happy ending but her struggles with accepting her blue skin and acknowledging the cruelness of the Lord has her gain her happy ending. I do feel as if the last two chapters are rushed but still wrapped up wonderfully. I'd love to see this made into a limited series or movie. 

Macy M

Melissa Palmer

Bluet is a bookmobile on the back of her donkey. She is also one of the blue people--whose skin is blue. Her patrons love her; her townsfolk shun her. This was a great historical fiction read....good characters, good plot and ups and downs. I recommend it.

Barbara Williford

What a wonderful, well written story. First, I was intrigued that this was actually based on true stories. I had never heard of the blue people of Kentucky. Second, this is a heartfelt story bringing to light their history and discrimination. It shows also shows that in spite of some people’s narrow minds, others can look past the external and see the heart of the person. A story I couldn’t put down.

altlovesbooks

I learned a lot while reading this book, about the blue people of Kentucky, Appalachian culture, and more. The story was nicely told, if a bit predictable. It was an interesting look into something I hadn't known about before.

Raven Walker

I really struggled with this book. The first half of the book was extremely slow moving, and by the time it did pick up in the second half, I had already completely lost interest in the story and was just ready for it to be over. While the second half of the book was good, it just couldn't save it for me. 

I really enjoyed Cussy Mary, the main character, as well as a few of the side characters, but I struggled to connect with some of the more important characters, like Cussy's love interest, her father, and even some of her patrons that ended up playing a pretty important role later on in the book. Also, there were quite a few plot lines that had so much potential to be interesting, but nothing was really seen through all the way to the end. On several occasions, I thought we had finally gotten to a plot point that might be the main point of the story, only for it to fizzle out and never be mentioned again a few chapters later. 

I will also admit that I did read The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes before this one, and I loved that book. I know that there has been a lot of controversy surrounding whether or not Moyes plagarized parts of her book. There are many similarities between the two books that seem a little too coincidental to actually be coincidences, so I think there probably is a good chance that Moyes drew a lot of inspiration from Richardson. That being said, Moyes wrote this book WAY better.

Kimberly Page

This was a beautifully written novel. It takes a lot to move me to tears when reading, and this one did it. The descriptions of the landscape, the characters, and the authors ability to convey the discrimination and hardships Bluet/Cassy Mary faced during her life were incredible. This is a must read.

Susan Dobson

Interesting historical fiction about the blue people of Kentucky and the library system used for the remote locations of the Kentucky mountains. 

Mira McMahon

I found this book charming. I thought that with all the elements of the plot (pack mule librarian, blue skin, etc) it would be too much but Cussy was so likeable and I actually believed her character despite how elevated the plot was.

KADY BURNS

Read this for book club. It was so slow and boring to read. The ending was out of this world dramatic.

Rebecka S.

Really loved this book and fell in love with the main character and her patreons. It did however make me sad that we as people have not changed. Some still hate other people that are different.

Dani Gale &
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

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Dani Gale &The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

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Dani Gale &
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson