I’m black. I’m genderqueer. I’m autistic. Let’s look at some books my non-neurotypical mind really likes. Sit by my cozy chair and let me hyperfixate at you woth a random selection from my local library.
Today’s selection is Dolly Parton Behind the Seams My Life In Rhinestones.
I picked this out on a whim because I was browsing the library shelves and it stood out to me. The absolute size of it! The pink! The glitzy decoration! The care to simulate a rhinestone decor on a flat surface impressed me. It should also be mentioned that Parton had passed away the previous day so it felt like it was especially calling to me.
What a delight this monstrously sized book is! Its part memoir, part historical view of Parton’s many outfits throughout the years, from when she first got atarted in Nashville as part of a duo (something I didn’t know) up to establishing Dollywood. The photos are an absolute treat and the glossy paper they printed it on makes you really believe how shiny everything must be in real life. It must be a sensory overload to see the actual objects but this book is perfect for me.
I also appreciate how much credit was given to the actual designers, from clothes to hair to makeup throughout the years. In an era of AI, it feels like the industry wants to eliminate having to credit artists for any kind of work. It’s a breath of fresh air to see someone carefully curate who did what for all of Parton’s looks over the decades, whether they’re still with us or not.
Leave a comment