Dolly Parton Loves This Southern Author—Here Are the 7 Best Books to Add to Your Reading List!
From the rugged hills of Appalachia to the “hollers” of Virginia, these books captivate from the start!
Key Takeaways
- Dolly Parton, 80, reads at least 50 books a year and calls Lee Smith her favorite author.
- Smith's novel 'Oral History' is Dolly's all-time favorite and goes "plum deep into her soul."
- Smith's books are celebrated for their vivid, deeply felt portrayals of Appalachian life.
Dolly Parton is a legend—a globally beloved superstar, storyteller, songwriter, actress and activist. Known to millions as the undisputed Queen of Country, she also holds a lesser-known title that’s even closer to her heart: The Book Lady. The nickname comes from her lifelong passion for reading and her nonprofit program, the Imagination Library. During a sit-down interview at Dollywood with Jenna Bush Hager for the Open Book With Jenna podcast, she was asked which nickname she prefers. “I mean, I love the music and I’ll already be naturally known for that,” Dolly said with a smile. “But I have loved doing this [The Imagination Library] for the kids—there’s nothing more important than making an impression on them when they’re young.”
And when Dolly’s not championing books, she’s reading them. “I must read at least about 50 books a year,” she told Jenna. With a taste that spans historical fiction, classics and romance, Dolly has no shortage of favorites—but one storyteller stands above the rest: Southern author Lee Smith.
If you’re curious about Dolly’s favorite author—and want a few hand-picked recommendations to try—you’re in the right place. Here, we’ve rounded up the best books by Lee Smith, including two of Dolly’s all-time favorites. Keep scrolling for the must-reads!
‘Oral History’—Dolly’s all-time favorite by Lee Smith
Dolly called Smith her “favorite Southern writer” in an interview with Marie Claire. “This book really hits home for me because it’s really about Southern people,” Parton explained to the outlet about Oral History. “It’s a wonderful story about families, and love and romance and just the hard times that people go through. Lee Smith just tells a story in such a way that it just goes plum deep into my soul and heart. And if you have not read Lee Smith, you better get after it!”
Described as Appalachian Gothic, thanks to its atmospheric Southern settings and narrative blending myth and long-buried family superstitions, Oral History follows a young college student named Jennifer, who returns to her rural childhood home in Virginia’s mountainous town of Hoot Owl Holler to record her family’s history for a school project—only to become entangled in a web of long-buried secrets. Told through multiple voices spanning generations, the story centers on the enigmatic Dory and vividly captures the traditions and tensions of Appalachian life in Hoot Owl Holler.
‘Black Mountain Breakdown’ —A tale of small-town dreams and secrets
Dolly—who was raised in the Smoky Mountain foothills—feels right at home in Smith’s books, which are celebrated for her deeply felt portrayals of Appalachian life. This novel transports readers to the declining mountain town of Black Rock. Crystal Spangler grows up convinced she’s meant for more than her small-town beginnings—she’s smart, popular and even wears the crown as a teen beauty queen. Everything points to a bright future and eventually she manages to flee her hometown. But years later, Crystal is pulled back, where long-hidden, painful truths begin to surface.
What other readers are saying: “I read and loved Lee Smith’s Fair and Tender Ladies, and enjoyed the return to Smith’s Appalachia. Both books are stuffed with story. Even very minor characters usually get fascinating backstories or amusing mini-portraits. I love Lee Smith’s writing and her sense of place and people and story.”
‘Fair and Tender Ladies’ —An epistolary masterpiece
Another beloved standout among Smith’s books, Fair and Tender Ladies is written almost entirely as letters and it showcases Smith’s gift for intimate, character-driven storytelling set against the backdrop of Appalachian life. From the moment Ivy Rowe is born on Blue Star Mountain, her life is shaped by longing, resilience and a fierce emotional spirit—captured through the letters she writes to those she loves. She shows promise of becoming a writer and dreams of leaving home to pursue an education in the North. But when she winds up pregnant and faces harsh public judgment, she marries a childhood friend and returns to her family homestead. Here, she raises children and navigates the relentless demands of farm life—all while holding onto the belief that joy still lies ahead. Fans of decades-spanning Southern sagas and epistolary tales will enjoy this!
What other readers are saying: “In the words of Ivy Rowe, one of the most spirited, wisest, and most memorable literary characters ever, I am ‘ruint’ after reading this incredible novel! Seriously, I cannot get this book out of my head and out of my heart. It seems everything else will pale in comparison for quite some time. I had never heard of this book or the very talented author, Lee Smith, until now. I have surely been remiss, but it is never too late to make up for lost time. I’m sure Ivy would agree.”
