The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek cover art

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

A Novel

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The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

By: Kim Michele Richardson
Narrated by: Katie Schorr
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About this listen

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.

©2019 Kim Michele Richardson (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Small Town & Rural Women's Fiction Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Feel-Good Southern Historical Fiction

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All stars
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I will read this book again after a while, it had me gripped from beginning till the end.

Loved it

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loved it from start to finish... interesting sad loving heartbreaking couldn't put it down .. best book I've read this year by far

what a beautiful read

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Absolutely loved this book, issues brought to light in it were well researched by the writer. The main character, Cussy, was incredible. I never knew there was a condition called methemoglobinemiane, found myself reading up on the Blue people of Kentucky (the Fugates). Cussy was a pack horse librarian - again another fascinating part of history. She was such a strong, truely beautiful and caring character, even with all the abuse she received. This is not a fluffy book and truly heartbreaking the amount of racist abuse that Cussy and her father and generations of family were subject too over years. Queenie (❤️ w onderful) Jackson and Cussy's father were all great characters. One of my favourite books this year! Cannot recommend enough.

Brilliant

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Very interesting fiction based on fact. Descriptive, colourful, and thought-provoking - thorougly enjoyable read.

Well written and well read

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The narration fitted perfectly, making it compulsive listening. The story brings to life the harsh reality of Kentucky rural life for many people.

A fascinating story weaving fact with fiction

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A beautiful story, linked to history.
I never knew about the blue folk and it got me researching to learn more about them.
Kim's characters give great insight into life in Kentucky in those times.
I enjoyed the narration even though she missed a beat or two.
I'd recommend this gentle tale as worth a listen.

Loved it.

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This book was a far cry from my usual
crime and fantasy reads, but I enjoyed it tremendously. The conditions under which these people people lived was heartbreaking.

excellent!

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A telling and inspiring story about the hardships endured by this brave band of mainly women in the early part of the last century.

Whilst not only helping to spread the printed word, literary choices for all ages, and all abilities in extreme poverty, stricken areas of the appellations, the author weaves together this fascinating, and sometimes quite harrowing story of this brave young woman. Following her and her brave mule through trials and tribulations, whilst delivering books in its self proposed geographical and strategic difficulties, this poor woman suffered a rare and deficient, blood disease, and although this was later found to be curable. She was still judged as a coloured and dealt with in a similarly vicious discriminatory manner by the local community.
The authors note toward the end of the book is fascinating and delivers a few of the missing pieces to the reader which helps to further explain the accuracy of many of the details.

I would highly recommend this book to fellow readers.

An inspiring story about travelling librarians in the Appellation Mountains in the 1930s

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worth every minute of listening. Cussy Mary ,and all the bookwomen , are my heroes .

Touching

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I enjoyed this story - beautifully written and read. Didn’t want it to end, I would definitely recommend .

Lovely

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