10 Books Recommended By Dolly Parton To Read In Her Memory

Published Sep 2, 2026, 4:39 PM EDT Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer and TV critic who covers sci-fi shows like Doctor Who and Pluribus, fantasy shows like The Magicians and Percy Jackson, and horror of all kinds. They also cover Marvel and DC TV shows and movies, with a robust knowledge of comic books. Their TV reviews can be found on Rotten Tomatoes. Dani is also part of ScreenRant's books team, using their fiction writing and literature studies as the backbone for their book analyses. They have covered events, such as the Denver Fan Expo. Professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale, have shared their articles. Their review of Ponies was quoted in the show's TV trailer. In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18. Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity. As you mourn the passing of the beloved Dolly Parton, these ten books she recommended or enjoyed can bring you comfort. After a long life, Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at age 80, and the news hit the world hard. The legend may have been a singer and an actor, but she also had a significant impact through her philanthropic work and support for underprivileged communities. Dolly especially had a passion for books, revealing on the TODAY Show that she read at least 50 books a year. Her Imagination Library, created to honor her illiterate father, touched the lives of children all around the world. She said, while presenting the 100 millionth book at the Library of Congress (via YouTube), that she took pride in being called the "book lady" and loved the Imagination Library just as much as anything else she's ever done. She famously said, "If I'm remembered 100 years from now, I hope it will be not for looks but for books." As we all mourn this truly wonderful woman, we can turn to her favorite books for comfort. These are ten of the dozens of books I could find that Dolly Parton recommended or called her favorites. 10 The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Genre: Classic Literature & Historical Adventure While many of Dolly Parton’s recommendations are newer, one of her favorite books is The Count of Monte Cristo, a classic novel published in 18 parts between 1844 and 1845 and later published as a single novel. She explained why she was drawn to the story, stating, “The Count of Monte Cristo has always been! I read a lot of old classics; things I didn’t get to read when I was younger. So I’m really loving going back and reading a lot” (via Oprah Daily). The book follows a young sailor named Edmond Dantes, who gets falsely arrested for treason on his wedding day. After 14 brutal years in prison on the island fortress of Château d’If, he learns about a hidden treasure on the Isle of Monte Cristo from a fellow prisoner. He escapes, retrieves the fortune, and reinvents himself as the titular wealthy noble person to get revenge on the individuals who falsely reported him. 9 Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen Genre: Historical Romance In the same interview in which she discussed The Count of Monte Cristo, Dolly also revealed that she loved the historical romance novel Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. The book is a story within a story. The framing device is Jacob Jankowski, a 93-year-old man living in a nursing home and recounting his young adulthood. The story he’s telling takes place during the Great Depression. When he was a veterinary student, he became orphaned and penniless. To provide for himself, Jacob became the vet for the fictional traveling circus, the Benzini Brothers' Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Jacob connects with Rosie, the untrainable elephant, and he falls in love with Marlena, the star equestrian. However, Marlena’s abusive husband becomes a threat. Dolly Parton never explained the specific reason she loved Water for Elephants, but in all the interviews about books, she discussed other books about overcoming hardships and finding a new life. These themes are present in Water for Elephants. 8 The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare Genre: Literary Coming-Of-Age Jenna Bush Hager interviewed Dolly Parton in December 2020 on the TODAY Show, and one of the questions asked was what books she had recently read and enjoyed. One of the two responses was The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare. Dolly made it very clear throughout her life that she read all sorts of books, so it’s no surprise that she took a chance on a YA coming-of-age book. The book follows a 14-year-old Nigerian girl named Adunni, who desperately wants an education. Unfortunately, she’s taken out of school and sold to an old man as his third wife. Soon thereafter, she escapes and becomes a slave to a rich family. No matter what horrible situation she ends up in, though, she still strives to find her “louding voice,” encouraged by her deceased mother. 7 Oral History by Lee Smith Genre: Appalachian Family Saga Oral History is a book Dolly Parton recommended, and she called Smith her favorite Southern author in her bookshelf tour with Marie Claire. The book follows four generations of the Cantrell family, who live in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. In the catalyzing event, a young woman named Jennifer returns home with the goal of researching her family history. The story includes mystery, romance, murder, and so much more in Oral History. Describing her love of the book to Amazon Book Review, Dolly said, “This is another great Southern tale by a Southern author. She has an ear for language like I have an ear for music.” She also told Marie Claire, “Lee Smith just tells a story in such a way that it just goes plumb deep into my soul and into my heart.” The icon had more than five books by Smith on her bookshelf. 