Discover Your Next Favorite Book Based on Your Favorite Taylor Swift Album

By Jools Dembo

It’s officially summer which can only mean one thing: It’s time to lay on the beach with a book in your hand. The only problem is deciding which book to pick up. Decision paralysis can have you staring at your bookshelf forever, wasting valuable time that you could be soaking up the UV rays. To make things a bit easier, make a different decision: Which Taylor Swift album is your favorite?

Taylor Swift:

If debut is your favorite, pick up the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver and enter the world of the Eaton family. These cowboy romances absolutely scream the debut era. Each book of the series follows a different Eaton brother and their love story. The world that Silver has created is one that will keep your eyes glued to the page, and your heart fluttering.

Fearless:

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune embodies so much of the Fearless era. Taking place over 12 years, we follow along as Percy and Sam become friends as children, to lovers as young adults, to strangers later on. This second chance romance is a perfect beach read for Fearless lovers, gorgeously showcasing the love between the two main characters.

Speak Now:

There is something about Speak Now that just screams fairytale. Maybe it’s the poetic lyrics of Long Live or Enchanted but if you love Swift’s third album, you need to read Mountains Made of Glass by Scarlett St. Clair. A retelling of Beauty and the Beast, this novel has action, romance, and world building that any Speak Now fan will enjoy. At only 219 pages, it is the perfect fantasy novel for the beach.

Red:

Oh, Red. The album that brought us iconic songs like the 10 minute version of All Too Well and Taylor’s own recording of Better Man. Nothing sums up the tumultuous love affair that served as this album’s inspiration like Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings. Following the toxic relationship of Magnolia Parks and B.J. Ballentine, their story is full of ups, downs, new romances, and finding their way back to each other. 

1989:

Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino is the book to pick up if you are a 1989 fan. Another second chance romance, this book begins when our two main characters move to New York to attend NYU. An emotional yet uplifting story, this novel will transport you to New York City and have you singing Welcome to New York at the top of your lungs.

Reputation:

If Reputation was a book, it would be They Never Learn by Layne Fargo. A dark academia thriller with murder and power, They Never Learn is a gripping novel that will have you fully in your Reputation era. 

Lover:

It would be a disservice to yourself if you are a Lover fan and have never read an Emily Henry book. All five of her novels perfectly capture the playful and romantic spirit of the album. Every single novel that Henry has written is summery, swoon-worthy, and is essential reading for all Lover fans. 

Folklore:

One thing that stands out from the album Folklore is the fictional love triangle between Betty, James, and Augustine that is told in the songs Cardigan, Betty, and August. Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid has one of the best written love triangles in recent fiction. The interview style of the book also makes it a perfect beach read. If you’ve already read this one, try One True Loves by Reid for another incredibly crafted love triangle. 

Evermore:

Evermore has many songs with different personalities, much like the protagonists in Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors. In this novel, the 3 Blue sisters reconnect with each other following a devastating loss. Each sister has a distinct personality and life but the way that they all intertwine is beautifully written.

Midnights:

Astrid Sees All by Natalie Standiford will transport you to New York in the 1980s where Phoebe Hayes becomes a fortune teller at a nightclub. The energy of this book is dazzling and energetic, much like many of the songs on Midnights.

The Tortured Poets Department:

Good Material by Dolly Alderton is the perfect reading companion to Swift’s latest record. Following 35 year old Andy in the months after his girlfriend Jen breaks up with him. Throughout the course of the novel, we see Andy try to make peace with the situation. 

Alright, now stop staring at your bookshelf. Grab something and get outside!

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