The Book Woman's Daughter: A Novel

By Kim Michele Richardson

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek 

Bestselling historical fiction author Kim Michele Richardson is back with the perfect book-club read, following Honey Lovett, the daughter of the beloved Troublesome book woman, who must fight for her own independence with the help of the women who guide her and the books that set her free.

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, along with her family, has 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 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781443468695

Kim Michele Richardson

New York Times, Los Angeles Times and USA Today bestselling author KIM MICHELE RICHARDSON has won multiple awards and written four works of historical fiction and a memoir. Her latest critically acclaimed novel, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, was named a 2020 PBS Readers’ Choice book, a 2019 LibraryReads Best Book, an Indie Next Pick, a SIBA Pick, a Forbes Best Historical Novel, a Book-a-Million Expert Pick, an Oprah’s Buzziest Books pick and a Women’s National Book Association Great Group Reads selection. It was inspired by the real-life, remarkable “blue people” of Kentucky, and the fierce, brave packhorse librarians who used the power of literacy to overcome bigotry and fear during the Great Depression. The novel is taught widely in high schools and college classrooms. Her fifth novel, The Book Woman’s Daughter, is both a stand-alone and a sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Born in Kentucky, Kim Michele Richardson lives there with her family.

Reviews for The Book Woman's Daughter

[dara85 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[sallyelizabethmurphy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[streamsong_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[bgknighton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 strong story with strong and believable characters.

[lbswiener · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 skin. The book was given four stars in this review and is recommended for an interesting read.

[huberk-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

5 stars, Books'll learn youTHE BOOK WOMAN'S DAUGHTER (THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK #2)by Kim Michele RichardsonThe book woman's story continues on, with her beloved daughter Honey taking up the reins of her mule Junia and doing what she can for the hill people. Some don't have anyone who will stick up for them, but Honey will, with books in hand.Highly recommend.This is a library copy, I'll read it again at least one more time before it's returned. I know that I'll soon need my own copy, for I'll want to read it time and time again.#thebookwomansdaughter #thebookwomanoftroublesomecreekbook2 #historicalfiction #packhorselibrarians #miscengenationlaws #blueskinnedpeopleofkentucky #emancipation #prisoners #unfairlaws #friendship #mules #strongfemaleprotagonist #kimmichelerichardson #sourcebooks @sourcebooks

[bookczuk · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[creighley_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 she must fight to stay free, or risk being sent away for good.

[wearylibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[phyllis.shepherd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[boundtogetherforgood · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[candyh_64 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[micareads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[lostinalibrary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[bookdivasreads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 Honey. I can only hope that there's another installment coming to "The Book Woman's" series.

[claudia.castenir · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[cassiesbooksreader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 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

[sdbookhound · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[maret5g · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 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

[jillrhudy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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, 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.

[jetangen4571 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 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!

[thepageladies · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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!