The Book Woman's Daughter (The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, 2)

by Kim Michele Richardson

Paperback, 2022

Call number

FC RIC

Collection

Publication

Sourcebooks Landmark (2022), 352 pages

Description

"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"--… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member jetangen4571
1953, abuse, PTSD, Appalachia, beatings, National Parks Fire Service, grief, grieving, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, hope, horror, Kentucky*****

Honey Mary Angeline Lovett and her mother are fiction. The horrors of spousal
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abuse, starvation, prejudice against yellow/ indigenous/ blue/ black skin colors, and coal mining are real. Also real is the recessant gene for methemogobinemia with the dubious studies and treatment of the 1930s (and beyond, including forced sterilization of Blues), the pride and perseverance of the people of Appalachia, the WPA Pack Horse Project librarians including the kindness of those who donated reading materials, the Frontier Nurse Service, the National Parks Fire Service, and dialectical issues.
This book is as riveting a story as the first. DON'T MISS IT!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley. Thank you!
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LibraryThing member phyllis.shepherd
This sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek returns to the hill country of Eastern Kentucky. I found it to be interesting and a pleasant read, but less so than the first book.
LibraryThing member gpangel
The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson is a 2022 Sourcebooks Landmark publication.

This follow up to "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek”, centers around Honey Mary Angeline Lovett, and her fight for independence after her parents are jailed. Honey, at sixteen year of age, is not
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quite old enough to live without a guardian and forces are at work to send her to a horrible work- house like environment, unless she can find someone to stay with until she’s of age.

Eventually, Honey finds herself following in her mother’s footsteps, delivering books to the far corners of Appalachia. Her journey is paved with hardships and challenges, but with some help from her friends and supporters, she channels her mother’s fighting spirit to face adversity and overcome the obstacles in her way.

I loved this book as much as I did the first one!! Honey is a compassionate, determined character. Despite the odds against her, she never settles, and though she could take an easier path, she stays true to herself instead. I also loved the way her friends had her back and did all they could to keep her safe and free.

Honey’s story is difficult, as she deals with some of the same issues her mother faced, but ultimately it is one of triumph and inspiration.

Overall, this is a deeply absorbing novel, with well-drawn characters, and as with the previous book, it is very descriptive, honoring the time and the place. I hope we hear from these characters again in the future as I am sure there are many more stories to be told!

4.5 stars
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LibraryThing member Maret-G
When I saw this book at NetGalley, I immediately requested it. I loved The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and expected this to be equally interesting. And I was not mistaken. This is the continuation of a beautiful story that can be read on its own, however I would suggest to read it in order.

The
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story continues with Cussy's daughter, Honey Mary Lovett, who was born as a blue-skinned girl in Kentucky mountains. Her parents had been hiding from society and when they've got arrested for violating miscegenation laws, Honey escapes to Troublesome Creek, the place where her mother used to be a packhorse librarian. She follows into her mother's footsteps by delivering books and reading materials to those who didn't have access to a library. Among those Kentuckians, Honey meets trusted people and some of them become her close friends. There are also villains from whom she suffers all kinds of prejudice and mistrust.

This is a very absorbing story with well-developed characters and an interesting plot. The author nicely captured life in the hills of Kentucky during the 1950s and vividly described people's prejudices and men’s violence and abusiveness. It's a truly amazing book that provides the reader with a view of political injustice and emancipation. But most importantly, it’s about bravery of the young woman who fought for her rights and freedoms.
I highly recommend this historical fiction. One of the best books I’ve read this year.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the digital ARC of this book.
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LibraryThing member BookDivasReads
Another winner from Kim Michele Richardson. I've been anxiously awaiting this sequel and it did not disappoint. Honey's story was just as poignant as Cussy Mary's. If I had one problem it would be that the story ended all too soon. I need to know what happens to Cussy Mary and Jackson, as well as
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Honey. I can only hope that there's another installment coming to "The Book Woman's" series.
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LibraryThing member CassiesBooksReader
The Book Woman's Daughter is a brilliant Historical Fiction Novel by Kim Michele Richardson about a young packhorse librarian who follows in her mother’s footsteps.
I’m a Kentuckian and loved this book, devouring all of the wonderful Kentucky history this book offers. Read, live and walk with
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your ancestors, relive the stories you heard about family. Listen to the accents, the words from home. Can you hear the words, the sentences, a way of speaking only Kentuckians will fully understand? Read about the brave mountain people that worked hard, overcame obstacles and risked their lives because of their love for family and friends. If you’re not from Kentucky or the Applachians you will learn about a very special place and people. This book includes a reader’s guide, the author’s notes and wonderful historical photos. I have enjoyed all of this author’s Kentucky stories. Don’t miss even one book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. Fabulous 5 Stars
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LibraryThing member claudia.castenir
This wonderful sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek will work as a stand alone read, but please don't deprive yourself of reading both books in order which will increase your emotional attachment to the characters in The Book Woman's Daughter. Honey Lovett is left to fend for herself after
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her parents are imprisoned for violating Kentucky's miscegenation laws, her father being white and her mother a Blue. The Blue people of Kentucky first arrived around 1820 when a French orphan who carried the gene for the rare blood disorder that causes a blue skin hue claimed a land grant there. The Blues suffered prejudices and unfair treatment for many years. It was not much different for our fictional Honey in the 1950s who was noted as being one of the last of the dwindling number of Blues. Fortunately there were those who embraced Honey and her mother before her as friends and contributing community members as they worked to provide books to those living in hard-to-reach areas of Appalachia.

