Many many moons ago my IRL book club read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and we loved it! I mean what’s not to love about a pack horse librarian delivering library books to those unable to get to the library?!?!

I was excited to pick up the sequel The Book Woman’s Daughter which is out today. Honey is Cussy Mary’s daughter and becomes an orphan after her parents are jailed for breaking miscegenation laws. Ugh it’s just devastating! She just find her way in life alone. She encounters multiple threats to her freedom one of which is being sent to a labor orphanage.

Such a touching story of this young girl forced to become an adult too soon. If you liked The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek you’ll like this one too. The racism made it tough to read at times. Overall I liked it but the first book was better in my opinion.

This is a timely novel in these times of prejudices and discrimination. Set in the back hills of Kentucky in 1953 we experience strong females in this time of sexism where they are treated poorly. Honey's parents are teken to prison because they are a "mixed" marriage, the other is blue (genetic). Honey herself wears gloves because of the mistreatment she receives if people see her blue hands. Only 16, she fights the social worker who wants to throw her in prison also and receives her emancipation. She is a backpack librarian and can care for herself.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson. It was a pleasure meeting The Book Woman’s daughter, Honey, and all the lovely characters that reside in Thousandsticks, Kentucky. As expected, life wasn’t easy. Still in 1953, sexism was rampant and women had little rights. Honey found solace in books and was passionate about literacy. While this book wasn’t quite a 5 star read for me, I still enjoyed it and would recommend this author, for sure.

I'm not 100% sure if my experience is because I enjoyed The Giver of Stars more, but I find the Book Woman to be underwhelming and this was no exception.

An interesting follow-up to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, telling the story of the first book's main character's daughter, who also takes on the role of pack horse librarian in the Kentucky mountains. Fans of the first book will definitely want to read this sequel!

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the chance to read an advanced copy of The Book Woman's daughter by Kim Michele Richardson. This is a sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek which came out in 2019 and that story was truly inspiring and I recommended it to many people! As soon as I found out the author was writing a story of Cussy's daughter Honey, I had to make sure to read it! Again, this book was historical fiction but based on fact, and tells how hard the life was for women in the Kentucky mountains. When Honey's parents are imprisoned, she must somehow find a way to grow up and stay free, when the law wants to send her to a reform school to become basically a slave. Honey is able to apply and get the same job as a packhorse librarian, delivering books on her mother's old library route but it is still not easy, and there are still people who do not want her to succeed and believe she is nothing but evil. This story is not only inspiring, but shows how reading can change a person, and set them on a road to not only to survive but to thrive. I definitely recommend it, but suggest reading the 1st book first. This book includes historical photos, and reading book guide.

This is the sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, but it can also function as a standalone novel. The Packhorse Librarians is one of my favorite topics, and this is a very interesting look at life in Appalachia during the 1950's. In this area, many people lived in very remote areas and depended on traveling workers such as the packhorse librarians and frontier nurses to provide services that they otherwise might not have had access to. This book really focuses on the women, the harsh realities they faced, as well as the jobs they might have had in this era. I really enjoyed learning about this time period, and I loved the relationships featured in this book, as well as the central themes of freedom and sisterhood. I enjoyed this more than the first novel.

I was so happy to hear about a sequel to the Book Woman story that I adored when I read it, and I enjoyed this one just as much. What an interesting time in our history, and also how outcasted these people must have felt. I was saddened to hear that Cussy was "sterilized" in prison and I was hoping this book would end with her getting out and raising the newly orphaned little boy...but maybe that's a story for the next book. These women were so brave and I wonder if I would have had the guts to do what they did, aside from the fact that they were frowned upon because of the color of their skin. I'm not normally a fan of historical fiction, but this is an exception for me. I would recommend this book.

A follow up tale of "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" by Kim Michele Richardson. The daughter of the blue woman in the first book, who carries the same blue gene, is now almost grown. In the opening pages Honey's mother and father are arrested for an intermarrying violation between blue and non-blue folk. (Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder in which an abnormal amount of methemoglobin is produced. causing the skin to show blue tones.)
Honey must survive by her wits and the help of sympathetic friends and neighbors to stay one step ahead of social services who are determined to bring her to an orphanage because of her young age. Honey is determined to not let this happen so she resumes her mother's library route in the hills of Kentucky. to support herself. It’s a rough life, will she be able to persevere or will the terrors of the mountain overwhelm the Book Woman’s Daughter and doom the Pack Horse Library Project?

A very delightful book that revisits many of the characters of in the book woman of troublesome creek. Her daughter continues her mother's passion about fighting illiteracy. A rooster and a mule show how loyal animals can be and the protection they provide to loved ones.

The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson is a wonderful follow up to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. There is the same sense of place in the mountains of Kentucky. The daughter’s story continues to address literacy, racism, injustice, abuse, and misogyny. Cussy’s daughter Honey picks up her mother’s packhorse library route and faces her own obstacles as her parents are imprisoned for their marriage. Not quite an adult, the community provides support and friendship amidst the challenges that Honey faces.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it to fans of the first book. If you enjoy Appalachian and southern historical fiction, this is a series for you!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

