Ten Books Cherished by Dolly Parton: A Literary Legacy

As the world mourns the loss of the beloved Dolly Parton, who passed away on August 25, 2026, at age 80, her enduring legacy extends far beyond her iconic status as a singer and actress. Known for her profound humanitarian efforts and unwavering support for underserved communities, Parton also championed literacy through her beloved Imagination Library initiative. This program, founded to honor her father who struggled with illiteracy, has distributed over 100 million books to children worldwide. On the TODAY Show, she once shared that she devours at least 50 books annually. During a presentation of the 100 millionth book at the Library of Congress, she expressed immense pride in being recognized as the “book lady,” stating it held equal significance to all her other achievements. Parton famously once said, “If I’m remembered 100 years from now, I hope it will be not for looks but for books.” In remembrance of this extraordinary artist, here are ten titles that Dolly Parton recommended or cited among her personal favorites.

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, which she once told The New York Times was her favorite book no one else had heard of. The story follows Dana, a 26-year-old Black writer from 1976 Los Angeles who finds herself mysteriously transported to a 19th-century Maryland plantation, where she must save her white ancestor Rufus from drowning. Pulled back and forth across time, she repeatedly intervenes to ensure his survival, even as the emotional stakes grow higher with each journey. When explaining her admiration for the novel, Dolly noted, “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.”

2

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Genre: Fantasy

In an interview with The New York Times, Dolly Parton revealed that she kept a charming copy of The Midnight Library by Matt Haig on her nightstand. The book resonates widely, especially among readers online via platforms like BookTok and BookTube. The narrative introduces the Midnight Library, a liminal space between life and death filled with an infinite number of books—each one representing a life shaped by different choices. Visitors may choose to remain in a fulfilling alternate existence or return to their original life. After a suicide attempt, Nora Seed arrives at this ethereal library, given the chance to explore paths untaken and discover what truly brings meaning to life.

3

The Grap​​es of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Genre: Classic Literature

Dolly Parton first read The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck in the summer of 2019, and returned to it multiple times, as shared in her December 2020 Marie Claire interview. The novel chronicles the Joad family’s arduous journey westward during the Great Depression, fleeing the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma for California in search of work and dignity. What they encounter instead is exploitation and harsh realities faced by migrant laborers. A recipient of both the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, Steinbeck’s masterpiece deeply resonated with Parton, who found parallels to her own upbringing in its portrayal of resilience amid hardship.

4

Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani

Genre: Cozy Southern Romance

In her conversation with Marie Claire, Dolly Parton singled out Adriana Trigiani as one of her most admired authors, particularly praising Big Stone Gap. She said, “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 too.” Set in 1978, the novel centers around Ava Marie Mulligan, a 35-year-old woman living in the Appalachian town of Big Stone Gap, whose quiet life takes a dramatic turn when she uncovers a family secret about her true heritage.

5

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Genre: Classic Literature, Southern Gothic, & Courtroom Drama

When The New York Times asked Dolly Parton what everyone should read before turning 21, her answer was unequivocal: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The novel, set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s, tells the story of Atticus Finch defending Tom Robinson, a Black man wrongly accused of assaulting a white woman. Through the eyes of his daughter Scout and son Jem, readers witness the moral complexities of justice and prejudice. Though Parton offered no explanation for choosing the book, its themes of equality and moral courage align closely with her lifelong advocacy against injustice.

6

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance

In 2020, when reflecting on her favorite reads of the year, Dolly Parton described Outlander by Diana Gabaldon as a “historical fiction/adventure series that’s filled with passion and danger—which is right up my alley!” The story follows Claire Randall, a WWII nurse who, while honeymooning in Scotland in 1945, is hurled back in time to 1743. There, she navigates perilous Highland politics, an unexpected marriage to Jamie Fraser, and the enduring pull of love across centuries. Fans of this beloved recommendation can also enjoy the hit Starz adaptation, now entering its eighth season.

7

Oral History by Lee Smith

Genre: Appalachian Family Saga

Dolly Parton once named Lee Smith her favorite Southern author during a bookshelf tour with Marie Claire. Oral History, one of Smith’s acclaimed novels, traces the intertwined lives of four generations of the Cantrell family rooted in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. Central to the story is Jennifer Cantrell, whose return home sparks revelations about her ancestry. Blending mystery, romance, and heartache, the novel captures the complexities of family legacy. Parton praised Smith’s storytelling, saying, “She has an ear for language like I have an ear for music,” and “Lee Smith just tells a story in such a way that it just goes plumb deep into my soul and into my heart.”

8

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare

Genre: Literary Coming-Of-Age

During an appearance on the TODAY Show in December 2020, Jenna Bush Hager inquired about recent books that had captured Dolly Parton’s attention. Among her selections was The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare. The powerful coming-of-age tale follows Adunni, a bright 14-year-old girl in Nigeria whose dreams of education are shattered when she is sold into marriage. After escaping one difficult situation only to fall into servitude under a wealthy household, Adunni refuses to surrender her voice or aspirations. Parton’s choice reflects her deep appreciation for stories centered on perseverance and personal liberation.

9

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Genre: Historical Romance

Dolly Parton also expressed her fondness for Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen in the same interview where she discussed The Count of Monte Cristo. The novel unfolds through the recollections of Jacob Jankowski, a 93-year-old man reflecting on his youth during the Great Depression. As a vet student who lost everything, he joins a traveling circus and becomes integral to its operation. Amidst the spectacle, he forms bonds with an elephant named Rosie and a trapeze artist, Marlena, whose dangerous relationship with her husband threatens their future. Though Parton never explicitly detailed her reasons, the narrative’s themes of resilience and reinvention mirror values she consistently championed.

10

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Genre: Classic Literature & Historical Adventure

Among Dolly Parton’s favorite classics was The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, published serially between 1844 and 1845. Speaking to Oprah Daily, she shared, “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.” The story centers on Edmond Dantès, a young sailor betrayed by jealous rivals and imprisoned unjustly on his wedding day. After enduring 14 years in the fortress of Château d’If, he discovers a cache of treasure and emerges as the enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo, determined to exact calculated revenge against those who destroyed his life.

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