Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Dolly Parton: Country Wisdom for Life's Little Challenges' by Media Lab Books, Topix Media Lab

'Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Dolly Parton: Country Wisdom for Life's Little Challenges' - exactly what it says on the tin.

It is like a short biography of Dolly, interspersed with details about her singing and acting roles, and with her song lyrics, inspirational quotes, and words of wisdom. Its photos, taken over the decades, are sublime and divine.

Positive, uplifting, heartfelt and inspirational, and even sad and bittersweet at times - the more challenging times of Dolly's career and life (up to 2020, and oh boy would it be needed then) - 'Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Dolly Parton' (aka 'What Would Dolly Do?') is an honest, personal, raw, grounded, and hopeful look into the Queen of Country Music's life, and a treasure for any Dolly fan.

It is like a pocket book you can read in a day, and take with you anywhere, to look at if you feel you are in need of a pick-me-up. And a cup of ambition. A cup of freedom and love.



"I love that I've been able to make a living at something I love to do."


"If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are an excellent leader."


"Don't get so busy making a living that you forget how to make a life."



For more on Dolly:


'Pocket Dolly Wisdom: Witty Quotes and Wise Words from Dolly Parton'

'Dolly Parton: Ultimate Fan Edition: Little Golden Book Biography'

'My Little Golden Book About Dolly Parton'


Final Score: 4/5

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'My Little Golden Book About Dolly Parton' by Deborah Hopkinson (Writer), Monique Dong (Illustrator)

A lovely, loving, sweet, adorable, colourful, uplifting, and inspiring Little Golden (bio) Book about Dolly Parton for children.

She's always loved butterflies, hasn't she? And nature and the miracles of life and the world that we take for granted.

Read my review of the 2026 updated edition here.

Final Score: 4/5

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Dolly Parton: Ultimate Fan Edition: Little Golden Book Biography' by Deborah Hopkinson (Writer), Monique Dong (Illustrator)

A beautiful, colourful, adorable, dazzling and inspiring Little Golden Book, that is Dolly Parton's mini biography for children.

Published in 2026, the 'Dolly Parton: Ultimate Fan Edition: Little Golden Book Biography' is an updated version of the previous Little Golden Book about Dolly, which was published in 2021. It contains bonus features, including extra details and facts, and quizzes, colouring pages, starter writer lines and lists, Dolly quotes, and stickers. It also includes a dedication to Dolly's husband of sixty years, Carl Dean, who passed away in 2025.

What a way to start the journey of getting to know the woman herself! A precious, uplifting and hopeful little book. About bookworm Dolly Parton! The lady of no limits, and of infinite possibilities, happiness, fun and love!



"Faith, hope, and love are the three most important words in my life!"


"If I'm remembered one hundred years from now, I hope it will not be for looks, but for books."


"I've never tried quitting, and I never quit trying."


"If you see someone without a smile today, give 'em yours."


"I'm a softie in my emotions, but I'm strong in my will."


"I'm very real where it counts, and that's inside."


"You never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try."


"I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love."


'DOLLY PARTON: One of a kind!

Dolly is so much more than just a talented performer. She inspires people through her heartfelt songs, love of family and community, and dedication to helping others.'



Final Score: 5/5

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Pocket Dolly Wisdom: Witty Quotes and Wise Words from Dolly Parton' by Hardie Grant Books (Editor)

Of all the Dolly books I've read so far, this little pocket book of her famous quotes and words of wisdom is my favourite.

Of course, Dolly Parton needs no introduction. She is one of the most famous female stars, icons, businesswomen and entrepreneurs in the world, who has been consistently popular and successful for over sixty years now. Upon reading more and more about her, and getting to know her better, beyond her literally thousands of written and sung songs, she is an exceptional; an incomparable and unparalleled talent, an inspiration, a dream maker, and an angel of a person worth admiring.

And a warm, loving, funny, self-aware, kind, friendly gal, who has always worked to put her fame and fortune to good use.

She is not to be limited to country music or the American South.

There are no limits when it comes to Dolly Parton. Not even her religion and deeply held beliefs limit her horizons; they are one part of her, and in fact, they inspire and guide her to love everyone and everything, and are one of the things that help her to be a less selfish and more grounded and altruistic person. She is genuine, the real deal; her own unique self, full of self-love, self-care and self-esteem, never fake on the inside.

She has been everywhere, done everything, looked however she's always wanted to look, and no matter how perfect she seemingly is, she strives to improve, to be a better person, for other people.

She will never stop trying to be better. She is truly amazing.

And from the quotes in 'Pocket Dolly Wisdom: Witty Quotes and Wise Words from Dolly Parton', I gather than Dolly is like that worldly experienced and wise, hilarious, kind, gentle yet outspoken, cutting and no-nonsense grandmotherly type we all know and love, who while being conservative in a few of her views, still treats everyone she meets equally. The pocket book also showcases how much sass Dolly has!

'Pocket Dolly Wisdom' (they really should have called it 'Dolly Pocket') - prepare to laugh, and cry, and love, and be inspired by all that Dolly has to say.

She is working towards becoming my idol, alongside Madonna and Marilyn Monroe (other nonnatural blondes, my word!).

I can't resist mentioning: she's a great writer and reader of books, too. Imagination Library forever!


'Dolly's motto:

Dream more,
learn more,
care more
and be more.'


