Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “The Mountains We Call Home” by Kim Michele Richardson, Sourcebooks, April 21, 2026

Wow! Kim Michele Richardson, the Author of “The Mountains We Call Home” has written another amazing masterpiece. This is the third book in “The Book Woman’s Legacy” following, “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” and “The Book Woman’s Daughter”. It can be read alone, but I loved both of the other books, and I highly recommend that you read them. From the very first book, “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek”, Kim Michelle Richardson vividly describes both the beauty in Appalachia, and the ugliness, where the contrasts are so disturbing. The timeline is approximately mid century Kentucky.It is amazing to see how literacy prevails in so many situations. I love the way that literacy, sisterhood, courage and hope can exist. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction, Suspense, Adventure, Family and Sisterhood.

Kim Michele Richardson vividly describes the landscape and the dramatic, dark, complex and complicated characters. Cussy Lovett, was a Packhouse Librarian, and was well know for bringing both books and literacy to the poor people of Appalachia, along with her pack-mule Junia. Cussy has a physical condition, where her skin appears blue. The medications at the time that hide this affliction, make her very sick. When Cussy marries a man that is not blue, both are arrested. Cussy makes sure her adopted daughter escapes in time.

In “The Mountains We Call Home”, there are frightening and intimidating practices in the jails. There are sterilizations, abortions, and lobotomies of women, that are practiced. These poor women and poor men are imprisoned for poverty, and unjust and unfair reasons. Cussy, who is forced to be separated from her family, becomes a librarian, and helps the women and men prisoners. The “written word” to Cussy is very important, and she is obsessed with the power of words for people to have be able to read books, write and have communication with family, and learn what is fair. Cussy’s positive work becomes known, and she is being allowed a week to help with books, and leave the prison, and then finish her sentence. I highly recommend this thought-provoking and memorable novel. I appreciate how the author discusses the importance of literacy, family, friends, love, and hope.