Marilyn Monroe Centenary Exhibitions and Reading List in London
To mark one hundred years since the birth of Marilyn Monroe, London hosts centenary exhibitions, screenings, and events dedicated to the Hollywood icon. Beyond her public image, Monroe was a dedicated reader who owned over 400 books at the time of her death in 1962. Her personal library included works by James Joyce, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Kahlil Gibran, which she annotated, carried in her car, and discussed publicly.

Visitors in London can explore these literary connections alongside local events and bookshops. Specific editions highlighted in her reading list include:

Ulysses by James Joyce, released in 1922 and published by Penguin Books at £12.99. Monroe was famously photographed reading this novel on a Long Island beach in 1955.
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, released in 1880 and available from Penguin Books for £10.99. Monroe famously campaigned to play the character Grushenka in a film adaptation.
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, released in 1923 and published by Penguin Books at £8.99, which Monroe described as a pattern for everyday living.
Gail Crowther's book Marilyn and Her Books: The Literary Life of Marilyn Monroe, published by Corsair, further explores the library and literary friendships behind her collection.