This story of courage, sisterhood, survival, and respect for others is heart touching. While I usually read and review Christian fiction, and this book is not that, I am pleased that the author carefully handled scenes that others may have described in a more graphic manner. In my mind it is a thoughtful author that knows when to allow readers the opportunity to restrict or give rein to their mental images by providing just enough information to get the point across. Kim Michele Richardson is such an author. I highly recommend this book and its predecessor, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
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LibraryThing member sdbookhound
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek was one of my favorite books the year it came out. I was excited to learn about the publication of The Book Woman's Daughter. In this book, we learn what has happened in the years since the first book ended. Honey is now sixteen years old and is faced with being
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left alone when her parents are taken to prison just for loving each other and wanting to be a family. She faces some serious challenges as she fights for a way to be free and not be faced with entering an institution where she would perform hard physical labor until she is 21 years old.

I truly loved this book almost as much as the first one. To say that parts of it were uncomfortable and heartbreaking would be an understatement. The writing was outstanding. The courage Honey had to face her future and advocate for her parents was inspiring. You wouldn't have to read the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek before reading this book, but I would recommend it so you would have the full background. I was more than satisfied with how the book ended and look forward to the possibility of another book in the future.


My sincere thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my opinion of it. I give this book an enthusiastic 5 stars.
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LibraryThing member lostinalibrary
After her parents are arrested for miscegenation under Kansas law - her mother is blue and her father is white - Honey Lovett is forced to fend for herself. It isn’t easy for her and she encounters prejudice because she is also a blue (though just in her hands and feet) as well as ignorance and
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cruelty. Fortunately, she also finds many people to help her along the way and when she takes over her mother’s position of book woman, she and her friends can work together to help bring change.

The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson is the sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and it is just as beautiful and beautifully written as the first book. It kept me riveted to the page from first to the last. Although it covers many highly charged emotional issues like prejudice, domestic assault, bullying, and poverty, it never slips into schmaltz or emotional manipulation.

It can be read as a standalone but I recommend anyone who loves intelligent stories should read both. This is one of my favourite books so far this year and is now on my short list of books I know I will read again and again. I would like to thank Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member CandyH
I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as I did the first one. However, I’m glad I read it and will hope for a continuation of the story. This story was slow and with so many characters it was hard to follow in places.
LibraryThing member BoundTogetherForGood
This was a surprising and good follow-up to The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek. The author belabored women's issues a bit, when I feel that the point was being made just fine.
LibraryThing member wearylibrarian
Another can’t put down book by Kim Michele Richardson. I wasn’t reading, I was actually there in the hills of Kentucky, delivering books besides Honey, riding into town, dealing with the hateful Perry Gillis, and making friends with those along the route.
LibraryThing member jillrhudy
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the free advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Book Woman's Daughter is every bit as good as The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. It might even be a little better. The first book felt like it was Cussy Mary against the world,
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but her adopted daughter Honey has a "sisterhood" in other pioneering women. Pearl is a firetower watcher, and Bonnie is a miner. Even though being blue-skinned while merely existing in Kentucky is a challenge due to racism that is encoded in the law and in the views of some of her neighbors, Honey defies convention and the law and becomes another Book Woman, riding Cussy Mary's old mule Junia out into the mountains.

