GodPretty in the Tobacco Fields by Kim Michele Richardson

GodPretty in the Tobacco Field by Kim Michele Richardson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not stop listening to this amazing historical fiction audiobook, excellently narrated by Katie Schorr, this story of Nameless, Kentucky involves RubyLyn, adopted by her uncle Gunnar, who is a mean, nasty father figure to her. He was fired as an executioner and raised RubyLyn without affection, always having her mouth washed with acidic liquids because she speaks her mind to her uncle's strict requirements. She is lifelong friends (and more) with black neighbor Rainey who works for Gunnar and lives with his Mom. But for all Gunnar's negativism, RubyLyn is a positive, honest girl in a racist town. I did not like the way this book unfolded but it was reality in 1969 Kentucky. I have read and loved all of Kim Michele Richardson's book despite their horror, they were a real picture into the hard scrabble life of uneducated, biased, poor Kentucky backwoods people.

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The Sisters of Glass Ferry by Kim Michele Richardson

The Sisters of Glass Ferry by Kim Michele Richardson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by Marguerite Gavin, this was a hard hitting historical fiction novel juggling between the time periods 1952 and 1972 as sister's Patsy and Flannery set the stage for what happened prom night to Patsy and the 2 Butler Brothers, Hollis and Danny. Kentucky in the 50s was whiskey and HoneyBee and devoutly religious mother. But the twins once so close and best friends are now fighting, angry with Patsy keeping secrets. The plot was suspenseful, sinister, and psychologically damaging for Flannery and her mother. Marguerite Gavin was a good narrator but mispronounced many words, but her voices and inflections were pure Kentucky. I ached for the deceit, lies, and sexism that existed for the sisters but Flannery is able to rise above the abuse and become stronger as a result.

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The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Katie Schorr, this historical fiction book details the life of Cussy Mary Carter (also known as Bluet) who is a librarian under the Roosevelt Pack Horse Librarian Project. Cussy Mary lost her mother, lives with her coal miner father who has the lung disease all miners succumb to, and loves her job of bringing books to the Kentucky hill folk on an ornery mule, Junior. Cussy Mary is also part of a very small clan of REAL people whose skin is blue and she endures just as much racism and discrimination as other people of color. Richardson's book is depressing so much of the time--the people are starving, lead a hard scrabble life, and many do not look upon the books as wonderful but a plot of the government against people. Cussy Mary is able to convert so many of her patrons to readers by reading to them, teaching them the alphabet and bringing perfect books to/for her readers. The research in this book is meticulous, true to the time of the 1930s and the life of the many people in Troublesome Creek. Highly recommended!

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