What a wonderful sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. It actually makes me want to go back and re-read that first book! This story begins with Cussy and Jackson rushing to get their adopted daughter, Honey, to safety as they once again are being harrassed and picked up by the law. As Honey hides in the woods, she witnesses them being brutalized by the lawman before she turns the beloved mule Junia away and heads to Troublesome Creek and the home of their friend Loretta. The story is multi-layered as Honey, only 16 years old, fights to find a way to stay out of the Kentucky House of Reform. With the help of her family lawyer and friends Honey begins to make an independent life of her own as she becomes the new Book Woman, following in her mother's footsteps. Honey faces the ignorance of many as they witness the "blue" color that shows on her hands when anxiety overwhelms her. Ignorance is also dangerous as Honey finds she has to face down those who threaten her and her loved ones. Honey finds strength she didn't know she had when she understands how important she and her books are to the women on her book route. There are several main characters whose acceptance and love help to guide Honey in her quest for "freedom". But we also must focus on two main characters who are not human and yet have great impact on the story, Junia the mule and Tommy the rooster. What a great addition in the way to show danger, emotions and loyalty. Its difficult to find more descriptivewords to enhance a high recommendation for this book. The author has continued the story of hardship, poverty, and bigotry of the times and yet also told the story of deep caring, perseverance, and compassion that helps the people of such communities survive. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #TheBookWoman'sDaughter #NetGalley.

The packhorse librarians hold a special place in the heart of the majestic Kentucky mountains. Cussy Lovett, a Blue, was one of the very first women to enter these hills and spread the love of literacy to many simple folks who had few luxuries in their lives. Back breaking work in the mines and hunting in these remote hollers left the women at home often taking care of numerous children, ramshackle homes and elderly relatives with very little income. Honey Lovett, Cussy’s daughter is only 16 years old when her beloved parents are arrested for miscegenation. They are sentenced to prison and Honey struggles to find freedom and a way to carry on her mother’s legacy as a packhorse librarian, her true calling. Always ready to help a neighbor Honey carries the same deep beliefs and honor as her mother. She knows that learning to read and write unquestionably changes lives. Befriending Pearl, the new female forestry fire-watcher, Honey learns first hand how deeply the prejudices and suppression runs against Blue’s and women in general. Finding the strength through newfound sisterhood and books the two women attempt to establish their valuable place in the community. This wonderful sequel can easily stand alone. What a joy to climb back into the Appalachia Mountains and characters of Troublesome Creek.

It's 1953 and Honey is stunned when her parents are arrested for loving one another and, as a 16 year old, a social worker wants to sent her to reform school until she reaches 21. Luckily, her parents had good friends in Devil John, attorney Bob Morgan, and Loretta, and they work together to rescue her. And she's got Junia the mule. Her world opens a bit more when she meets Pearl, who has come to Troublesome as a firewatcher. Her path is not easy and she's always trying to stay ahead of the Sheriff, especially after Loretta dies but she seizes the chance to become a pack horse librarian, not only for the much needed income, but also for the books. This brings her into contact with both good and very tragic situations. Keep your eye on young Wrenna and her rooster! This very atmospheric historical novel is perfectly fine as a standalone but I found myself looking for more information on the Blue People of Kentucky. While the writing is awkward in spots, the storytelling carries it through, especially once the reader is wrapped up in Honey's plight. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

This was a fun book about friendship, following your heart and filled with strong wonderful women! Honey was probably my favorite character. She is strong and determined. She's had some ups and downs like the rest of us but she never chose the easy route she always stayed true to who she was. But the others are just as wonderful so it really is a toss up. The book is well written and definitely a page turner. Great read!

THE BOOK WOMAN’S DAUGHTER
Kim Michele
Historical Fiction

When Honey Lovett’s parents are taken to jail for breaking misogyny laws and her guardian abruptly dies she must learn to take care of herself. Finding a job is hard for her thought because of the unique blue color of her hands and feet. She finally gets a job as a outreach librarian. With means to take care of herself she travels a long path to freedom.

This book can most definitely be read as a stand alone even thought there is a book about her mother. It is a very interesting look into the way things were in backwoods Kentucky where they have not caught up to the changing times. I would definitely give this book 5 stars and recommend it to any history buff or just plain book lover.

If you enjoyed The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, you will love the follow up that follows Honey, The Book Woman's daughter. This book follows Honey as she deals with her parents being locked up and is forced to fight for her freedom. At only 16 years of age, she is not yet old enough to live on her own but without emancipation, she would be forced to go to a workhouse.
This book brings back characters from the first book you loved, including Junia, the stubborn mule (spoiler alert: she's just as stubborn). It also brings back the packhorse librarian as Honey follows in her mother's footsteps. And while this book could stand alone, I feel you should read the first before picking this up.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.

This book is so beautiful. Not only is it a tribute to the power of books, but to the people of Kentucky, the author’s birthplace and to strong women.

If you loved The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek your going to love this books as well. She is brave, caring and passionate about her love of books. It could be read as a stand-alone but I would say it’s much better if you read the prior book first.

Oh this book…I loved this one so much! I loved being back in Troublesome Creek with these Troublesome women! The story is beautiful, the writing is descriptive and vivid, and you’ll want to sit for the day and just absorb yourself in this book.

This is the follow-up book to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, and I would highly recommend reading it before reading this one. It’s also a five-star read, and I think it will help to set the stage for The Book Woman’s Daughter.

Honey is 16, and her parents are heading to jail for being married and of two different colors. One blue and one white. Honey’s blue skin is only in her hands and feet, and her mama sends her off to live with Retta in Troublesome Creek while her parents serve their sentence.

Honey is such a strong woman, just like her mama, and I instantly wanted things to work out for her. It seems like there’s one problem after another for her, but she’s fierce and continues to push forward. I loved the themes about laws for women in this one. Honey wants her independence, but men make the rules for women, and Honey wants that changed. Not just for her, but for all the women she sees and knows.

This was beautifully written, and I highly recommend it for historical fiction lovers!

There are some content warnings for this one:
Spousal abuse, child abuse, forced sterilization, sexual assault.