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The Mountains We Call Home: The Book Woman’s Legacy
(The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek #3)
Kim Michele Richardson
Publication Date: April 21st, 2026
Sourcebooks Landmark
384 Pages
Amazon | Goodreads | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Women’s Fiction
Cussy Mary Carter is back, and she’s gone from the mountains to prison. The story is about Cussy and her husband, Jackson. Because Cussy is a “Blue” (considered a person of colour under the law), their marriage is considered illegal, so both Cussy and Jackson are arrested and sent to prison. The book shows us what Cussy’s experience is like in jail. Of course, Cussy finds a way to help others through books and becomes a prison librarian, bringing books to the other jailed women (most of whom are dirt poor).
Eventually, Cussy ends up at the Louisville Western Coloured Branch of the Carnegie Library (the first library in the U.S.A. for Black people). The story follows Cussy working and trying to get back together with Jackson.
This book has lots of topics that resonated with me, like the power of books and how libraries are needed in the community. It shows how important reading and literacy are to opportunity and self-confidence. Of course, there is the race factor and discrimination. The one that really hit home was “found family.” Cussy really helped the inmates and those she met in Louisville, but they helped her as well.
Richardson paints a vivid picture of Appalachian Kentucky and Louisville. The story is gritty and real, with plenty of emotional depth and hopefulness. It’s both heartbreaking and uplifting. This book is a character-driven story about a librarian trying to bring books to people living on the edge of society while trying to better her own life; it’s a heartfelt and very powerful story. It’s beautifully written and very moving, and like the first two, it will stay with me for a long time. It’s emotional but also inspiring. It shows that a little compassion and determination can go a long way. An easy five stars—highly recommended for anyone who loves poignant historical fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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