It’s Taylor Swift’s world, and we’re just living in it. In 2023, Taylor Swift kicked off her world tour, “The Eras Tour” and released a concert movie. Below, I have suggested books that I think Swifties would enjoy based on their favorite of her 10 albums.
Taylor Swift
Fans of Swift’s self-titled debut album are classic, country, and full of girl power. Outlawed is a feminist’s Wild West story. 17 year old Ada leaves her husband at the altar and joins up with a famous outlaw gang, only to be sucked into a plan that may get the whole gang, and herself, killed. Anyone wanting a thrilling new take on an old, formerly male-dominated genre should pick up Anna North’s spectacular novel.
Fearless (Taylor’s version)
Fans of Fearless love a good, passionate, potentially toxic, romance. To quote Swift, “I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain, and it’s 2 AM and I’m cursing your name.” Happy Place features a classic exes to lovers story set in multiple timelines, one from the present, after the breakup, and one from the past when the couple was together. Set against the backdrop of a gorgeous town in Maine and heartwarming friendships, Happy Place is the perfect book to read if you want a passionate make up and a sweet story of found family.
Speak now (taylor’s version)
During the release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version), Swift described the album as being “about the whims, fantasies, heartaches, dramas and tragedies [she] lived out as a young woman between 18 and 20.” Reading this excerpt reminded me heavily of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. This classic novel, originally released in 1847, follows a young Jane as she grows up in England. Beginning while she’s a child living in her aunt’s house and ending once she’s grown and part of a passionate romance, Jane Eyre is perfect for Speak Now fans wanting to read more about girlhood and growing up.
Red (taylor’s version)
Red (Taylor’s Version) is a heart wrenching, poetic, breakup album. Bellies is a heart wrenching, poetic, break up book. 1 + 1 = 2. Bellies is a queer romance following a trans woman in a relationship before and after she comes out and how that impacts her and her gay boyfriend. Nicola Dinan is a fabulous writer, and this book is one of my favorites I have read thus far in my life.
1989 (taylor’s version)
1989 (Taylor’s Version) fans should pick up Funny You Should Ask immediately. 1989 is all about friends, fun, and being free. Those who are familiar with Taylor Swift lore may also know that this album is rumored to be about Harry Styles. In Funny You Should Ask, Chani is a struggling journalist when she scores the chance of a lifetime interviewing a gorgeous, kind, and very famous actor, Gabe Parker. They spend one passionate night together before they don’t speak again for years. Chani becomes (somewhat) famous from the piece she publishes, and Gabe moves on with his life. A decade later when Gabe reaches a rough spot in his career, the two are forced to reunite and Chani is asked to write a positive piece on him. Set against the backdrop of Hollywood, celebrity parties, and everything glamorous, Funny You Should Ask is a heartwarming book that 1989 stans will love.
reputation
Reputation was an album about Swift coming back from the hate she received from the 2016 “#TaylorSwiftIsOverParty” debacle. Fans of Reputation love seeing Swift take back her life and setting the story straight. In The Woman In Me, by famous actor Britney Spears, Spears sets the story straight about her life and her conservatorship. As an added bonus, Spears recently posted throwback pictures with Swift and recalled the first time they met, describing Swift as “the most iconic pop woman of our generation.”
lover
Lover fans are self explanatory. They’re romantics and love all things love. What better book to read than a classic? The Notebook is one of the most iconic “chick flicks,” so why not finally pick up the book? And if you haven’t seen the movie…are you even alive? 2004 Ryan Gosling, baby.
FOlklore
folklore fans love a good story. Swift’s album features a fictional love triangle between characters Betty, Augustine, and James (which are named after Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’s kids btw). Anxious People stars 8 strangers who come together while viewing an apartment. This novel is funny, which is something I don’t normally consider folklore to be, but the shifting perspectives and meaningful insights on humanity has major Swift energy.
Evermore
Similarly to folklore, evermore is also an album that tells a fictional story. Typically regarded as sister album to folklore, these fans may intersect more than other albums. Conversations With Friends has beautiful prose and wonderful writing of the complexities of human relationships. The main character, Frances, has major “tolerate it” energy. Side note: Nick’s actor seems familiar?
Midnights
Midnights is all about reflection. Swift described this album as being about “13 sleepless nights” throughout her life. While Midnights gives me winter vibes, I think One Italian Summer captures the aspect of reflection on life beautifully. Katy, the main character, leaves on a trip for Italy after her mom dies. To her surprise, Katy finds her mother, young and not-yet-her-mother, in Italy. Her mother has no memory of who Katy is and has no clue what Katy has been through. Katy proceeds to spend her trip spending time with her mother and gets to know her in a way that she hadn’t as her child. While heartbreaking, this novel is a delicate and beautiful insight into mother daughter relationships.