Book discussion started off the year with a terrific read. This book combines two factual things--the Pack Horse Librarian program of FDR's WPA and the Blue People of Kentucky. In 1936, Cussy Mary and her father are the last of the "Blue People" of the eastern hills of Kentucky. They and their ancestors suffer from a rare genetic disease that turns their skin blue. They are not treated well by the white hill-folk or the townspeople of Troublesome Creek. Despite that, Cussy took the initiative and became accepted in the Pack Horse Librarian program. She rides a mule (Junia--a truly delightful personality) and delivers books and magazines deep into the hollers and hills of Kentucky. Going along with Cussy on her delivery route is both fascinating and heartbreaking. I had to keep reminding myself that the story takes place in 1936 because this area of Kentucky was very underdeveloped and the poverty was staggering. The attention to historical details and each and every unique character make this book a standout.
Showing posts with label librarian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label librarian. Show all posts
Sunday, January 19, 2020
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek/Kim M. Richardson/308 pgs
Book discussion started off the year with a terrific read. This book combines two factual things--the Pack Horse Librarian program of FDR's WPA and the Blue People of Kentucky. In 1936, Cussy Mary and her father are the last of the "Blue People" of the eastern hills of Kentucky. They and their ancestors suffer from a rare genetic disease that turns their skin blue. They are not treated well by the white hill-folk or the townspeople of Troublesome Creek. Despite that, Cussy took the initiative and became accepted in the Pack Horse Librarian program. She rides a mule (Junia--a truly delightful personality) and delivers books and magazines deep into the hollers and hills of Kentucky. Going along with Cussy on her delivery route is both fascinating and heartbreaking. I had to keep reminding myself that the story takes place in 1936 because this area of Kentucky was very underdeveloped and the poverty was staggering. The attention to historical details and each and every unique character make this book a standout.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
The Library of Lost and Found / Phaedra Patrick / 348 pages
This is a charming story about a librarian, Martha Storm. Martha is middle aged and her life is dedicated to helping others to the point of being taken advantage of by the people she helps. One night she finds a book of fairy tales left on her doorstep. Inside the book is a dedication to her by the author - her grandmother. The problem is her grandmother died 3 years before the book was published . The stories inside the book are stories Martha created as a child. Martha sets out to find the truth about her grandmother which leads her to find out some truths about her family. Martha goes through a transformation as a result of her journey and her life changes for the better.
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