Written by: Abbie Alonzo
Knowing somebody’s favorite movie, song, or book can tell you a lot about how they think and what inspires them. In the case of Taylor Swift, books are a huge source of enjoyment and inspiration. Let’s take a dive into Taylor’s mind and get to know her seven favorite books! 📚
1. Furious Love
Taylor’s first literary pick is Furious Love by Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger. This is a biography that tells of the love shared between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Meeting in the 1960’s, the two hit it off and set the scene for a chaotic love story for decades to come. The couple was married, divorced, and then married again, sharing a whirlwind of a relationship that speculators say could have been the inspiration for “Wildest Dreams.” 👀
2. The Hunger Games
Taylor also found a connection to The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, writing “Eyes Open” and “Safe and Sound” for the movie adaptation of this 2012 trilogy. Taylor explained how she wrote these songs from the point of view of the main character, Katniss Everdeen. “Safe and Sound” is meant to appeal more to the empathetic, caring side of Katniss that Taylor admires. Inspiration is drawn from the compassion she has for other characters like Primrose, Rue, and Peeta. Alternatively, “Eyes Open” is written as a means to defy and stand up against the Capitol. These two songs represent the duality of Katniss Everdeen, and Taylor LOVED writing from these points of view! She shared that the authenticity of the story really drew her in and made her want to write for the soundtrack! 🖤
3. Eat Pray Love
Another book you can find atop Taylor Swift’s bookshelf is Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. This captivating memoir shares one woman’s journey to find herself after hitting a low point in life. She journeys through Italy, India, and Indonesia in attempts to reconcile with and fully love herself again. Taylor shares that this self discovery book is one of her favorites! ✨
4. Charlotte’s Web
The next book Taylor has recommended is Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. This is a classic children’s book, but with the recurring themes of self-confidence, trust, and friendship, it is one of Taylor’s favorites! The purity of this book resonates with audiences old and young, and it is no wonder Taylor recommends this book. 🐷
5. Stargirl
Staying on par with childrens’ books, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is about a girl who never quite fit in with those around her. She very much exists in her own lane and embraces her differences. Taylor expresses that she loves the message of staying true to yourself, no matter what others might think or say. By being your own person and doing what makes you happy, you are allowing yourself the freedom of expression without worrying about acceptance. This book spreads an important message to readers everywhere! ⭐️
6. Conversations with Friends
Up next on Taylor’s book list is Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney. This book centers around friends sharing their lives and the experiences of the human condition. Taylor has expressed how much she likes this book, saying, “ [I] like the tone [Rooney] takes when she’s writing, I think it’s like being in somebody’s mind.” This book is in the process of being turned into a series and will star none other than Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. How perfect is that? 😍
7. The Beautiful and Damned
The last book that Taylor recommends is The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Taylor is a huge fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novels, often making references in her music to The Great Gatsby. Fans pick up on the way she has adopted aspects of Fitzgerald’s writing techniques in her own work, such as experimenting with character writing. In relation to The Beautiful and Damned in particular, some ties between it and “Blank Space” are apparent. From the setting and aesthetic of the video, to lines like “new money, suit and tie,” we can see similarities to this 1922 novel about a young couple in New York living loud and lavishly. The way Taylor draws inspiration from Fitzgerald is so beautiful and unique! 🏙
Thanks to Taylor Swift, we cannot wait to curl up with one of these acclaimed books! Whether Taylor has resonated with the message of a book, or pulls inspiration from it, books play a big role in her life and creative process. Being able to get to know the books that have helped shape our Queen Taylor, is such a great opportunity to better understand the singer we love so much and expand our home libraries! 😊
If you want to get more involved in fan communities,
join a Fan Crew or our awesome weekly newsletter!