She Come by It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs

 She Come by It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs by Sarah Smarsh  187 pages

Summary from Goodreads: Growing up amid Kansas wheat fields and airplane factories, Sarah Smarsh witnessed firsthand the particular vulnerabilities—and strengths—of women in working poverty. Meanwhile, country songs by female artists played in the background, telling powerful stories about life, men, hard times, and surviving. In her family, she writes, “country music was foremost a language among women. It’s how we talked to each other in a place where feelings aren’t discussed.” And no one provided that language better than Dolly Parton.

This small book was a quick, enjoyable read. While I grew up hearing Dolly's songs on the radio (on the occasion my parents would turn to the local country station on the car radio), I wouldn't say I really knew her catalog of work. And while I knew a little about her, I really didn't know much. Smarsh really packs a lot into this book, especially about Dolly Parton's beginnings in the music business. And, Smarsh adds some details about her own upbringing and ties them into Parton's music.  So, a nice book -- and something that will likely make you look for and listen to more of Dolly Parton's music.