NOT THAT FANCY

Lessons for the simple life from the country music star.

A longtime resident of Nashville, McEntire (b. 1955) grew up in rural Oklahoma. Following her mother’s death at the beginning of the pandemic, she returned to her home state to spend time reconnecting with her family. In this coffee-table book, which contains dozens of full-color photos and sidebars (“Clothes Every Cowgirl Should Own,” “Bring the Outside In”), the author reflects on that time, memories of her childhood, and her professional career as a musician, actor, retailer, and restaurateur. Throughout, she also includes numerous recipes, including “wild west” chili, chicken-fried steak, fried green tomatoes, and her “hands-down” personal favorite, pinto beans and cornbread. In addition to music and food, Christian faith is an important theme. “On the ranch,” she writes, “we make it a point to put God first, take care of our families, work hard, eat well, and always make time for a good, hearty laugh….Okies know that the secret to a good life is to keep things simple and be thankful for the things the good Lord’s given you.” In that vein, McEntire shares her favorite religious songs and gives advice about talking to God. She offers lighthearted lifestyle tips, including how to talk like a native Oklahoman or approximate her signature hairstyles. As McEntire notes, she couldn’t have achieved her level of success alone. To that end, she presents guidance received from her family and friends, including what she learned from the women who came before her in country music, and she is candid about the difficulties she had to overcome as a female singer. While McEntire’s advice is relatable, the text leans heavily toward self-promotion and marketing of her brand, reducing the feel of sincerity. Garth Brooks provides the foreword.

Down-home, straightforward guidance that will appeal most to McEntire fans and the HGTV set.