6 Outlander by Diana Gabaldon Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance In 2020, Dolly Parton was asked about her favorite books she read that year. Dolly explained in the Amazon Book Review article from 2020 that “Outlander is a historical fiction/adventure series that’s filled with passion and danger—which is right up my alley!” Her description also explains many of the other entries on the list. In the time-traveling book, Claire Randall, a combat nurse, goes on a second honeymoon with her husband Frank in Scotland in 1945. However, she is thrown back in time to 1743. She must navigate her forced marriage to Jamie Fraser and the political conflict of Highland clans and British redcoats. Ultimately, anyone who loves this Dolly Parton recommendation can enjoy the 8-season-long Starz show based on the books, plus the Outlander: Blood of My Blood spinoff. If I'm remembered 100 years from now, I hope it will be not for looks but for books. 5 To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee Genre: Classic Literature, Southern Gothic, & Courtroom Drama In an interview with The New York Times, Dolly Parton was asked what everybody should read before the age of 21, and her answer was To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s Great Depression, Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of attacking a white woman, Mayella Ewell. His daughter Scout, the narrator, and son Jem learn about the world through this trial and their fascination with their reclusive neighbor Boo Radley. Although she didn’t provide context as to why, the selection perfectly aligns with Dolly Parton’s direct stance against racism. The book is widely considered a parable about the dangers of racism, and Dolly not only spoke out against racism but consistently embodied those values through her music and philanthropy (via Word in Black). ​ 4 Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani Genre: Cozy Southern Romance In the Marie Claire interview, Dolly Parton highlighted author Adriana Trigiani as one of her favorite authors, especially Big Stone Gap. She explained, “This Big Stone Gap, I just love it. [Trigiani] writes many wonderful things. Some of them are about the South. Some of them are not. She’s really an all-around kind of writer, but she’s a wonderful, wonderful writer. And any time she puts a book out, I just love it. But this book is really a special one, and I think that you will love that.” Set in 1978, the book follows Ava Marie Mulligan, a 35-year-old self-proclaimed spinster who lives in the Virginia mountain town of Big Stone Gap. While mourning her mother, she finds a letter that reveals her father isn’t who she thought. He’s a man from Italy. Lost and alone, she decides to pack up and move to Italy, but the residents of Big Stone Gap aren’t ready to let her go. 3 The Grap​​es of Wrath by John Steinbeck Genre: Classic Literature In the same interview with The New York Times about books, Dolly Parton revealed that she read The Grapes of Wrath for the first time in the summer of 2019. Then, in her December 2020 interview with Marie Claire, she revealed that she read The Grapes of Wrath three times, which goes to show how much she loved the book. The book follows the struggles of migrant farmworkers during the Great Depression. Farmers are forced to leave Oklahoma, and the Joad family travels to California with promises of a better life. Instead, they find severe exploitation and harsh living conditions for migrant workers. The Grapes of Wrath won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and Steinbeck later won the Nobel Prize in Literature. In Marie Claire, Dolly praised Steinbeck as an author and said she just keeps going back to The Grapes of Wrath because she relates to “the hard work and the poor people and the struggles and the times,” referencing back to her upbringing 2 The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Genre: Fantasy In the interview with The New York Times, Dolly Parton revealed that she had “a charming book called The Midnight Library by Matt Haig” on her nightstand, and her appreciation for the book aligns with the wider public. The Midnight Library is extremely beloved in online spaces like BookTok and BookTube as well as the wider public. The story establishes the Midnight Library as the waystation between life and death. The library contains an infinite number of books, each representing a possible life in which a regretful decision never occurred. If a visitor finds a world that’s fulfilling, they can stay permanently. If they lose their will to live, they die. When Nora Seed finds herself there after a suicide attempt, she has the chance to fix her life and discover what makes life worth living. 1 Kindred by Olivia E. Butler Genre: Time Travel Sci-Fi & Grim Fantasy The final book to read in Dolly Parton’s memory is Kindred by Olivia E. Butler. She told The New York Times that it was her favorite book no one else has heard of. The book follows Dana, a 26-year-old black writer from 1976 Los Angeles who gets pulled back in time to a 19th-century Maryland plantation to save her white, slave-holder ancestor, Rufus, from drowning. She is repeatedly pulled back and forth between her own time and the antebellum South to protect Rufus, staying for longer increments each time. When explaining her selection, Dolly stated, “Not enough folks know what a great book “Kindred,” by Octavia E. Butler, is. It’s kind of tricky to describe but somehow it all works — it’s about race relations and there’s time travel and romance. It’s powerful.” This book was also on the bookshelf, where she said she kept her favorite books, during the Marie Claire interview. Birthdate January 19, 1946 Birthplace Pittman Center, Tennessee, United States Notable Projects Steel Magnolias, Nine to Five, Gnomeo and Juliet Height 4 feet 11 inches Professions Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Author, Businesswoman, Humanitarian