Welcome to Litsy!

Dolly is a national treasure. I was able see her a few weeks ago at a luncheon for the Imagination Library for our state; librarians were invited. She‘s a true delight and reading this book has only enhanced my appreciation of the social icon she‘s become. This woman has it all figured out. She‘ll make fun of herself before anyone else gets a chance to do so. She‘s down to earth, but oh so wise. A great (short) book of essays about this gem.💎

My research paper for my Music as Protest class is delving deep into the feminism of Dolly Parton and this book was for that assignment. Eye opening & revealing

This was a published version of a series of essays. I love learning more about Dolly Parton who is one of my heroes. The writing was ok, and I wish I hadn‘t listened to it on audiobook as the author did the narration. Some good insights, but a bit repetitive due to the patching together of various essays. 3.5⭐️ a square for my #bookspinbingo

Man, vacation week went by way too fast! And the airport book selections have not been the greatest this trip. Good thing you can always rely on Dolly.

I would take a bullet for Dolly Parton. She Come By It Natural isn‘t a biography or a memoir, but a testament to the cultural significance of an icon. Plus, it‘s full of the kind of fun facts I love to lob at my friends and family without warning (did you know Dolly has donated over 133 million books to children through her Imagination Library?). Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/new-releases/

I was surprised by how much I loved this book. Now I want to read Dolly's autobiography. She's amazing. I'm also moving Smarsh's Heartland up on my TBR list.

Money doesn‘t have to corrupt. Honestly I rarely read about the personal lives of celebrities because so often they are disappointing as people. Dolly Parton is the exact opposite of that. Hearing about her professional life, what she‘s done for her community in East Tennessee, and listening to Smarsh‘s insightful interpretations of how Parton‘s songs and persona are an homage to poor women‘s lives and contributions left me with a joyful hope.

An excellent read. I went in expecting a biography of Dolly Parton, and I got even more. Dolly, yes, but also a deeper understanding of a kind of working woman's feminism, and some delightful views into Smarsh herself, all woven together to make a whole much richer than the sum of its parts.

I also learned that DOLLY PARTON WAS AN EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ON BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯 Amazing.

"Sometimes a woman who knows her worth ought to lean in. But sometimes she ought to just leave."

Another treat for mom! Hoping I can borrow it once she‘s done.

Cracking open this little book about Dolly! 🪕 🎶
#bookspinbingo

Reading about Dolly and how she followed her gut regarding so many business decisions. Dollywood was one of her best financial bets. It also brought jobs to East Tennessee - the economic impact to the area is $1.5 billion annually.

Thus far excellent.

So please to see the tagged book on the list - yeah for the love of Dolly! ♥️

https://www.bookcritics.org/2021/01/24/announcing-the-finalists-for-the-2020-nbc...

Like the author, I grew up listening to country music and have long been a fan of Dolly Parton. I had expected a straightforward biography of Parton and was pleasantly surprised by this personal memoir blended with a tribute to Parton. Smarsh also gives her perspective on why Parton would have distanced herself from the term feminist, all while acting as feminist as can be. #Audiobook narrated by the author, who flags occasionally in delivery.

Maybe it‘s no coincidence that Parton‘s popularity seemed to surge the same year America seemed to falter. A fractured thing craves wholeness, and that‘s what Dolly Parton offers—one woman who simultaneously embodies past and present, rich and poor, feminine and masculine, Jezebel and Holy Mother, the journey of getting out and the sweet return to home.
(Internet photo)

Yes! Feminism is feminism no matter what you wanna call it. Thanks Dolly!

Loved the tagged and it really got into reading more about Dolly - there‘s soo much out there and this article is a good starting place. 👏🏼👏🏼

https://www.bookforum.com/print/2704/the-enduring-songcraft-of-dolly-parton-2426...

On the sixth day of Christmas...
I loved this short book about Dolly Parton and what her music means to people.
#12Booksof2020
Thanks for hosting this @Andrew65 I‘ve added so many books to my TBR for 2021!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A journalistic look into Parton‘s life and career while paralleling the lives of women in Smarsh‘s rural Kansas family. Dolly has long lived a feminist life; always going her own way, staying true to herself and her east Tennessee roots. Proving her worth, singing about difficult topics, dressing how she pleases, and keeping her chin up. This isn‘t just about Dolly, but about all women. Smarsh is thoughtful in her analyses. Loved it!

#Novemberwrapup
A selection of this months reading. An unintentional theme of journeys has emerged - from Dolly‘s Appalachian roots, to the Scottish islands for self recovery, from post war London full of tensions and angst to Canadian edgelands in search of that elusive species. And final a family‘s journey to the past and back for reckoning, justice and peace. I‘ve enjoyed my non fiction month - but craving story now!

Dolly is a boss. They tried to turn her into a boob joke, but the joke is on them. #NonFictionNovember

An easy-ish read about the awesomeness that is Dolly. Definitely made me want to read her autobiography for more depth, but the stories Smarsh chooses to tell, and the sociological context she provides, are great.

It's a powerful story of the language of the working class & how Parton has used that to reframe the public vision of the rural poor & do so with broad, proud shoulders. Smarsh weaves in stories from her own family (her gran is the same age as Dolly) reminding readers that there are a myriad of ways to be a woman of strength & vision, of charity & power. The book is a series of magazine articles stitched together & that might be its only failing.

Not what I thought it would be. Read it anyway, but expected more current content even though its clear in the forward that the publication is based on a previously published series of works. Most of the things mention, followers of Dolly will already know and will seem repetitive, as this book is a well assembled project from bios, articles & interviews throughout a lifetime.

Just what I needed this week. Dolly Parton as an uplifting, empowering, philanthropic icon for humans of all kinds who embodies feminism (even if she doesn‘t identify with it on a semantic level)? Whose life story is a case study demonstrating what could unite rather than divide us? A very perfect read for me in this moment.

If you could use a pick-me-up, this petite collection of essays about Dolly Parton is as pleasing and mood-elevating a read as it is insightful cultural criticism. If you listened to the 2019 podcast Dolly Parton‘s America, you probably won‘t be surprised by anything in this book but you‘ll be sure to enjoy it. 🌞

Dolly is inextricably bound to my time in East Tennessee. She has been a force in the performance & songwriting industries and has done great philanthropy in & provided jobs in East TN.

Smarsh‘s book is best when she‘s discussing Dolly‘s career and impact on and ties to white working class women. Her occasional attempt to bring women of color into the discussion were clunky at best. Perhaps she should leave that to own voices writing about Dolly.

I listened to this in anticipation of Dolly‘s new book tagged below. It examines the hurdles Dolly has faced in her career, and how she stayed true to herself. A kind soul and philanthropist in addition to being a creative genius. The 2019 podcast, Dolly Parton‘s America hosted by Jad Abumrad is also a must listen. 3/5🪕s

The first on my stack for #nfn2020.

This was a smart bio about Dolly.

http://obsessedbookaholic.com/2020/10/13/she-come-by-it-natural-book-review/

Finished my dog walk and getting ready to settle into a sauna session with my newest find. Who wouldn't want to read all about the amazing Dolly Parton?!

Any other Dolly Parton fans out there?