The description of how library materials are carefully curated, thoughtfully recommended, and delivered to Honey's far-flung patrons is, once again, a delicious delight. The hunger for books, and the provision of books, is once again at the heart of Richard's narrative. In a raw and harsh landscape, books are food for the spirit and for the mind.

The novel seems very timely as censorship is heating up in libraries nationwide. Honey, too, must fight against small-minded censors who find books and librarians to be a threat to morality and religion.

Kim Michele Richardson's writing gave me a sense of outraged justice and terrible danger. At the same time, a sort of homespun coziness and safety comes across in the novel, created by the hard work, love, and solidarity of mountain women. There are evil forces arrayed against them, but they prove to be incredibly tough when they stick together.
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LibraryThing member lbswiener
The Book Woman's Daughter was a well researched book. The life of a book woman in Eastern Kentucky was a well needed and welcomed profession. The author also researched laws and the hypocrisy of the unfair treatment of women and people of color including the tiny population of people who have blue
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skin. The book was given four stars in this review and is recommended for an interesting read.
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LibraryThing member bookczuk
2022 pandemic read. Followup to the Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek. Like that interesting for the historical perspective, times, and medical conditions. And I learned that a raccoon dick was used as ornamentation. Look it up.
LibraryThing member Micareads
Thanks to Kim Michele Richardson and Sourcebooks Landmark for the chance to read this advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Honey Lovett is the last of the Blues, the blue-skinned people of Kentucky and she is learning to live on her own when her parents are taken into custody for violating
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the state's miscegenation laws. Honey is sent away to live with family friend Loretta in Troublesome Creek. After Retta's untimely death, Honey is left to figure out how she hides from the law, who wants to send her to reform school until she is 21 and take care of herself at the same time.

At this time, the Women of the Pack Horse Library Project is restarting in order to put more books into the hands of those who live in the Appalachian Mountains. Honey applies for and receives the job which allows her the chance to take care of herself. There is trouble brewing in Troublesome Creek thanks to the Gillis family and their ability to find trouble everywhere. This time though their need for trouble could cost Honey her freedom.

I loved this book as much as I loved its predecessor "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" which introduced us to the Pack Horse Library Project and the Blue people of Kentucky. The continued story of the Lovett family grabbed my attention from beginning to end and I was a bit sad when it did end. I can’t wait to see if there are further books about the book women.
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LibraryThing member bgknighton
Continues the Lovett family story. Honey’s parents have been imprisoned for cohabitation and Honey is left on her own after the death of Miss Loretta, her chosen guardian. She must make a life for herself or be subject to imprisonment herself. New and old friends help her fight for her freedom. A
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strong story with strong and believable characters.
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LibraryThing member streamsong
It’s now 1953 and Cussy, the original Kentucky blue skinned (methemoglobinemia) pack horse librarian that was introduced in [The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek] has been reunited with her husband. Although he’s still ruled by the miscegenation laws that banned him from being with his wife, he
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has quietly slipped back to Kentucky. But it doesn’t last long. He and his wife are both arrested and sentenced to prison, leaving their sixteen year old blue-skinned adopted daughter Honey on her own. Social services wants to place Honey in the children’s prison, where she will be chained and doing physical labor until she becomes 21.

Honey flees to the next county. A string of bad luck leaves her without a guardian and hiding from the authorities. She must devise a way to stay hidden ad provide for herself until she turns eighteen. Although the Federal pack horse librarian program is long over, Kentucky itself revives the program and Honey finds herself riding the same routes she rode with her mother when she was a small child. She not only faces the stigma for her color, but along with several other young women she meets, also faces misogyny against women trying to make their own way in jobs once considered male only. And then there is the woman with the brutal husband who simply goes missing.

I found this another interesting story of racism and sexism told through the slightly different kaleidoscopic lens of the blue people. Its hard to believe that some of the practices, such as non-consensual sterilization, were allowed in the not–so-distant 1950s, but I don’t doubt the author’s research.

