A native-born Kentuckian, Kim Michele Richardson is a New York Times, L.A. Times, and USA Today bestselling author who has written six novels, including The Book Woman's Daughter, a memoir and most recently, two children’s picture books. The works have been published in more than 15 languages. Her novel The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is 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. Kim Michele lives with her family in Kentucky and is the founder of Shy Rabbit, a writers’ residency, and a literacy initiative, Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky & Beyond. Her latest novel is The Mountains We Call Home and she recently talked about it with Daryl Maxwell for the LAPL Blog.
You introduced readers to Cussy Mary, Junia, and Jackson in The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek in 2019. In 2022, you took readers back to Kentucky to tell the story of Cussy Mary’s & Jackson’s daughter, Honey, in The Bookwoman’s Daughter. What drew you back to these characters and to write The Mountains We Call Home?
I had countless requests to continue the story, and I felt I owed it to the readers to give them Cussy’s final journey.
In preparing these questions, I just realized I’ve never asked you about Junia, Cussy Mary, and Honey’s mule. Who inspired Junia? Is she based on an animal, or animals, you have known (mule or otherwise)?
Junia was inspired by my Kentucky history. Over horses or donkeys, mules were preferred by most of the Kentucky Packhorse librarians. Mules are stronger than horses, live longer, and require less care. They are more intelligent, have great survival instincts, and make excellent protectors.
How did the novel evolve and change as you wrote and revised it? Are there any characters or scenes that were lost in the process that you wish had made it to the published version?
Returning to Cussy’s world was one of my most difficult challenges. Before the pandemic, I began working on what is now titled The Mountains We Call Home.
Like Cussy and my Packhorse librarians, literacy accessibility has always been extremely important to me. For decades, I’ve donated books to women’s shelters, children's group homes, and prisons, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think one of the recipients would end up being my child. Our adult child had been battling addiction, which ultimately led to incarceration.
Devastated, I struggled to grasp it all, the imprisonment, harsh rules for loved ones, and recovery along with silently trying to navigate Kentucky’s complex judicial system. I worried I couldn’t do justice fighting for Cussy’s and Jackson’s freedom in the 1950s, so I put Mountains aside and instead gave you Honey’s sweet, brave journey. When I’d finished The Book Woman’s Daughter, and our child was safely on the road to sobriety, I felt the timing was right to complete Cussy’s final journey.
Because my Mister worked at the Kentucky prison for three years after graduating college, I was doubly blessed to have his insight and memories. This, along with thoughtful discussions about Kentucky’s archaic case laws with a brilliant judge, would help me make Cussy’s transitions not only plausible but authentic and accurate.
Do you have any favorite places in Louisville? A hidden gem that someone visiting should not miss, but would only learn about from a resident?
The Kentucky Derby runs on the first Saturday in May and should be on everyone’s bucket list. The Frazier Museum is an immersive visit, and Louisville has some of the finest restaurants and chefs in the U.S. I have always loved the Seelbach Hotel, specifically the Rathskeller inside, where F. Scott Fitzgerald stayed many times and was heavily inspired to write the novel The Great Gatsby.
Other famous guests were Al Capone, many presidents, Elvis and more. The architect is beautiful and stunning! They also filmed The Insider and The Hustler there.
Similar question for the state of Kentucky? Where should someone visiting be sure to visit?
The Bourbon Trails are fun, and I always recommend Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill—it’s gorgeous. Hyden, Kentucky, is a must-visit. This is where the first Kentucky Packhorse Librarian Historical Marker has been erected, and I highly recommend staying at the Mary Breckinridge Inn there. The old inn is full of very rich history about the Frontier Nursing Service, which again was women-driven, and where nurses delivered medical care on horseback in Eastern Kentucky.
In 2019, you established Shy Rabbit, a writers and artists residency. What inspired you to create Shy Rabbit, and how is it going?
It has been a way to help and inspire other writers and artists—pay it forward. Our first visitor to Shy Rabbit was a retiring librarian. We’ve had many authors stay. It’s just a very lovely gem, peaceful, not far from the city, but full of wildlife and close to everything.
In your Author’s Note, you mention that you had the chance to spend some time with Artist and Sculptor Ed Hamilton. Can you tell us a bit about the time you spent together and the stories he shared?
Ed is amazing, and we talked about his childhood before Urban Renewal destroyed his neighborhood, which I also had a personal connection with, as mentioned in my author notes. He discussed how the federal program inflicted generational poverty on countless. I wanted to shine a light on the vibrant business community before it was all destroyed—the many Mom & Pop diners, theatres, small businesses. Ed, also nicknamed in real life Lil Biff has a small scene in the book, and I’ve dropped in a favorite recipe of his from his childhood for my readers to enjoy.
You also mention in your Author’s Note you’re leading a new initiative called Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky & Beyond. Can you tell us a bit about the initiative, your involvement, and how those interested can help?
Today, I’m leading the initiative, Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky & Beyond, and underwriting Little Free Libraries in each of the 120 county courthouses across Kentucky. Kentucky has a rich and unique history of getting books into the hands of those who had none.
Indiana has joined in, and I believe that with Indiana and Kentucky, we have a total of about 100 LFLs in county courthouses in these states.
It is also a way to promote reading and honor my history, my Packhorse librarian sisters, and their important legacy.
Now more than ever, literacy accessibility for all is critical. Books can connect us in unexpected and beautiful ways. Those who pass through the courthouse doors are economically oppressed and suffering, so to have the gift of being able to choose a new book for themselves or a child is priceless. This is how books change lives. This is the power of books.
I hate to say this, but the ending of The Mountains We Call Home seems like it may be the last time you’ll be taking readers back to Kentucky to visit with Cussy Mary. Is this the last book about our beloved Bookwoman?
Yes, but I have something I’m working on that I feel my readers will love equally.
What’s currently on your nightstand?
Dust! When I write I don’t read, but I’ve got William Kent Krueger’s latest God’s Country on preorder. I am a huge fan of Kent’s work!
What is the last piece of art (music, movies, TV, more traditional artforms) that you’ve experienced or that has impacted you?
The movie Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight. It was stunning acting by child actor Lexi Venter, who brings us into the tumultuous world of 8-year-old Bobo, whose childhood unfolds on her family's Rhodesian farm. Immersive and haunting!
What are you working on now?
It’s too early to share, but I’m very excited about it, and it will once again be set in Kentucky like all my books.
Thanks so much for having me Daryl!
