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What a gorgeous book! I couldn't put it down, and the ending didn't disappoint. You just can't help but adore the protagonist, from beginning to end. And, I also learned a bit of Kentucky history, which is always a fabulous bonus. 👌

#wintercosy @puddlejumper Reading goals: finish at least five books this winter! Starting with this one. :)

Excited to start this one. Thankful for my NYPL card! #libby

#LMPBC #GroupG

What do you all think of these options? Would any of these work?

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#CurrentlyReading

I gave this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️ on Goodreads

I didn't know about the existence of the Blue People in the Appalachians until I read this book. Some interesting science behind their appearance and history behind where they came from. The story is charming but painful at times.

For fans of librarians, mules and Appalachian literature.

#TheBookWomanofTroublesomeCreek #KimMicheleRichardson #BookSpinBingo

Cussy Mary Carter is the last of her kind, her skin is a shade of blue which marks her as a Blue who is often blamed for any whiff of trouble. Not everyone is keen on Cussy's family or the Library Project. 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.

I finished 11 books this month and feel like I read a good combination of books. My favorites are probably The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek & The Woman They Could Not Silence.

#MonthlyStats #ReadingStats #BookSpinBingo

Engaging novel with a resolute heroine that embodies the best of us despite hardship, abuse and the peculiar discrimination of being blue. Cussy Mary Carter is a young woman finding her way in the poverty stricken backcountry of Appalachia. Despite helping others in her role as a pack horse librarian she is ostracized and abused for being blue. When a cure is found Cussy finds she has to choose between being white or being blue. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I really enjoyed Cussy Mary Carter‘s story and learning more about the pack horse librarian as well Kentucky life. I thought the ending was hurried though but over all a very solid, quick read.

This historical fiction novel was fascinating in several ways. I thought the setting was very well done and thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the pack horse librarians as well as the blue people of Kentucky. It was sometimes a difficult read due to the poverty and discrimination, but it was ultimately hopeful and the book love throughout was wonderful.

It is a beautiful Saturday morning for an iced coffee and a new book in the backyard with Eleanor. I have so many things to do today, but there was time first for a couple chapters of this book that I‘ve very much been wanting to read. I also learned a fun new fact about groups of vultures.

#DogsOfLitsy

Compared to The Giver of Stars, I thought this was the more original story, but I have to say I didn‘t like it as well. I thought the characters were less believable and I couldn‘t really engage with the read. 2/5📚s

This was my library's book club pick this month. I'm a big fan of character driven stories and with Cussy Mary as the main character I absolutely loved this one.

Learning about the librarians and blue people made this even more enjoyable. I'm expecting my group will have a lot to discuss with this one.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Loved this story! And learned about the “blues” of Kentucky. 🌟🌟 🌟🌟🌟

One of the books we are reading later this year is on sale on kindle in the US today for anyone who is interested in picking it up. #SheSaid

Similar to JoJo Moyes, The Giver of Stars, this book is about the amazing Pack Horse librarians. What makes this story unique is that our “Book Woman” is a from a family that lived in the hills of Kentucky, commonly known as the "Blue People of Kentucky" who are notable for having been carriers of a genetic trait that led to the blood disorder methemoglobinemia, which causes the appearance of blue-tinged skin. Super interesting!!

This is more character driven than I usually go for. But I love the characters.

3.5 ⭐️

I enjoyed learning about the blue people of Kentucky and the librarians (book women) that traveled the hills to deliver books to the impoverished families in the hills. Parts of it were slow which caused me to rate it lower. It is also quite a sad book with a lot of death, racism, and mistreatment of women.

Started out slow but has turned into a good book

Enjoyed reading about a time in history that was unknown to me. Such a hard time to live. Amazing women that made sure many people were exposed to books that normally wouldn‘t have.

I loved this historical fiction novel! Cussy Mary is a strong female character, likable. The English teacher in me is thrilled with the book love!

Fascinating read! I really loved the heroine!!

Here are links to the podcast of the author of
The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek!
?‍♀️****THERE ARE SPOILERS ****?‍♀️
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y5R70-w0AVg
 
Podcast: https://tbrnetwork.com/podcasts/bookreporter-talks-to/bookreporter-talks-to-kim-...
 

It was interesting to learn about the Pack Horse Librarians and the program that existed back then to get books to people and while I had previously heard of the blue skinned people of Kentucky this was my first time reading a book that included them.
Overall, interesting book covering an interesting time but there was something about it that still left me feeling like it was a so-so read.

The Litsy ATX Reader‘s Society met today to discuss this month‘s topic: Books About Books or Libraries. I enjoyed all four of the books I read for it, to varying degrees. I think I actually liked the two non fiction best, which is unusual for me.

#LitsyATXReadersSociety #LARS #BooksAboutBooks

May‘s topic: Something You‘ve Been Meaning to Read for a Long Time but Keep Putting Off.