I would call this a lighter read as although it tackled serious issues, I had had no doubt that things would turn out well for Honey. For that I would call it enjoyable, but not always realistic and mark it a 3.6.
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LibraryThing member SallyElizabethMurphy
3.75 stars would be a better rating. I loved the first novel, and this book was good (though not as engaging). So disturbing how poorly women and minorities were treated.
LibraryThing member dara85
Honey Lovett, 16 finds herself alone when her parents are arrested for marrying outside their race. Her mother is a "blue" and her father is white. Her guardian, Retta Adams is in her nineties, saving her from going to reform school until she is 21. Retta soon dies and Honey gets a lawyer to
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declare herself an emancipated minor. She takes a job as an outreach librarian delivering books to the hill people of Kentucky. A job her mother did back in 1930's. If you like books and historical fiction this is a great companion book to her mother's story The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
This was so close to a 5 for me - but I think that had more to do with the narration than anything else. Katie Schorr is divine and her southern accent, indignation, laughter, and levity was perfect for this book. This book is a sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek but can also be read as
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a standalone. Honey Lovett is the daughter of the infamous blue skinned Kentucky packhorse librarian. At 16 her parents are imprisoned and Honey finds herself in a pickle. If she is caught she will be sent away to the children's workhouse, but what will she have to do to remain free? Well for starters she is going to have to go back to Troublesome Creek and rely on the people her mama used to serve. In the process she will reconnect with some folks who are almost as close as family, and make new friends. Set in the beautiful Kentucky mountains this book is full of adventure, bigotry, abuse, friendship, and justice. A wonderful listen.
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LibraryThing member creighley
In the ruggedness of the beautiful Kentucky mountains, Honey Lovett has always known that the old ways can make 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. Imprisoned, Honey realizes
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she must fight to stay free, or risk being sent away for good.
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LibraryThing member mojomomma
Sweet little story about young Honey, who follows in her mother's footsteps to become a book delivery by mule staffer in the Kentucky Appalachian mountains. Honey's parents are jailed for being in a mixed race marriage, so she is on her own, trying to stay away from the county social worker who
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wants to put her in an orphanage or a work camp until she is 21.
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LibraryThing member JillHannah
This was a great follow up to her "Troublesome Creek" novel, yet written in a way that you could enjoy Honey's story without reading the previous book.
It was an insightful story about not only Honey's fight for freedom--for both her and her parents--but also giving us a glimpse into women working
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in difficult jobs and facing backlash from the men and society who feel they're stealing jobs meant for men only. The story reveals the harsh realities of life in coal country, where hard-working people barely scrape by, and where "blues" are not accepted, and women are meant to do what they're told without thinking for themselves.
Such a well-written book, and one which inspired me to add "Troublesome Creek" back in my tbr (again) stack. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this wonderful historical fiction story.
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LibraryThing member gypsysmom
I read, and loved, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Since this book is a sequel to that one, I thought I would love it too. However, I didn't find it an entirely successful follow-up to the first book.

Honey Lovett is, like her mother Cussie, a Blue Fugate, people who have a blue tinge to all or
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part of their skin due to a rare condition called methemoglobinemia. Her mother rose above her condition, which people in the hill country of Kentucky, view as the same as someone with African-American inheritance. She became a much-loved pack-horse librarian bringing books and other reading material to people dwelling in the remote hollers. Honey is sixteen years old when her parents are imprisoned for violating the state's miscegenation laws. At sixteen Honey isn't deemed old enough to live on her own. An officious social worker wants to take her off to House of Reform which houses orphans in conditions as bad as, or possibly even worse, than a prison. Hoping to avoid this fate for their daughter, Honey's parents arrange for an old family friend in Troublesome Creek to act as her guardian. Honey moves in with Retta, helps her as Retta is quite elderly, and also gets a job as a pack-horse librarian for the Troublesome Creek Library. She meets the new (female) fire watcher who becomes a best friend for Honey. Other people in the area also have an eye out for her well-being but this all seems to come to naught when Retta dies. Her ne'er-do-well nephew sells the house and furnishings in order to pay off debts and have more drinking money. It looks like Honey might end up in the House of Reform. She reads an old newspaper article about a minor obtaining a writ of emancipation so that he could live on his own. She consults the town lawyer who agrees to represent her in this claim. Of course, this isn't a straight-forward deal. The afore-mentioned social worker has teamed up with the sherriff who has a grudge against Honey and they will do their best to turn the town and the judge against Honey.

Cussie and Honey aren't the only women in the book who have to overcome adversity and fight for their rights. It seems like every female character has some battle to face and I felt like there was a little too much going on. I wanted the focus to be on Honey but I kept being distracted by the woman whose miner husband was hitting her or by the female fire-watcher whose fire tower was damaged and set on fire. Lots to think about but maybe just a little too much.
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Pages

352

ISBN

1728242592 / 9781728242590
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