Marilyn Monroe’s 7 Favorite Books of All Time—See Her Picks!
As the world approaches what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday, fascination with the Hollywood icon shows no signs of fading. Her initial breakthrough in 1950’s noir film The Asphalt Jungle—for which she had a small but scene-stealing role—marked the start of an amazing career. But behind all the glamour, beauty and cameras, Marilyn was also an avid reader with a deep love for books.
As legend has it, she read everywhere—on trips, on set, at home. One of her directors once found her on break reading Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke and asked what drew her to the title. “On nights when I’ve got nothing else to do, I go to the Pickwick bookstore on Hollywood Boulevard and just open books at random,” Marilyn replied. “When I come to a page or a paragraph I like, I buy that book. So last night I bought this one. Is that wrong?”
Here at Woman’s World, we are lifelong fans of Marilyn and all things books, so we just had to know: What are her favorite books? Well, it’s well documented that she had a personal library brimming with more than 400 books across various genres from American literature to poetry, plays, inspiration and humor. To discover some of Marilyn’s favorite books and to learn about Gail Crowther’s upcoming novel, Marilyn and Her Books: The Literary Life of Marilyn Monroe, keep scrolling!
Her Jazz Age favorite: ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Among the classics in Marilyn’s collection was F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Originally published in 1925, this tale is Fitzgerald’s glittering yet tragic portrait of the Jazz Age. The novel follows aspiring bond salesman Nick Carraway after he relocates to Long Island. There, he enters the lavish world of his mysterious millionaire neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Known for his extravagant parties, Gatsby is driven by one obsession: rekindling his romance with the beautiful Daisy Buchanan. But beneath all the glamour lies a darker story of longing, illusion and heartbreak.
Her go-to for laughs: ‘Roughing It’ by Mark Twain
Roughing It is Mark Twain’s 1872 lively and hilarious account of his years traveling through the American West and Hawaii during the 1860s. Part memoir, part travelogue, this beloved book follows Twain as he leaves behind his life in the East and ventures into the rugged frontier, where he encounters prospectors, outlaws, journalists and larger-than-life characters along the way. Written with his signature wit and sharp eye for detail, Twain blends real-life experiences with satire and captures the real-life chaos and excitement of the American frontier.
Her most loved: ‘Ulysses’ by James Joyce
Among Marilyn Monroe superfans, it’s often debated which book is her #1 favorite. But James Joyce’s Ulysses is often credited as one of her top picks. Joyce’s story chronicles a single ordinary day in Dublin: June 16, 1904. Instead of an epic quest, the plot follows two men as they go about their everyday lives, eventually crossing paths. It’s known as a modern parallel to Homer’s Odyssey.
To add to the lore of this being one of her favorite reads, photographer Eve Arnold famously snapped a photo of Marilyn reading Ulysses. “We worked on a beach on Long Island. She was visiting Norman Rosten the poet. As far as I remember (it is some 30 years ago), I asked her what she was reading when I went to pick her up (I was trying to get an idea of how she spent her time),” Arnold said. “She said she kept Ulysses in her car and had been reading it for a long time. She said she loved the sound of it and would read it aloud to herself.”
A tale of longing she likely related to: ‘Madame Bovery’ Gustave Flaubert
Another book found in Marilyn’s extensive personal library was the classic Madame Bovary. This story centers on Emma, a young woman trapped in a stifling marriage to a boring but well-meaning doctor. She spends her time daydreaming about fantasies from romantic novels and seeks escape through lavish spending and affairs. But before long, Emma’s search for true passion spirals into chaos.
Stories that spoke to her: ‘The Little Disturbances of Man’ by Grace Paley
This 1959 collection offered a savvy, funny and human look at the tiny dramas unfolding inside everyday life—and it was reportedly one of Marilyn’s favorite books!
Set against the backdrop of mid-century New York, Paley’s stories capture the turbulence of love, marriage, motherhood and loneliness. The characters constantly search for meaning in ordinary life while falling in and out of love,juggling families and ambition. It’s easy to imagine Marilyn connecting to Paley’s female characters. Each one is intelligent, vulnerable, resilient and very often misunderstood.
Her most ‘inspiring’ pick: ‘The Prophet’ by Kahlil Gibran
In 1953, Marilyn was quoted talking about Gibran’s famous work. “The Prophet by Khalil Gibran is very inspiring,” she said. “It is more or less a pattern for everyday living.” This classic collection of 256 poetic essays was originally published in 1923 and offers warm spiritual and philosophical advice on life’s biggest questions—including love, marriage and career. Since its publication, it remains one of the most beloved and bestselling books of all time!
Her Beat Generation fave: ‘On the Road’ by Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac’s On the Road is a seminal beatnik classic—and it was one of Marilyn’s absolute favorites! The story follows young writer Sal Paradise and his wild, magnetic friend Dean Moriarty as they travel back and forth across America chasing freedom and a sense of purpose. Set in the years after World War II, the novel captures the energy of a generation drawn to jazz clubs, parties, fast cars and spontaneous adventures.
Want to learn even more about Marilyn’s literary life?
You’re in luck! Gail Crowther’s fascinating new book, Marilyn and Her Books: The Literary Life of Marilyn Monroe, is out now—and it’s a Woman’s World Book Club nonfiction pick in this week’s issue!
With the full cooperation of the Monroe estate and timed with her 100th birthday, the book explores this lesser-known side of the Hollywood legend and chronicles Marilyn’s drive for self-education. Readers also get a glimpse of her time with famous writers like Arthur Miller and Dylan Thomas. It’s a wonderfully well-researched peek into her personal library, her literary friendships and her devoted love of literature.
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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 6:30 PM.