Final Score: 5/5

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Madonna' by Michelle Morgan

On my newly, sudden quest to devour any book by or about world famous, aspirational female stars, who have made their own success, business, uniqueness and independence, and have stood the test of time and are admired for their work and talents more than anything else, I decided to check out 'Madonna' by Michelle Morgan. Morgan is also a huge fan of Marilyn Monroe, and wrote a lot of books about her.

Speaking of fandom, I consider myself to be a fan of the Queen of Pop. My mother was a huge fan (in a way, she still is), and owned Madonna's albums and CDs, before I bought my own copies. I grew up listening to Madge's music, and that admiration isn't so much rekindled as it has just remained kindled.

I love Madonna's songs, and her voice, her dances and moves, her versatile images and styles, her fearlessness, her daring, her drive, her perseverance, and how she's never been afraid to be controversial. There isn't a single look and outfit she hasn't tried at least once. She's a chameleon.

I even like some of her films ('Evita' and 'A League of Their Own' are my favourites).

She always did what she felt like, not caring what anyone thought, and that is a true and powerful "be yourself" message to send to girls and women, especially in the 70s-90s. This can and did lead to thoughtlessness, recklessness, and genuine overambitiousness and inappropriateness, but her offenses were typically overblown, because she was a woman who dared to be different; to do anything, really.

BTW, anything to do with her sexuality and how she expressed it is not one of her offenses. Don't be a sexist and/or misogynistic, puritanical hypocrite.

Madonna is a sex positive icon, and charity worker. Never perfect, but no one can be. Never pleasing everyone, but who realistically can?

She is one of the most famous women on the planet, and one of the most influential female artists of all time. She is a powerful female pop star, who is both the victim of fame and fortune, and the instigator of the various ups and downs of her career and life. She is a woman in the spotlight, and frequently the subject/target of scandal, and is scrutinised and judged by everybody, mostly by people who think they are any better than she is.

Madonna is both inspirational and a manifestation of what fame and fortune can do to a person. She's messy, and that's fine for a woman, you know, and her flaws and mistakes are not enough for me to dismiss her talents on the stage.

So, what about the book that this review is supposed to be about?

'Madonna' is a detailing of the life of Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, accompanied by photos - lots and lots of photos. It can be devoured in a day. It is dated now, from when it was published in 2015, but it is an interesting, quick and colourful item for any Madonna fan to own.

A fresh, informative, unbiased (mostly), and funny treat (and photo album).

That's all, folks!

Final Score: 3.5/5

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe' by Vivian Kirkfield (Writer), Alleanna Harris (Illustrator)

A beautifully told and illustrated picture book about the little-known and little-publicised friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe.

Indeed, in every other book about Marilyn I've read, Ella isn't mentioned at all. I have to wonder why.

But at least this book that everyone of all ages can read rectifies that.

I also need to rectify my lacking in knowledge of Ella Fitzgerald, and listen to and reignite my love of jazz.

'Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe' - the title fulfils its promise. Most importantly, it is about the women as individuals, and their (truncated) backgrounds, careers, and what they achieved in their goals and lives, as well as their relationship with one another.

It is about how Ella inspired Marilyn (specifically, on how to be a better singer and performer), thus leading the latter to lend a fellow star she admired a helping hand in return. Ella was Marilyn's idol; the Hollywood movie star was a big fan of the jazz singer, and vice versa. In different ways, they each helped prosper the other's career.

As another reviewer pointed out, 'Making Their Voices Heard' manages to avoid the white saviour trope by giving equal page time and respect to both women, and by making it plainly, carefully clear that they were both capable of making their dreams come true on their own, and were strong, passionate and persistent enough in their own right, to overcome any obstacles. It's just that everyone needs a little help and endorsement (and inspiration on Marilyn's part) every now and then, for wider, universal exposure. Sadly, this was true during a time of racial segregation in 1950s America.

'Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe' - it's a better version of another Ella and Marilyn picture book, 'Ella Queen of Jazz'.

Cheers to two amazing, shining female stars and singers, who broke so many barriers of discrimination, and whose work has stood the test of time - because of their passions, talents, voices, charms, stage presences, warmth, love, and staying true to themselves, no matter what anyone else tried to dictate about who they could be and where.

Female friendship knows no societal bounds.


'Ella and Marilyn. On the outside, you couldn't find two girls who looked more different. But on the inside, they were alike--full of hopes and dreams, and plans of what might be.'

'Ella's heart sang, and in doing so, she had helped Marilyn find her voice.'

'For the rest of their lives, Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe remained good friends. Ella never missed one of Marilyn's movies. And Marilyn never stopped listening to Ella's songs.'


Final Score: 5/5

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'The Little Book of Marilyn: Inspiration from the Goddess of Glam' by Michelle Morgan

A beautiful, broad (in (nearly) every sense) and informative pocket book about one of the greatest, most iconic starlets who ever lived.

So many gorgeous, glamourous, daring and adventurous photos to go with the info, and the quotes and advice, and the makeup, style and craftmanship tutorials and tips. So many facts and tidbits about Marilyn that I didn't know before. It also talks about her love of books and constantly improving herself.

Inspirational, aspirational, positive, funny and loving, 'The Little Book of Marilyn: Inspiration from the Goddess of Glam' is a must for any Marilyn Monroe fan's collection. Let it be one of your guides and self-help books!

By the same author:


'Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed'

'The Girl: Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch, and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist'


Additional book recommendations for Marilyn fans, by a Marilyn fan:


'My Story'

'My Sister Marilyn: A Memoir of Marilyn Monroe'

'Marilyn Monroe: By Eve Arnold'


Her story, her legendary status, her real life and beauty, lives on.

Final Score: 5/5