(We‘re still meeting online. Let me know if you‘d like to join)

I love the idea of delivering books, magazines, newspapers, and other reading materials by horseback to rural folks in the Appalachians. And I knew nothing about the “blue people” of Kentucky.

I found the story pretty predictable, but I still enjoyed it. The afterword has a lot of good information.

Very enjoyable and interesting fiction telling the story of a young blue-skinned Kentucky Pack Horse librarian in the 1930s.
This is a very moving read, showing the ugliness of the world, but also how kind and supportive some people can be.
Keep some tissues nearby. Sometimes, actually, I find it nice to cry over a book. For some reasons, it relieves some tensions... Am I the only one?

This is a great book and hard to read. The MC is a "blue person" from Kentucky and she delivers books & even mail to those around her. You cheer & care for all the good ppl in this book & highly dislike the racist, narrow minded ppl.

Excellent historical fiction.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

#FirstLineFridays

Thank you so much for the books and goodies @Texreader !! These are my favorite notecards! I‘m very excited about the tagged book since it takes place in Kentucky!! #LLSS #LitsyLoveSpringSwap

What an amazing book, this one is not to be missed! #bookspin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

I enjoyed the story of the KY blue people and of course the Pack Horse Librarians. I liked The Giver of Stars better though, I just thought the overall story was more entertaining. Anyone read both and have any thoughts/opinions?

Us southern mountain people have a saying. "If it's not one thing, it's another." Troublesome Creek is aptly named because trouble keeps stacking up for these people. Very few peaceful, happy moments for poor Cussy Mary and I'll tell you - there were a few times I wished a few characters were real and his and her necks were in my hands.

This book was so good I have no words. Great historical fiction very interesting, heartfelt, heartbreaking a must read!

#bookspinbingo for March!! @TheAromaofBooks

This was a great book! The scene was set beautifully and the characters were fun to get to know. I learned a lot while reading this one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Could have used some editing, but enthusiasm & sweetness charmed. Cussy Mary lives with her coal miner father in 1936 “Kaintuk,” shares hereditary blood condition that turns skin blue. A Pack Horse Librarian, part of WPA program to bring reading material to hillfolk. Colorful characters, including additudinal mule. Hard to write a convincing but readable Appalachian dialect, mostly succeeds. Cussy serves community, even when met with disdain. 2019

⭐⭐⭐⭐
I enjoyed this one, but holy smokes it was sad. In the hard scrabble hills of depression-era Kentucky, tender and strong Cussy Mary is a heroine to cheer for. I never knew about the blue people of Kentucky or the pack horse librarians. I thought I was getting into a sweet little tale about book deliveries/mobile libraries but this was so much more. #newyearwhodis @Kdgordon88 @monalyisha

I love discovering historical fiction about a time and place I know little about. So reading Cussy Mary's story and learning a bit about depression era Kentucky, Pack Horse librarians, and the experiences of the Blue people was an interesting (and often heartbreaking) introduction. I would have loved a longer book that gave more life to the secondary characters. 👇

I was determined to finish this today and I did! Overall I really liked it. Parts of it made me mad (as racism tends to do) but I was fascinated by the pack horse librarians and I had to google the blue skinned people and methemogloinemia. I didn‘t realize they used methylene blue to treat it or that it came in pills (we carry the injectable at work but not for that). #AnyWayYouReadathin is underway!

This was exceptional The author was able to realistically portray Appalachian life and the pack horse library program in the 1930s, she did it in a respectful and intense way. I cried at points. She deals with racism, educational issues, poverty, working conditions in such a beautiful and thought-provoking way.
#Booked2021 (counting as Appalachian summer read, is that okay) #BFC21 @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage @wanderinglynn

@sebrittainclark OMG, this tea smells amazing! I came home “not” sick from work (I feel fine but I have a pulled muscle in my back) and decided to finally dig out my Manatea and try this tea while I try to madly finish my book group book (although we‘re meeting via Facebook these days so no rush).

Thx for the tag @Chrissyreadit and for #Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView
1. Yes, they encourage me to read more and different genres.
2. No favorite yet, new to Litsy and challenges, the #Booked2021 seems like it will really push me to read new things😊
Tag you are it @CaffeineAndCandy 😊

The nominations in #12Booksof2020 for this book has made me pick up as the first book to read in 2021.

Took me awhile to figure it all out-more historic fiction-but then we were off. It‘s a story of the Kentucky blue skinned people. How one lady, last of her kind, basically caught to have a happy simple life by toting books to her patrons. Even while she fought to make life worth it to these starving people, as that‘s life in coal mining towns. Really enjoyed the story. also the most bittersweet ending ever
Very good story about today + skin color

Here are my top reads from this year.
#Bestof2020