Dolly Parton's Favorite Books Deserve A Spot On Your TBR

Dolly Parton may be the Queen of Country, but she takes on more of a bookworm persona at home. On the podcast "Open Book With Jenna" by "TODAY," Dolly Parton told Jenna Bush Hager, "I must read at least about 50 books a year [0:30]." Her love for reading extends beyond her own bookshelf. The country singer launched her own nonprofit, Imagination Library, in 1995 and Dolly Parton is bringing books to your community. The organisation has already provided more than 300 million books to children worldwide. "Even if you can't afford to go to college or get a big education, if you can read, you can educate yourself [2:25]," she explained.

In a letter to her fans, Dolly Parton said her passion for literature stems from her father's illiteracy. "He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams," she wrote. Speaking to Bush Hager, the "Jolene" singer also revealed that her father wasn't alone — many of her family members, who grew up in the southern mountainous areas, were also illiterate.

While the star isn't fussy about book genres, she has read some heartbreaking reads from Reese Witherspoon's book club and has a deep love for books set in the American South, with them often having a theme in common: hard times and struggle. The books she loves have meaning and deserve to be read by everyone. Parton doesn't hesitate when asked about her top reads. She particularly loves "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen, "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas, "Oral History" by Lee Smith, "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck and "Big Stone Gap" by Adriana Trigiani.

Considering Dolly Parton's long history with pushing boundaries and overcoming life's obstacles, it's no surprise she enjoys delving into novels that follow themes of sacrifice and struggle. "Water for Elephants" contains themes of love and sacrifice, and follows Polish orphan Jacob Jankowski as he falls in love with a married woman. "The Count of Monte Cristo" is a darker tale that also touches on sacrifice, following Edmond Dantès' wrongful imprisonment and his determination to unearth hidden treasure.

The "9 to 5" singer has admitted to reading "The Grapes of Wrath" three times. The novel follows the Joad family, who endure the effects of the Great Depression. Like her other favorites, the novel weaves themes of family, sacrifice, and the American South. In an interview with Marie Claire, Dolly Parton said she identifies with the characters in the book. "I relate to the hard work, the poor people, the struggles, and the times," she said [4:50].

Parton loves to find herself in literature and uses books to connect with her Southern roots. One of her favorite authors is Lee Smith. Speaking to Marie Claire, the country superstar said she relates to Smith's "Oral History" because it hits close to home. "It's really about Southern people," she said [1:40], noting that the book delves into family relationships, love, and hard times. Adriana Trigiani is another one of her favorite Southern writers. "She grew up in Cumberland Gap in the South," Dolly Parton told the outlet. Like Smith's works set in the American South, "Big Stone Gap" unfolds in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.