Kim Michele Richardson

Kim Michele Richardson has written six works of historical fiction and a bestselling memoir. Her award-winning novel, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, won numerous awards and was also picked as a Dolly Parton Recommended Read (People Magazine), a 2019 LibraryReads Best Book, a 2019 Forbes Best Historical Novel, 2020 PBS Readers Choice, an Oprah’s Buzziest Books pick and a Women’s National Book Association Great Group Reads selection. Richardson researched the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky for 10 years before writing her book. She also contributed to the critically acclaimed PBS TV documentary, The Pack Horse Librarians of Appalachia. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is now taught widely in high schools and college classrooms and has been adopted as a Common Read selection by states, cities, and colleges across the country and abroad, as well as translated into over 16 languages.

Her sequel book, The Book Woman’s Daughter, became an instant bestseller. She donates all earnings from her memoir, The Unbreakable Child, to survivors of child abuse.

Richardson’s other novels, Liar’s Bench, GodPretty in the Tobacco Field, and Sisters of Glass Ferry are also set in Kentucky.

She writes on her website, “Kentucky is my home and these are my people. As a native-born Kentuckian, all my books are set in my home state, and it’s always humbling and a privilege when you let me share their stories with you.”

Recommendations For Kim Michele Richardson

Recommended by Athena Bailey

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson is one of my very favorite books. This

Recommended by Savannah Cooper

One of the best books I have ever read is The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. It’s definitely not a

Recommended by Cora Peterson

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek authentic piece of historical fiction and so wonderfully written

Recommended by Caroline Reed

One of my favorite books while waiting for the next Louise Penny was Kim Michele Richardson’s The Bo

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Kim Michele Richardson’s compelling novel The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek was inspired by the ‘blue people’ of Kentucky and the brave Packhorse Librarians who championed literacy against bigotry and fear during the Great Depression. The work (and its sequel, The Book Woman’s Daughter) has left an indelible mark and is now part of the Common Reads program across the United States, a community program that brings together students on college and university campuses to read and discuss novels of significance. Richardson’s other books also explore historical aspects of Kentucky with richly drawn characters and emotionally evocative storytelling.

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All Kim Michele Richardson’s Book Series in Order of Publication

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Book Woman of Troublesome Creek Books In Order

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Recommended Books From Kim Michele Richardson Fans

Silhouette in Scarlet: A Vicky Bliss Novel of Suspense

Tales: Short Stories Featuring Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford

Death of a Laird: A Hamish Macbeth Short Story

No Ordinary Time: Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II

Gallows View: The First Inspector Banks Novel

Summer Rain: An Inspector Banks Short Story

With This Ring: A Deborah Knott Short Story

The Case Has Altered: A Richard Jury Mystery

At the Reunion Buffet: An Isabel Dalhousie Story

This Is Why We Lied: A Will Trent Thriller

Chance Developments: Unexpected Love Stories

Mary Higgins Clark and Elizabeth Peters Present More Malice Domestic

Agatha Raisin: The Complete BBC Radio Drama Collection

Bruno's Challenge and Other Stories of the French Countryside

“Being able to return to the books was a sanctuary for my heart. And a joy bolted free, lessening my own grievances, forgiving spent youth and dying dreams lost to a hard life, the hard land, and to folks’ hard thoughts and partialities.”

Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Grace Ellen McDowell

“The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a wonderful book. I especially loved knowing it’s based on real events and these book women existed as did the ‘blue people’.”

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Recommendations For Kim Michele Richardson

Books By Kim Michele Richardson

Tips and Resources From Your Kim Michele Richardson Book Club Friends:

All Kim Michele Richardson’s Book Series in Order of Publication

Recommendations From Kim Michele’s Fans

Louise Erdrich

James McBride

James Bowen

Barbara Kingsolver

Ann Patchett

Margaret Maron

Annie Barrows

Kate Morton

Tara Westover

Recommended Books From Kim Michele Richardson Fans

“Being able to return to the books was a sanctuary for my heart. And a joy bolted free, lessening my own grievances, forgiving spent youth and dying dreams lost to a hard life, the hard land, and to folks’ hard thoughts and partialities.”

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