The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek Quotes

“I never understood why other people thought my color, any color, needed fixing.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Being able to return to the books was a sanctuary for my heart. And a joy bolted free, lessening my own grievances, forgiving spent youth and dying dreams lost to a hard life, the hard land, and to folks’ hard thoughts and partialities.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Well, them cloths are a lot like folks. Ain’t much difference at all. Some of us is more spiffed up than others, some stiffer, and still, some softer. There’s the colorful and dull, ugly and pretty, old, new ’uns. But in the end we’s all fabric, cut from His cloth. Fabric, and just that.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Bring me new words when we meet again so I know the book and brain ain’t gathering dust,”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“There's nothing wrong with your color, being you," he said firmly. "Nothing wrong with what the good Lord gives us in His world, Cussy Mary." He didn't know, couldn't know, the load I'd carried as a Blue, the scorn and hatred and gruesome marriage. How dare Pa call me vain and now Jackson. How dare he too? "Nothing wrong—" Jackson repeated. I stepped back and shot out a shaky hand. "No, Jackson Lovett, you're wrong. There is nothing wrong with your color in your world, a world that wants only whiteness.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“I had no right telling you how you should feel. No right claiming knowledge on things I could and will never feel. I've never known harm or exile because of my skin. Nor felt the lash of leather whips or angry tongues because of it.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“What I wanted most was to be okay as a Blue. I never understood why other people thought my color, any color, needed fixing.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Then: “Where’s my manners? I hope you get to feeling pert soon, ma’am. I miss seeing my bonny Picasso.” He grinned. I stared at him blankly, and he added, “Picasso’s painting of the pretty blue lady, the Woman with a Helmet of Hair that I’d seen in one of the magazines you brought us? You remind me of her. Your fine color. My woman always said God saved that best color for His home.” He pointed a finger up to a patch of blue sky parting the gray clouds. “Guess He must’ve had Himself a little left over.” Astonished, I could feel my face warm. No one, not a soul, ever said my old color was fine. The best.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“What do you hope readers will ultimately take away from Cussy’s story? Poverty and marginalization are not so much economics or politics or societal issues as much as they are human issues. They are best grappled with by reaching deep into the lives of those suffering them. Knowing one small piece of this world—the earth, the sky, the plants, the people, and the very air of it—helps us to understand the sufferings and joys of others ourselves.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“We pray that the laws of the land will change to favor all unions, all folks one day. I remain hopeful for our safety and our future.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Those that can’t see past a folk’s skin color have a hard difference in them. There’s a fire in that difference. And when they see you, they’ll still see a Blue. No city drug’s gonna change small minds, what they think about peculiarity. For them like-minded folks, there is no redemption for our kind. Stay put where you belong, Cussy.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Being able to return to the books was a sanctuary for my heart.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Why couldn’t you let him grow up?” I curled myself into a tight ball on the blood-soaked Kentucky soil, wailing for Henry and all the Henrys in these dark hollows who’d never be a common grown-up. Stuck forever as Peter Pans.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Their hunger for books could teach them of a better life free of the hunger, but without food they'd never live long enough or have the strength to find it.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Lots of cures are worse than what they aim to cure. Are you stuck with it, or can you toss it?”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“I loved the way Harriett loved her books. It changed her into something different, better . . .”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Song of Songs 8:6.” And very carefully, Mr. Moore did. “‘Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame,”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Well, them cloths are a lot like folks. Ain’t much difference at all. Some of us is more spiffed up than others, some stiffer, and still, some softer. There’s the colorful and dull, ugly and pretty, old, new ’uns. But in the end we’s all fabric, cut from His cloth. Fabric, and just that.” “Yes, ma’am,” I whispered.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Like the warmth of winter candlelight cast across a beloved, worn book, he was.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“I liked my sensibility just fine. I liked my freedom a lot—loved the solitude these last seven months had given me—and I lived for the joy of bringing books and reading materials to the hillfolk who were desperate for my visits, the printed word that brought a hopeful world into their dreary lives and dark hollers. It was necessary. And for the first time in my life, I felt necessary.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“See all my fabric, child?” “Sure is a lot.” “Well, them cloths are a lot like folks. Ain’t much difference at all. Some of us is more spiffed up than others, some stiffer, and still, some softer. There’s the colorful and dull, ugly and pretty, old, new ’uns. But in the end we’s all fabric, cut from His cloth. Fabric, and just that.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“What’s unsaid can be just as important,”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Those that can’t see past a folk’s skin color have a hard difference in them. There’s a fire in that difference. And when they see you, they’ll still see a Blue. No city drug’s gonna change small minds, what they think about peculiarity. For them like-minded folks, there is no redemption for our kind.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Blue had to be enough for me ... "I am enough.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Her cabin was half-swallowed in shadow and rolling fog, haloed by fireflies chewing through the darkness.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Absolutely, and now more than ever. As I mentioned earlier, I was raised in an orphanage. Later, as a foster child in 1970, I remember going to my first library one lonely summer and checking out a book. The librarian sized me up and then quietly said, “Only one? You look smarter than a one-book read, and I bet we can find you more than just one.” She reached under her counter, snapped open a folded brown-paper sack, handed it to me, and then marched me over to shelves filled with glorious books. I was shocked that I could get more than one book, much less a bag full of precious books, and I was moved by her compassion, kindness, and wisdom. Librarians are lifelines for so many, giving us powerful resources to help us become empowered.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Well, them cloths are a lot like folks. Ain't much difference at all. Some of us is more spiffed up than others, some stiffer, and still, some softer. There's the colorful and dull, ugly and pretty, old new 'guns. But in the end we's all fabric, cut from His cloth. Fabric, and just that.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Look to the beast, the bird, the wild dog, the critters, Pa’d taught me long ago. God spent all their might on the ears so they would have protection. And that safeguard ensures ours.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Marry me, Cussy Mary, and I promise to spend every waking breath trying to be worthy of you.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

“Poverty and marginalization are not so much economics or politics or societal issues as much as they are human issues. They are best grappled with by reaching deep into the lives of those suffering them. Knowing one small piece of this world—the earth, the sky, the plants, the people, and the very air of it—helps us to understand the sufferings and joys of others ourselves. Acknowledgments Thank you to the dear readers for allowing me into your home.”
― Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek