Elevate your next travel journey by taking a leaf out of Hollywood's most sophisticated personal library. From modernist Irish masterpieces to quintessential American road trips, these seven captivating books reveal the brilliant, well-read mind behind Marilyn Monroe’s iconic persona.
Looking for your next in-flight read? Look no further, Marilyn Monroe has you covered! The iconic American actress was an avid, voracious reader, collecting over 400 books across every imaginable genre. This year, June 1st would have marked Monroe’s 100th birthday. In her memory, here are seven of her all-time favourite books to inspire your next literary journey, including several timeless classics we all know and love.
Ulysses by James Joyce
First on Monroe’s list, and widely reputed to be her number-one favourite, is James Joyce's modernist masterpiece, Ulysses. The novel famously follows two men, Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus, as they go about their daily lives in Dublin on a single day: 16th June 1904. Eventually, their paths cross in a narrative often celebrated as a brilliant modern parallel to Homer’s Odyssey. It is a challenging but deeply rewarding read for any long-haul flight.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Next on the star's reading list is The Great Gatsby. Originally published in 1925, just a year before Monroe herself was born, this novel offers a glittering yet ultimately tragic portrayal of America's Jazz Age. The story follows Nick Carraway, a young, aspiring bond salesman, as he moves to Long Island. He is quickly pulled into the lavish, hedonistic world of his mysterious millionaire neighbour, Jay Gatsby. Known for his flamboyant parties, Gatsby remains obsessed with just one thing: rekindling his lost romance with Daisy Buchanan.
Roughing It by Mark Twain
Roughing It recounts Mark Twain’s wild journey through the American West and Hawaii during the 1860s. Masterfully mixing memoir with travelogue, this lively and humorous account follows the author as he leaves his comfortable life in the East behind to explore the rugged frontier. Along the way, he encounters prospectors, outlaws, journalists, and a host of larger-than-life characters. The tale effortlessly blends real-life travel experiences with biting satire, all delivered with Twain’s signature wit.
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Another literary classic adored by Monroe was Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. This French masterpiece follows Emma, a young woman trapped in a suffocating, dull marriage to a provincial, well-meaning doctor. Desperate for excitement, Emma spends her days daydreaming about the grand fantasies of romantic novels, eventually escaping her reality through lavish spending and passionate extramarital affairs. However, her desperate search for true passion soon spirals tragically out of control.
The Little Disturbances of Man by Grace Paley
This brilliant 1959 collection of short stories is set against the backdrop of mid-century New York, perfectly capturing the turbulence of love, marriage, motherhood, and loneliness. Paley’s sharp characters are constantly searching for meaning within ordinary lives, falling in and out of love whilst juggling family life and personal ambition. The collection offers a savvy, funny, and deeply human look at the small dramas that define our everyday existence.
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
The Prophet is an extraordinary collection of 26 poetic essays originally published in 1923. It offers warm, spiritual, and philosophical advice on life's biggest questions, ranging from love and marriage to work and death. Monroe herself was a major admirer of the work, once quoting it as being “more or less a pattern for everyday living.”
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Last on the list is Jack Kerouac’s quintessential beat-generation novel, On the Road. Readers follow young writer Sal Paradise and his wild, magnetic friend Dean Moriarty as they hitchhike across America in a restless search for freedom and purpose. Set just after the Second World War, this high-octane story beautifully showcases the raw energy of a generation drawn to jazz clubs, poetry, fast cars, and spontaneous adventures. It is the ultimate literary road trip.
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