Book Woman Stole My Heart

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Kim Michele Richardson has written a fabulous book about 1936 Kentucky and the Pack Horse Library Project. This was something I had never heard of until recently and reading her words about the main character, Cussy Carter as she delivered books on her mule to the poor, poverty stricken people of mountainous Kentucky made me feel as if I was there. This story, although fiction, was based on the true story of the blue-skinned people of Kentucky, a family whose ancestor carried the gene that caused this congenital condition.

Cassie was known as “Book Woman” to her eager patrons who were starving for food and for the books she brought them. She was more than a traveling librarian to them; she became a friend, confidant, a helper in any way. She was their link to the outside world.

Cussie experienced much heartache in her young life. She was a victim of prejudice and cruelty by the townspeople and other women. She had no friends so her job and her patrons were very important to her. It was amazing to me how she was almost always positive.

There is so much more to this story and I loved it all except for the end. It brought tears to my eyes and made me angry for the absolute injustice of it all. It ended with hope for the future, but I wanted so much more for her. I gave it 4.5 stars!