Diamond Recs in a Rhinestone World
Growing up, there were few women I idolized more than Dolly Parton. She was beautiful, talented, and, perhaps most admirably, bold. She was unapologetic yet kind, confident without ever seeming to need anyone’s approval, and full of wisdom and quotes FOR DAYS. Perhaps most relatable to me: “I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb—and I’m not blonde either.” Dolly made millions of people see that they were so much more than how they appeared to the rest of the world, reminding us that confidence comes from knowing who we are, and not how others perceive us. And Dolly knew exactly who she was, a humanitarian first.
Take the Imagination Library, which she launched in 1995. What began as a local effort in East Tennessee has grown into a global program that sends books directly to children’s homes each month. Today, the program reaches children across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland, distributing millions of books every month and more than 270 million books to date.
Dolly is and will always be a national treasure: beloved by generations, a trailblazer for so many, and, truly, a diamond in a rhinestone world. Here are a few book recs that remind us of Dolly and honor the woman she was, as well as the incredible legacy she leaves behind.
Star of the Show
by Dolly Parton
A stunning celebration of Dolly Parton’s iconic career as a performer, featuring entertaining personal stories alongside more than 500 photographs, including exclusive images and ephemera from her archive.
She Come by It Natural
by Sarah Smarsh
In this affectionate, sharply insightful book, Sarah Smarsh charts Dolly's meteoric rise against the backdrop of her own working-class roots. Drawing on her own experience growing up in rural Kansas, Smarsh crafts a resonant portrait of Parton's cultural importance, above all for the women who populate her songs: struggling mothers, pregnant teenagers, diner waitresses with deadbeat boyfriends. Candid, intimate and searching, She Come By It Natural captures the enduring appeal of this singular star.
Dumplin'
by Julie Murphy
Full of wit, heart, and unforgettable quotes from the Queen of Country herself, this story is for anyone who’s ever felt like they weren’t enough.
Dolly Parton
by Suzanne Sonnier
A collection of quotations from one of America's most beloved cultural icons. Curated from Dolly Parton's numerous public statements—interviews, speeches, social media posts, and more—this is a comprehensive picture of her legacy as a musician, businesswoman, and philanthropist.
Steel Magnolias
by Robert Harling
Big hair, bigger hearts, and a little Dolly Parton. Step inside Truvy’s beauty shop, where six women navigate life, love, laughter, and everything in between.
Ain't Nobody's Fool
by Martha Ackmann
In Ain't Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton, Martha Ackmann chronicles the life of an American Original. From her impoverished childhood in the Smoky Mountains to international stardom as a singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist, Dolly Parton has exceeded everyone's expectations except her own.
Good Lookin' Cookin'
by Dolly Parton
You’re invited to pull up a chair to a year of meals, friends, and fun with the Partons, as Dolly and her sister (and favorite cook) Rachel share beloved, crowd-pleasing recipes and family stories. I actually made the “Fruit Pizza” cupcakes out of this book this summer and they were a huge hit.
Run, Rose, Run
by James Patterson
From Dolly Parton and James Patterson comes Run, Rose, Run. It combines suspense, music, and personal drama as AnnieLee transforms from a fugitive with a troubled past into a rising country music star, all while navigating threats, mentorship, and the challenges of fame.
Coat of Many Colors
by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton lends the lyrics of her classic song “Coat of Many Colors” to this heartfelt picture book for young readers.
Unlikely Angel
by Lydia R. Hamessley
Hamessley reveals how Parton's loving, hardscrabble childhood in the Smoky Mountains provided the musical language, rhythms, and memories of old-time music that resonate in so many of her songs. Hamessley further provides an understanding of how Parton combines her cultural and musical heritage with an artisan's sense of craft and design to compose eloquent, painfully honest, and gripping songs about women's lives, poverty, heartbreak, inspiration, and love.
Dolly Parton Special
Dolly Parton Special
This celebratory birthday special edition magazine honors the one-and-only Dolly Parton. It’s a rhinestone-studded tribute to her life, legacy, activism, art, and sparkle. Dolly is equal parts icon and everywoman and has shaped American culture for decades—through her music, fashion, film, philanthropy, and unshakable optimism. And yes, Libby has magazines!
Behind the Seams
by Dolly Parton
A beautiful celebration of Dolly Parton’s iconic sense of style through entertaining personal stories and 450 full-color photographs, including exclusive images from her private costume archive. In Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, global superstar Dolly Parton shares, for the first time, the full story behind her lifelong passion for fashion, including how she developed her own, distinctly Dolly style, which defied convention and endeared her to fans around the world.
Dolly Parton, Songteller
by Dolly Parton
As told by Dolly Parton in her own inimitable words, explore the songs that have defined her journey. Illustrated throughout with previously unpublished images from Dolly Parton's personal and business archives. Mining over 60 years of songwriting, Dolly Parton highlights 175 of her songs and brings readers behind the lyrics.
Dolly Parton believed in the power of literacy and how it can change lives. So, we’re celebrating her the best way we know how: by reading. Take some time to read, open Libby, visit your local library, and remember Dolly in the way she hoped we all would:
“If I’m remembered 100 years from now, I hope it will be not for looks, but for books.” — Dolly Parton
Published Aug 25, 2026
Amanda Patton
Amanda is a creative marketing professional with 18 years of experience creating content across social media, print and digital marketing. She aims to create content that brings attention to public libraries and the important work they do through trending topics, nostalgia, humor, and more. Outside of work, you can find her behind her camera, thrifting, playing the piano, or stopping whatever she’s doing to pet a dog.