It hasn't been that long ago that I reviewed a book about the WPA horseback librarian program in the Appalachians. In the last year or so, it has become more common to write about this obscure part of history. It is fascinating to read history woven into fiction and this was such a great topic to tackle in that regard. Some of the authors in this collection of stories took liberties with the settings of the actual history of the program, but the novellas are still enjoyable.
It saddened me to see that one of the authors passed away and another author stepped in to write the story in her stead. Darlene Franklin is a favorite writer and her loss will leave a hole in the world of Christian fiction. My thanks go to Kathleen Y'Barbo for stepping in and doing an admirable job of filling her shoes.
All of the novellas are enjoyable to read and will while away a too-hot afternoon (I'm currently in a heatwave of epic proportions), especially with a glass of iced tea at the ready.
The horseback librarian program took books to the most rural areas to encourage literacy and learning for families who had no other way to get to town to borrow books from the library. The people were poor but proud and it was hard for some to accept that the books were not charity, but something that was available to everyone.
A couple of these novellas offer second chances between youthful sweethearts and grown-up love with a bit of intrigue thrown in for good measure, others are just the sweetness of love that grows from friendship.
In some respects, Dolly Parton has taken a page out of President Roosevelt's book and is providing books to children to encourage a love of reading and learning. All a parent or grandparent or friend has to do is sign the child up on this website.
Four strong stars.
Barbour Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
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