Good Reads
Pack Horse Librarian delivers a tale of ‘humankindness”
Revisiting McNaught comes with the threat of sleep loss
arely does a book draw me into another place and time so completely that I am unable to get the characters and their stories out of my mind for days, much less weeks on end. Such is the power of “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson. Awash in historical “A pig in lipstick is still a accuracy, it is the story of WPA Pack Horse Librarian stinkin’ pig,” she spat, her Cussy Mary Carter. wet hiss spinning in the Strong of mind and body, air as she swept past to and with the help of her her desk. I turned. Her red overprotective and highly eyes bored into mine. And intelligent mule, Junia, I held them, locked, and Cussy delivers more than books. She brings hope. lifted my chin two-man The story Richardson tall, snatching back some weaves about the of the humankind that librarians and their had been stolen. patrons, their lives and the circumstances under which they endure is wholly enthralling. These women braved the hills and hollers, the raging waters, icy rain, snow and sometimes even good weather to bring the love and joy of reading to the mountain people of Eastern Kentucky from 1935 until 1943. This book inspired me to count my abundant blessings – and not only for the books we have available to us today. I am now thankful for the personal sacrifice of so many to spread “humankindness” to others. Would that we could all be as steadfast as Miss Cussy and as true as Junia. – Deb Laslie
’ve been staying inside for quite some time now. (How about you?) Fortunately, I have an abundance of books in my personal library. There I found a copy of Judith McNaught’s “Someone to Watch Over Me” (2003) and was reminded of how a truly gifted writer can draw you into their “Miss Kendall, can you world and introduce you to some marvelous hear me? I’m Dr. Metcalf, characters and captivating and you’re at Good storylines. Samaritan Hospital in Leigh Kendall is a Mountainside. We’re successful Broadway going to take you out of actress. Her marriage to the ambulance now and Logan Manning, scion of an old New York family, is into the emergency room.” the stuff of dreams. But when Leigh’s car skids off an icy road on her way to meet Logan at their mountain cabin, her life skids out of control as well. When she awakes in the hospital, she’s told her husband is missing and she discovers his business affairs are not as “businesslike” as she had thought. While the police suspect her of foul play (she is quite the actress), her stage career is usurped by her understudy, and Kendall realizes that the difference between friends and enemies is impossible to distinguish. Alone and determined, Kendall seeks the truth above all. And you’ll lose sleep during this stay-at-home read. Pick up a copy at your local bookseller (you’ll probably find a used copy) and re-discover books by Judith McNaught. – Deb Laslie
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