Books for Every Taylor Era
“Words can break someone into a million pieces, but they can also put them back together.”
I don’t know about you, but it’s a good time to be a Swiftie. We’ve entered a new era, and after four years, we’re finally getting another tour! I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve always thought that there’s a Taylor Swift era for everyone, just like there’s a book for everyone. So, I figured I’d pick a book recommendation for each era to celebrate.
A note about my process, I only picked books that I’ve read before because I don’t think I can recommend books I haven’t read, which means certain eras were a challenge. I’ll also note that I became a fan during 1989—though I’ve loved Taylor’s version of Fearless and Red—so there are some albums I’m less familiar with as well. That’s all to say that this is just for fun and I mostly based my decisions off of ~vibes~.
Enjoy!
Taylor Swift: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I’ll be honest, I’m the least familiar with this album since I didn’t become a fan until 1989. The two songs that I remember are “Our Song” and “Tear Drops on My Guitar,” both of which are songs about songs. So, I figured I’d pick a book about music, and here we have Daisy Jones & The Six. I know, it’s a stretch.
But also, this book is about honing a craft, falling in love and getting heartbroken, so maybe fans of this album will also like this book.
Fearless: Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore
When I think of Fearless, I think of springtime and up-and-down romances that simultaneously drive you crazy and sweep you off your feet. This romance is that. It also embodies the album title since a major plot point follows England’s women’s suffrage movement, which was pretty fearless if you ask me.
Speak Now: Looking for Alaska by John Green
I don’t know Taylor personally, but I feel like she was the type of teen who would love John Green novels. Every time a lead meets “the girl” who inevitably changes everything, “Enchanted” should be playing in the background. His books are also poignant stories about young love and tragic loss, something both fans of Looking for Alaska and Speak Now will relate to.
Red: Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering
To truly embody Red, we need a book that destroys people, and for a lot of people, that book is Tell Me Lies, especially since the TV show was recently released. My experience reading this book and listening to Red (Taylor’s Version) for the first time are very similar, heartbreaking and a little too real.
1989: In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
I knew with this one, we need to find a NYC novel, and I always think of this one. I also think people who like interesting storytelling will like both 1989 and In Five Years. First and foremost, this book is about friendship, something that Taylor really searched for during this era of her life.
Honorable Mention: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald because it’s also a classic NYC novel, and similar to 1989, it features a life-changing car crash.
Reputation: One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
I had so many options for this one! Reputation is one of Taylor’s more complex albums, since it was marketed as a work of revenge, but it’s also one of her more intimate ones, especially the songs about her falling in love after feeling broken. I think One of Us is Lying fits the vibe the best, since I thought I was picking up an average thriller set in a high school, but it ended up being about so much more than the mystery.
Honorable Mention: I also think Atonement by Ian McEwen is a good match.
Lover: Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
For me, Lover is the album of the summer, and Seven Days in June by Tia Williams is an incredible summer romance. Both are also not completely smooth sailing. Taylor begins to open up about her insecurities, while the characters of this novel are dealing with challenges of their own.
Honorable Mention: Book Lovers by Emily Henry because it’s in the name!
Folklore: The Shadow of the Wind
It’s only fair that I pair up my favorite Taylor Swift album with one of my all-time favorite books. Both are nostalgic, atmospheric and beautifully written. People who love Taylor’s storytelling will also love this book about a library of lost books and the adventures and romance that come from it.
Evermore: Landline by Rainbow Rowell
If you’re looking for more nostalgia and heartbreak just in time for the holidays, look no further. I loved the character details in both Evermore and Landline, and I think people who enjoy the complex storytelling in one will enjoy the other.
Honorable Mention: Rebecca, since it inspired “Tolerate It.”
Midnights: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This pairing inspired this entire list, since I read The Night Circus soon before Midnights came out. It’s a story about doomed love, magic and very late nights, similar to Taylor’s most recent release. While it is a whimsical novel, it also has its darker themes.
There you have it! I hope this was as fun for you as it was for me. What are your Taylor Swift pairings?
