Elvis Presley’s 5 Favorite Books—From WWII Tales to The Read He ‘Purchased Hundreds of Copies Of’
The King of Rock 'n' Roll was a devoted reader who loved giving books to loved ones!
Key Takeaways
- Elvis Presley was an avid reader who kept books at Graceland and on tour with him.
- The King owned many copies of the Bible and annotated his favorite passages.
- Elvis purchased hundreds of copies of ‘The Impersonal Life’ and gave them to family and friends
The distinctive voice, the swiveling hips, the chart-topping hits, the Hollywood movies…the world knows and loves Elvis Presley as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. But beyond the golden spotlight, there was a more subdued, lesser-known side of Elvis—one that revolved around a deep love for books! In fact, his bookshelves at Graceland were filled with a wide range of reads and genres—from spirituality and religion to history, sports and classics.
If you’re curious about some of Elvis’ favorite books or looking for a King-approved reading recommendation or both, you’re in the right place! Here, we rounded up some of his go-to reads and the stories behind why they meant so much to him.
Did Elvis really adore reading?
Yes, he really did! “Elvis Presley loved to read,” the official Graceland website told fans in a special note commemorating April’s World Book Day.
“Not only did he keep books at home at Graceland Mansion, he often took many books out on the road with him while he toured,” the note continued. “Elvis’ favorite books are well-worn and well-loved—he would often underline his favorite passages and add notes in the margins.”
Here at Woman’s World, we are huge bibliophiles and fans of annotating books—so Elvis is a man after our own hearts! Keep reading for his top picks.
The one book he owned many copies of: the Bible
“He owned many, many copies of The Holy Bible,” the note continued. “Some are hard cover; some are soft covers. Some are copies that he purchased and some are gifts from fans.”
“In his King of Kings Holy Bible were found notes he’d written to himself on sheet music. He also kept a note from a fan in that Bible, as well as a card and bookmark. One Bible, The New Chain Reference Bible, was a gift from the Elvis Presley Fan Club in Melbourne. ‘To Elvis with Fondest Wishes from Your Australian Fans,’ is stamped on the inside cover.”
‘Rebel Coach’ by John Vaught—and other sports books!
A favorite book in Elvis’ personal library? Rebel Coach: My Football Family, which offers an inside look at the life and legacy of legendary Ole Miss football coach John Vaught. The 1971 memoir blends stories from his remarkable coaching career and insights into the game, along with tributes from quarterbacks Charley Conerly and Archie Manning.
What other readers are saying: “A must-read for Ole Miss Football fans and lovers of the legendary Coach Vaught!”
Elvis Presley books
‘Dynamic Karate’ BY M. Nakayama
Elvis’ interest in martial arts began in 1958 after he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Germany. And this book—penned by the late Master Masatoshi Nakayama—was one of countless karate books found on Elvis’ shelves.
Written by legendary Japan Karate Association chief instructor Masatoshi Nakayama, the book offers detailed, step-by-step instruction on mastering blocks, punches, kicks and more, reflecting the King’s lifelong dedication to the discipline.
Why other readers love it: “Master Nakayama wrote this book when Shotokan Karate was still not spread all over the World, so he wanted to deliver a step-by-step manual that could be useful to those who were not close to a qualified instructor. In my opinion he excelled at his task. The pictures in the book and the explanations attached to it are outstanding.”
‘The Impersonal Life’ by Joseph Benner
“Elvis was interested in and inspired by spiritualism and religion,” the note posted on Graceland.com continued. “His library reflects that.” But out of all the spiritual and religious books in his library, the note goes on to say that there was one book in particular that Elvis purchased “hundreds” of copies of. It was Joseph Benner’s The Impersonal Life.
“Elvis purchased hundreds of copies of that book over the years and gave them to family and friends.”
While Elvis was best known for his larger-than-life stage presence, books like The Impersonal Life reveal his more introspective side. The beloved spiritual classic by Joseph Benner explores faith, purpose and our connection to something greater.
Why other readers love it: “It has been said that Elvis Presley had this book close by for every day meditation, that he gave away 1000 copies to family and friends. Next to the Bible, Elvis pondered these words every day. Written in 1914 and authored anonymously, the author, who was a Lutheran pastor, did not want to be recognized. His wife sent it out for publication posthumously in 1941. This is a small book only 90 pages but it will open up vistas within you.”
‘The Little Prince’ by Antoine Saint-Exupéry
“Elvis shared his love of reading with his daughter, so the Presley family owned children’s books, too,” the note said. Books found in the Graceland library span genres and The Little Prince is one delightful example of that—and the one on his shelves was actually a gift from a fan! The beloved classic story—which has sold more than 140 million copies—by Antoine Saint-Exupéry follows a young prince’s travels through space. The tale that unfolds is a beautiful yet heartbreaking meditation on human nature, love, loss and friendship.
Why other readers love it: “I found this small book profound in that, at least to me, it reminds us of the things that we care about. The relationships we create are what makes things special and important. He missed his friend the rose so much that he found a way to return to his planet a year after leaving. It reminded me to take time to tend to my own special things, and be aware of the loved ones I have. To allow time for magic, and not take my adult self too very seriously. In this way, though it is written for children, I feel that adults need to reread this too. Five stars!”
‘The House At Pooh Corner’ by A.A. Milne
Another beloved read found on Elvis’ shelf? The House at Pooh Corner, A.A. Milne’s cherished classic featuring Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore—and the debut of everyone’s favorite lovable tiger, Tigger. Filled with sweet moments of kindness, friendship and life lessons, it’s easy to see why the heartwarming story resonated with the Presley family.
Why other readers love it: “The House at Pooh Corner holds all the charm of the first Winnie-the-Pooh novel. The characters haven’t changed and they are as funny and witty as ever. This novel, however, introduced the famous Tigger and his bounce.”
What other books are in Graceland’s library?
“Elvis had quite a collection of fascinating history books and historical biographies, too,” the note said. “Like the Bibles, some he purchased, while others were gifts from fans and friends. Topics include American history and Presidents, World Wars I and II, the Kennedy family, Winston Churchill, Eugene Lyons and more.”
Elvis’ bookshelves revealed the King’s reflective side
There’s something so meaningful about discovering what someone reads in their private moments. Books reveal hopes, questions and what we turn to for comfort. Elvis’ reading list shows us a person who was searching for spiritual meaning, who valued family and beloved classics and who never stopped learning—even at the heights of fame.
For more information on Elvis’ library and life at Graceland, visit Graceland.com
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
