Celebrate National Book Lovers Day with These 15 Tennessee Must Reads
Today marks National Book Lovers Day, a day to celebrate reading. Find your favorite reading nook and cozy up with these unforgettable stories about Tennessee.
Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History by Keith O’Brien
Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma has the complete collection of the accomplished Aviatrix, Louise Thadden, including her pilot’s license signed by Orville Wright and original racing trophies.
The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan
Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Oak Ridge tells the story of the Secret City, known for its role in developing the technology that ended World War II. Learn about the fascinating history, and past and modern scientific achievements.
Respect Yourself: Stax Records & The Soul Explosion by Robert Gordon
Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis tells the legacy of one of the most popular soul music record labels of all time that spans more than half a century through interactive exhibits and galleries.
The Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick
Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis takes fans on an unforgettable journey through the revolutionary life and legacy of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Tina Turner: My Love Story by Tina Turner
West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville houses the one-room schoolhouse Tina Turner once attended. The Tina Turner Museum includes memorabilia and costumes and lets fans explore what life was like for the icon.
Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley
The Alex Haley Museum and Interpretive Center in Henning is a restored home on the National Register of Historic Places features Haley’s work, with childhood memorabilia and references to the people who inspired his characters in Roots.
March by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell
Civil Rights Room in the Nashville Public Library features oral histories, firsthand photographs and provides a current voice for open dialogue and discovery. Witness Walls is public artwork inspired by the events and people who made history in Nashville during the Civil Rights Movement.
The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
Carnton in Franklin. The book tells the brave story of Carrie McGavock, whose home became a field hospital as the Battle of Franklin in 1864 raged across fields.
Sgt. York: His Life, Legend & Legacy by John Perry
Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park in Pall Mall includes a visitor center modeled after York’s general store, his home, a grist mill, York Bible School and York Farm.
Historic Knoxville: The Curious Visitor’s Guide to its Stories and Places by Jack Neely.
Stop by Visit Knoxville at WDVX to pick up a guide, which encompasses old brick buildings of Knoxville’s core, Market Square, historic neighborhoods, parks and cemeteries, as well as suggested literary walks.
The Last Night on the Titanic by Veronica Hinke
Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge. Discover stories of passengers and crew who sailed the Titanic as tour guides and interactive galleries bring them to life.
Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton and Robert K. Oermann
Dolly Parton Statue in Sevierville is a tribute to the legend in her hometown. Explore family fun at the Chasing Rainbows Museum at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. In Nashville, learn the stories of icons with exhibits and programs at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Then, grab cocktails under a pink umbrella next to a Dolly Parton statue made from pink chicken wire at the rooftop bar White Limozeen at the Graduate Hotel.
Country Music: An Illustrated History by Dayton Duncan based on Country Music: A Film by Ken Burns
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol tells the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings and the rich musical heritage of artists like the Carter Family. Learn stories like theirs as you walk-in the footsteps of legends and discover songwriters along the Tennessee Music Pathways statewide.
Bluff City: The Secret Life of Photographer Ernest Withers by Preston Lauterbach
The Withers Collection Museum & Gallery, Dr. Withers’ last working studio on 333 Beale Street, houses 7,000 square feet of history, powerful images of key figures in the Civil Rights Movement, music, sports and African American life in Memphis.
Old Glory, From Salem to Nashville: The Life and Times of Patriot Captain William Driver
Historic Mansker’s Station in Goodlettsville is nationally recognized as a top living history site. Learn about the life of Captain Driver and his impact in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. The Bowen Plantation House and Kasper Mansker’s log station serve as a backdrop for daily presentations and special events.
Tennessee is the home of the blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly, and rock ‘n’ roll— delivering an unparalleled experience of beauty, history, and family adventure, infused with music, that creates a vacation that is the Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee. Explore more at their website and join other Tennessee travelers by following TNVacation on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube, and Snapchat.
