5 Of The Best Books Named After Taylor Swift Songs That Demand To Be On Your TBR

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Pop star Taylor Swift is well known for the way she packs her songs with literary references. In 2016, she confessed that she could imagine herself as an English teacher, and that passion clearly impacts her songwriting. From "The Great Gatsby" to "Alice in Wonderland," fans have long noted the allusions to classic novels that pop up throughout her lyrics. Swift herself has admitted to taking inspiration directly from books. "When I was reading 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier ... there was a part of me that was relating to that because at some point in my life I've felt way," she told Apple Music, explaining the genesis of her 2020 song "tolerate it."

But it turns out the inspiration goes both ways, since plenty of contemporary novels owe their themes, characters, or even titles to Swift's lyrics. That means, as a fan of Swift's music, you can pick up a book that gives "The Life of a Showgirl" energy or select a romance novel based on your favorite Swift album. Or, you can go beyond vibes and grab a book that's been named after a Swift song.

This unique novel shares a name with a song from Taylor Swift's 2012 album "Red." Like Swift's single, "Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Sophie Gonzales is the story of an awful ex-boyfriend, but it finds a charming buoyancy in its form. Here, that levity comes from the novel's reality television plot. Skye Kaplan and Maya are both recruited to appear on a "The Bachelor"-style television show, where they compete to win back the affections of their celebrity ex, Jordy. But when they begin to feel an attraction to each other, this love story takes a delightful sapphic turn. It's a great read, whether you already know you like queer romance novels or you're looking for a diverse romance book to broaden your reading horizons.

"Never Ever Getting Back Together" garnered 3.63 stars on Goodreads and earned a nomination for Reader's Favorite Young Adult Fiction in 2023. Readers loved the playful plot, fun side characters, and reality TV concept. "I always praise the way Gonzales' ability to craft characters who aren't perfect and often make flawed choices, but having the reader always understand exactly where they are coming from so it's impossible to be entirely frustrated," wrote one Goodreads user. "This is definitely true here. Both Maya and Skye are well rounded, their perspectives and emotions explored in depth."

The title isn't the only thing that this 2019 Brigid Kemmerer read has in common with a track from Taylor Swift's 2017 album "Reputation." The novel has clear parallels to the song, which celebrates a love that unfolds in secret, insulated from the tempest of Swift's 2016 cancellation. In Kemmerer's book, high schooler Rob is socially ostracized because of his dad's crimes. Isolated and uncertain, he builds an unlikely connection with Maegan, who's grappling with a heavy family secret.

"Call It What You Want" is a unique romance novel depicting the special kind of bond that only happens when two people are disillusioned by status games. Goodreads reviewers assigned it 4.01 stars, praising its fast pacing and nuanced characters. "This book showed how easy it is to misunderstand a person or situation and how important it is to hear information straight from the source's mouth before judging or jumping to conclusions," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "There are two sides to every story and things may not always be as they first appear."

Alissa DeRogatis' 2023 "Call It What You Want" captures the unique emotional experience of unofficial relationships. It also has the same name as the tender, romantic track on Taylor Swift's 2017 album "Reputation," a song that depicts a private love without the hallmarks of a traditional relationship. When New York writer Sloane winds up in an undefined relationship with Brady, she finds herself on an emotional rollercoaster that upends her life.

Readers noted the book's authentic storytelling and original characters, rating it 3.35 stars on Goodreads. The power of DeRogatis' narrative emerges from her ability to depict how unofficial romantic relationships often have the greatest impact on our lives. "What I appreciated most about this book was its emotional honesty," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "The 'situationship' dynamic feels real — the uncertainty, the hope, and the heartbreak are relatable. Sloane's journey toward understanding what she truly deserves and valuing herself resonates deeply."

A young woman tries to find her footing after her boyfriend commits suicide in "This Is Me Trying." In the wake of such a devastating loss, Beatriz slowly begins to reconnect with her ex-boyfriend Santiago, piecing back together a friendship and maybe more. It's only natural that such a nuanced story shares its title with one of Taylor Swift's more delicate, complicated songs. Swift's song is told from the POV of someone who harms someone they care about, despite good intentions, and that theme is present in this 2024 novel, as Santiago tries to rebuild his bond with Beatriz after a betrayal.

"This Is Me Trying" earned 4.04 stars on Goodreads, with readers particularly highlighting its gentle treatment of difficult topics and rich, complicated characters. "An incredibly tender coming-of-age story written with immense care," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "Gorgeous, gorgeous prose and gut punch emotion, the characters feel devastatingly real. They will be on my mind forever ..."

Emma Lord's 2023 novel, "Begin Again," gets its title from a song off the 2012 Taylor Swift album "Red," about rediscovering love after shattering heartbreak. The novel is set at a university where Andie finds herself caught between her long-term boyfriend and her new resident advisor. But "Begin Again" is more than just a romance novel, since it also deals with rebuilding life after a major setback. Andie's new life at school is re-energizing for more than just her love life.

Reviewers on Goodreads awarded the book 3.68 stars, praising its warm tone and engaging plot. Bonus for Swift fans: the title isn't the only reference to the pop star, and the novel contains plenty of other allusions to her music. "It was such an adorably sweet read with an amazing, slow burn romance and early 00s teen rom-com/ Taylor Swift vibes that I couldn't get enough of," wrote one Goodreads reviewer.

Several factors were taken into consideration to determine the best books named after Taylor Swift songs. Books were disqualified if they were published before the release of the corresponding song, to foreground novels that could credibly have been named after the song itself. Books named after Swift lyrics, rather than specific song titles, were also not considered. Additionally, books that were sequels or later installments in a series were not included, on the basis that they might not stand on their own. After that, books were ranked based on a combination of total number of Goodreads reviews, star rating, and community ranking on the "Taylor Swift Song Titles" Goodreads list.