August 6, 2019
1st Line/1st Paragraph: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
I’m linking up this week with Vicki @ I’d Rather Be At The Beach who hosts a meme every Tuesday to share the First Chapter/First Paragraph of the book you are currently reading.
I’m pleased to share the first line and first few paragraphs of a book that’s been a priority on my TBR: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. I’ve read some great reviews….are you curious about how it begins?
From Amazon: “The hardscrabble folks of Troublesome Creek have to scrap for everything―everything except books, that is. Thanks to Roosevelt’s Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project, Troublesome’s got its very own traveling librarian, Cussy Mary Carter. Cussy’s not only a book woman, however, she’s also the last of her kind, her skin a shade of blue unlike most anyone else. Not everyone is keen on Cussy’s family or the Library Project, and a Blue is often blamed for any whiff of trouble.
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.
Inspired by the true blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the brave and dedicated Kentucky Pack Horse library service of the 1930s, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a story of raw courage, fierce strength, and one woman’s belief that books can carry us anywhere―even back home.“
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
*This post contains Amazon affiliate links
Genre/Categories: Historical Fiction, Southern Fiction, Small Town/Rural Fiction, Kentucky, Book About Books
1st Line/1st Paragraphs:
“The new year was barely fifteen hours old in Troublesome Creek, Kentucky, when my pa adjusted the courting candle, setting it to burn for an alarming length of time.
Satisfied, Pa carried it out of our one-room log house and onto the hand-hewn porch. He was hopeful. Hoping 1936 was the year his only daughter, nineteen-year-old Cussy Mary Carter, would get herself hitched and quit her job with the Pack Horse Library Project. Hoping for her latest suitor’s proposal.
‘Cussy,’ he called over his shoulder, ‘before your mama passed, I promised her I’d see to it you got yourself respectability, but I’ve nearly gone busted buying candles to get you some.’ …… “
What do you feel about the old-fashioned idea that a young girl needs to be married in order to gain respectability? Do you think Cussy will marry or remain independent? The first two paragraphs engaged me immediately, so I’m anticipating a great read!
QOTD:
Have you read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek or is it on your TBR?
Looking Ahead:
Return on Friday for my review of Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok.
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***Blogs posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price.
Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.
Book Cover and author photo are credited to Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website.
I’m not sure this is my kind of book, but I like the time period and the cover.
Thanks for commenting! 👍😍
This book wasn’t on my TBR pile, but it is now! It sounds fascinating! I’d hope Cussy would remain independent. A woman doesn’t have to be married to have a purpose in life, or to be respectable.
I’m super excited to seriously delve into this today! I’ve read some great reviews and admiration for the character of Cussy! Thanks for commenting!
This sounds good! When I lived in Ohio I knew some decendants of the Blue Fugates from Kentucky, but none of them were blue.
I haven’t read of their history so this will be interesting and informative for me! Thanks for commenting!
I loved this, Carol, and I hope you do too!
I’ve experienced a few meh reads lately so I have the highest hopes! My 92 yo mom read it before me (we share a kindle account) and gave me a thumbs up 👍 and her analysis is “it’s a page turner”!
I’ve never heard of blue-skinned people so I’m curious. One of my reviewers read this book.
Donna @ Girl Who Reads
I haven’t read about them either. It should be a fascinating read! 👍 Thanks for commenting!
I featured this book today too! Looking forward to the story.
I’ve been hearing good things! Happy reading!