A Haunting Story

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek hooked me at the description--a pack mule librarian of Kentucky during the Great Depression! Particularly since I'm a librarian and I have ridden a mule, I looked forward to an interesting story.

However, once I started reading this book was so much more. Author Kim Michelle Richardson completed extensive research into the pack mule librarians in order to provide details on this important service. She also incorporated historical facts and details regarding a specific group of individuals in Kentucky who are referred to as the "blue people." The combination of these two fact-based accounts into a new fiction book provided a marvelous books I couldn't put down.

Beyond a story that draws the reader in, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a haunting read in numerous ways. I found it a good reminder of just how much our world has changed in the almost 90 years since this story took place--particularly so as my grandparents lived the Depression and I grew up hearing stories about this time period. As a librarian by trade, the reminder of how much my profession has changed and how literacy has increased made me very grateful for easy access to printed materials. Richardson also shows how racism and prejudice impacted this area of the country and this specific people group at that time. This book is highly recommended! I also look forward to exploring other books by this author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.