Unless you have been living in a strict digital detox and have avoided all social media platforms in the last month (honestly, that sounds rather blissful, no judgement), then you have most likely heard that Taylor Swift has announced her 12th album, The Life of A Showgirl, to be released today, on October 3rd.
As the in-house Swifties of the ABC, our Naomi and Damla spent several hours looking back on Taylor Swift’s discography and listened to all of her albums (for research purposes only, you understand) to recreate the musical journey of the pop giant in literary form. An Eras Tour of bookish vibes, if you will.
So, as the countdown for one of the most notable albums of 2025 approaches its end, please enjoy our book picks that best pair with the vibes of each Taylor Swift album.
Taylor Swift (2006)
Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Erin Hahn
If it is a healthy dose of country romance you are looking for, this book has all that and more of what Taylor Swift’s debut has to offer: teens discovering who they are, stepping outside of their comfort zone, and dreaming big.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
All about navigating relationships from crushes to first loves and first fights, Jenny Han captures the sweet hopefulness of falling in love during teenage years in the most heartwarming way.
Fearless (2008)
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
Much like Taylor’s second album, Hazelwood’s latest romance book features the pains of coming of age, learning to go after what you want fearlessly (ha!) and learning what it feels like to love and be loved.
Racing Hearts by Ann Adams
With her dreams of becoming an Olympic swimmer on the line, Kat is ready to be bold and chase after her dreams even if it means learning to love herself and be pushed outside of her comfort zone by her coach Adrian (who loves her exactly as she is).
This one hits the shelves in February 2026.
Speak Now (2010)
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
Irresistible attraction mixed with fear, obsession, and a feeling of a transgression being committed. Innocence lost as a consequence of exploring your own power and the power of love. Aciman’s story and Swift’s third album both jump head-first into adulthood through love.
Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter
Sparks Fly indeed in this sweet YA romance imbued with that epic, heart-fluttering emotional rollercoaster seen only in the best of romcoms. If you are a hopeless romantic chasing after that reckless grand gesture to steal your heart, this book is for you.
Red (2012)
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
Not only is this book’s cover beautifully fall-themed like the cover of the Red album, it also has that nostalgic vibe. Set in 1997, If It Makes You Happy is a cozy second-chance romance about finding love again after heartbreak.
XOXO by Axie Oh
When it comes to head-spinning romances that abruptly end in heartbreak, Axie Oh and Taylor Swift have plenty to share. XOXO is all about the highs and lows of love when you fall for the wrong person.
1989 (2014)
Time Loops and Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau
Very much in Taylor Swift’s style, Time Loops and Meet Cutes may be an uplifting summer-time love story appreciating the joys of falling in love itself, but it also has an unmistakable thread of sadness throughout.
In A New York Minute by Kate Spencer
Welcome to New York! In this optimistic romance filled with humor, Franny finds (much unexpected) love in the big city despite the odds.
Reputation (2017)
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Taylor’s Reputation album channels the opulent, hedonistic, reckless vibes of the Roaring 20’s. And no one does the Roaring 20’s like Fitzgerald. In this timeless classic as well as in this album, there is always a thin line between romance and tragedy, and love flirts with darkness and obsession.
Rumoured by Kelly Mancaruso
A world-famous pop-star, who is adored for “speaking to fans through her lyrics,” is arrested for murder. What follows is a captivating thriller that showcases an icon’s rise to fame – and the subsequent crash. Can it get more Reputation than that?
Lover (2019)
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Taylor Swift’s love for the UK meets Lover’s sweet romanticism in this international bestseller of a romcom. We could argue that any song on this album would go perfectly with this book, considering its stars are quite literally Mr. Americana and The Heartbreak Prince.
A Rare Find by Joanna Lowell
A Rare Find has that unmistakable bubbly, summery Lover feeling, with characters going from rivals-to-(heartwarmingly supportive) lovers in this humorous queer romance set in the Victorian times.
Folklore (2020)
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Introspective, bittersweet, dramatic and nostalgic, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo searches for the possibility of “that one great love” against all obstacles great fame presents.
Lost Souls Meet Under A Full Moon by Mizuki Tsujimura
Imbued with a whimsical feeling, Tsujimura’s latest book features a character who acts as a go-between for the living and the dead, showing glimpses of different lives and perspectives a la Folklore.
Evermore (2020)
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurrier
Not only was this book the inspiration for Tolerate It, it also sets the tone for the whole album with its gothic atmosphere, intense character studies, and haunting legacies.
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
A wintry setting, a mystery to solve, an underappreciated ex-wife, and plenty of pining. The perfect recipe for a romantic mystery and a Taylor Swift album!
Midnights (2022)
Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell
Full of intimacy and starkness that only comes in midnight ruminations, this poetry collection has hard-hitting but bite-sized thoughts about heartbreak, love, loss, and finding yourself. The poems are divided into sections for different moods, so you can find the right “track” for your needs.
Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis
Get ready to “root for the anti-hero” in this action-packed romance featuring a sexy space heist led by a master manipulator.
The Tortured Poets Department (2024)
Men To Avoid in Art and Life by Nicole Tersigni and Jen Kirkman
TTPD is a masterclass in reading men for filth, as is this little book. Both are made for facing the red flags face on, for those moments when you can only laugh in the face of audacity.
love is a slow burn by Aliza Grace
Centered on the heartbreak that comes with falling in and out of love, this emotionally charged, complex collection of poems are full of earnest vulnerability and bittersweet moments of healing.
The Life of a Showgirl (2025)
This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Although we don’t know much yet about the new album, the covers we have seen so far all seem to have a glamorous aesthetic straight out of the 1920s. Fitzgerald’s first novel that mixes glamor and champagne with the heartbreak of adulthood seems perfect to set the mood.
The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl by Lisa Hall
This award-winning murder mystery combines time travel with plenty of scandal, glamor, fame, and a touch of darkness.
