Books to Borrow Claysburg Public Library Recommends

Adelaide (Addie) Cowherd is called into the dean’s office at the University of Kentucky in 1936. There she is told that her parents had not paid her tuition for three months. She will not be able to take the finals and finish her junior year. At first, Addie thinks it is a mistake until she finally picks up her mail and reads her mother’s letter. She learns that her father has lost his job and their home.

Addie is persuaded to attend the end of year bonfire before she leaves. There she meets Emmett Tharp. Too bad he’s a senior and graduating, but she won’t be going back to college anyhow.

Addie has a part-time job at the local library. Through the librarian, she is able to get a WPA (Works Progress Administration) job in Boone’s Hollow delivering books on horseback. It pays well and she felt she could send money to her parents and pay back the university. She meets Miss West, the librarian, and the three other riders. Boone’s Hollow is in Black Mountain, Kentucky. The library is an old smokehouse converted into a library with a curtained off living space. There isn’t any electricity and the people are very set in their ways. The delivery route she takes is difficult and she is not an experienced rider.

Emmett returns home to Boone’s Hollow to find an office job. There were no jobs available so he begins working in the coal mine with his father. His father doesn’t care much for education and is glad to have him join him. The mining is hard work, but the men are very supportive of each other.

Miss West is unable to carry on her assignment due to her asthma and Emmett gets her job.

Addie and Emmett work to educate the community. Many are suspicious of Addie. Addie rents a room from Nanny Fay. Nanny Fay knows her herbs and is thought to be a witch by some in the community. Bettina, one of the riders, certainly believes it. Bettina is set on marrying Emmett and Addie poses as a threat to her happiness. Addie is determined to win over the people of Boone’s Hollow and supply them with reading material.

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a bestselling Christian fiction author. She enjoys writing stories of hope.