‘Guests on Earth’ —A haunting story inspired by true events
In this mesmerizing novel—inspired by true events—Smith masterfully blends fact and fiction. In 1936, 13-year-old orphan Evalina Toussaint is admitted to Highland Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. The facility is known for its unusual treatments for mental disorders and addictions. Taken under the wing of the hospital’s most famous patient, Zelda Fitzgerald, Evalina eventually witnesses the events leading up to the tragic 1948 fire that claimed nine lives.
What other readers are saying: “This was my first Lee Smith book (a local author for me) but it will not be my last. She did a brilliant job of combining historical events with the fictitious characters she created. The story is told by Evalina who spends the majority of her life as a “guest” at Highland Hospital in Asheville, NC. The hospital and the famous Dr. Carroll were real—as was the infamous Zelda Fitzgerald who was a guest there as well until she died in a fire at the hospital. I loved the tidbits of southern and mountain life, from descriptions of Asheville and New Orleans, the Grove Park, the food, the music, dances and fashions of the time as well as the “voices” of these characters. I could hear the cadence, the accents and their tone as they spoke.”
‘Dimestore: A Writer’s Life’—Get to know Lee Smith herself
Here at Woman’s World, we were immediately intrigued when we learned that Lee Smith is Dolly’s favorite Southern author of all time. If you’re also curious about Smith’s backstory, we highly recommend her first nonfiction work, Dimestore: A Writer’s Life. In this 2016 memoir composed of 15 essays, Smith chronicles her childhood in the coal-mining town of Grundy, Virginia, where her dad owned a five-and-dime store, her unique Appalachian upbringing and her fascinating journey to becoming an acclaimed writer.
What other readers are saying: “Dimestore brought back a lot of memories for me although I grew up in another small town in Southwest Virginia. I have always loved Lee Smith and her books, so reading this book was pure joy for me. Fair and Tender Ladies will always be my favorite…I remember reading it one hot summer as my husband and I drove into the mountains of Tennessee with our two children. I didn’t want to arrive at the cabin we had rented because that meant putting the book down. Dimestore held me in the same grip.”
‘Saving Grace’—A powerful story of faith and self-discovery
Another standout reader-favorite is Smith’s 1995 novel, Saving Grace, which follows Florida Grace Shepherd, the daughter of a charismatic, snake-handling Pentecostal preacher. Growing up in a world defined by poverty, faith and constant upheaval, Grace tries to find her way. While those around her are swept up in her father’s powerful presence, she struggles to feel any connection to the religion that shapes her life. As she enters her teenage years and her family begins to unravel, she’s pulled into a series of choices beyond her control—setting her on a difficult path toward self-discovery.
What other readers are saying: “I find myself missing Lee Smith’s voice when I’m not reading one of her books. Smith follows a family of snake handlers this time. For those of you who aren’t from these hills, I’ll tell you: Snake handlers are holy rollers, people on the fringe of a Christianity that has no room for ambiguities. I loved the voice, the descriptions of bucolic mountains and harsh roadside motels. Smith’s character unravels in a most disturbing way at the end…and I loved that part the most.”
‘On Agate Hill’—A generation-spanning Southern saga
Smith has a unique knack for crafting complex stories that spotlight Southern life and dynamic characters—and On Agate Hill checks all these boxes! One reviewer raved upon its release in 2006: “Lee Smith has never written a lousy book; she may never have written a lousy sentence. And so, to declare this novel her best yet–well, that’s saying something.”
The story begins with the discovery of a dusty box in the remnants of an old plantation on Agate Hill in North Carolina. In the box, tidbits from a fascinating life are uncovered: letters, poems, songs, court records, dolls…and bones. Through these mysterious tokens, readers meet Molly Petree. Raised in those ruins and orphaned by the Civil War, Molly is still self-assured. Then, a benefactor rescues her and she never looks back. The story spans half a century and weaves the tale of Molly’s life, love and betrayals.
What other readers are saying: “This novel is so full of wonderful things: memorable characters, history, love, friendship, fun and excitement, and all told from different points of view through diary entries, letters, straight narration and at one point, a coroner’s inquest from a testifying witness. A sense of place highlighted everything for me as well, as I am familiar with both the NC piedmont of Agate Hill and the Jefferson, NC Appalachian settings as well. The speech patterns of the mountain people were done perfectly as well, delightfully expressive and completely descriptive.”
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