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.

the order of the Books and all Related Books Available

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

Christmas Crumble: An Agatha Raisin Short Story

Death on the Edge: A V.I. Warshawski Short Story

Silhouette in Scarlet: A Vicky Bliss Novel of Suspense

Daughter of the Morning Star: A Longmire Mystery

The Imposter: A Mike Bowditch Short Mystery

The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2023

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)

Standing by the Wall: The Collected Slough House Novellas

The Boy Who Taught the Beekeeper to Read: and Other Stories

The Face of a Stranger: A William Monk Novel

Our Lady of Pain: An Edwardian Murder Mystery

Random Acts: A Joanna Brady and Ali Reynolds Novella

The Piper: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Story

Missing Pieces: A Kings Lake Investigation

Death of a Laird: A Hamish Macbeth Short Story

The Last Ocean: What Dementia Teaches Us About Love

Cleaning the Gold: A Jack Reacher and Will Trent Short Story

Building Bridges: Stephen King Live at the National Book Awards

Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death

In Plain Sight: A Kate Burkholder Short Mystery

The Case Has Altered: A Richard Jury Mystery

The Mephisto Club: A Rizzoli & Isles Novel

The Fleur de Sel Murders: A Brittany Mystery

“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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