Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, is filled with songs about the beauty of finding true love after heartbreak, the one that got away far too soon, reclaiming your power, and the darker, uglier side of fame. Looking to pick up a book that will make you feel like your favorite track? Well, look no further because we’ve compiled a list of 12 literary pairings that will perfectly match the essence of each and every song. Whether you’re looking for something spicy, a second-chance romance, or a tale of showgirl’s past, these books are sure to dazzle you.
The Fate of Ophelia — Ophelia by Lisa Klein
In this infectious, catchy album opener, Taylor reimagines the unfortunate fate of Shakespeare’s gothic heroine, Ophelia. The song asks listeners, “What if Ophelia escaped her own demise?” The Fate of Ophelia is all about changing your prophecy, rewriting your own narrative, and refusing to be doomed by it. This song perfectly aligns with Ophelia by Lisa Klein, a spellbinding, ambitious retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This reimagining puts Ophelia front and center, and a thrilling story of falling in love, self-discovery, and finding inner-strength to rewrite her own fate ensues. It’s a novel that ties in with the track’s themes of reclaiming your power and retells the story of one of the most heralded heroines in literary history.
“Daughter of a nobleman
Ophelia lived in fantasy
But love was a cold bed full of scorpions
The venom stole her sanity”
Taylor Swift, The Fate of Ophelia
Elizabeth Taylor — The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Elizabeth Taylor is a love song that is told through the lens of one of Old Hollywood’s most iconic, cerebral actresses — Elizabeth Taylor, of course. Known for her bold beauty and style, love affairs that were nothing short of cinematic, and a complex yet utterly charming persona, it’s no surprise that Liz Taylor has gone down in history as one of the Golden Age of Hollywood’s most iconic figures. And, it comes as no surprise that our favorite pop showgirl has taken some serious inspiration from her! Littered with meditations on the pitfalls of celebrity and the inability to balance true romance with fame, this track completely embodies Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. This mesmerizing historical fiction novel takes readers on an unforgettable journey through Old Hollywood film star Evelyn Hugo’s illustrious career. Complete with tales of unexpected friendships she forged along the way, a forbidden romance that still haunts her, and her seven highly publicized marriages, this novel will echo Elizabeth Taylor vibes long after the song ends.
“All my white diamonds, and lovers are forever
In the papers, on the screen, and in their minds”
Taylor Swift, Elizabeth Taylor
Opalite — Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
This upbeat, melodic song is all about rediscovering the harmonious and gentle feeling that comes with falling into a healthy romance — with someone you never expected, when you least expected it. Part of Your World echoes Opalite’s themes of unexpected love and the joy that it brings. In this novel, wealthy city-girl Alexis Montgomery falls for Daniel Grant, a small-town carpenter, who also happens to be ten years younger than her. Despite their differences, Alexis and Daniel’s chemistry is undeniable, and while it feels impossible to bring Daniel into her world, Alexis refuses to give up the joy their romance has brought her. Filled with warmth and humor, this romantic read will make you feel as good as having Opalite on repeat does.
“And why don’t we try to love love?
We give it all we got”
Taylor Swift, Opalite
Father Figure — Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh
Father Figure is one of the more dramatic, sweeping songs from The Life of a Showgirl. The song itself is about power dynamics between mentors and their protegés, the predatory exploitation young artists face from scheming record executives, and being able to become your own father figure. Renée Ahdieh’s enthralling debut novel, Park Avenue, follows Jia Song, an ambitious Korean lawyer who has been given the assignment of a lifetime: repair the scandal-smeared image of the billionaire Park family and protect their legacy and fortune. As Jia sorts through the Parks’ scandals, lies, and bad behavior, she soon discovers that the Parks are hiding secrets dark enough to threaten their “good” name. Park Avenue perfectly pairs with Father Figure, as it echoes the song’s themes of betrayal, deceit, and portrayal of power dynamics.
“Who covered up your scandals?
Mistake my kindness for weakness and find your card cancelled
I was your father figure, you pulled the wrong trigger
This empire belongs to me”
Taylor Swift, Father Figure
Eldest Daughter — Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein
Taylor Swift is notorious for having her fifth tracks wrapped up in vulnerability, and Eldest Daughter is no exception. This mellow and sensitive song explores the emotional weight that eldest siblings — specifically eldest daughters — carry. The sibling dynamic between the Lowe sisters, Mia and Cricket, in Beck Dorey-Stein’s Spectacular Things, perfectly mirrors Eldest Daughter. This heartfelt story follows Mia and Cricket as they come of age, discover their ambitions, and are faced with the toughest choice of all: How much are they willing to sacrifice to achieve the lives of their dreams? And, when does unwavering sibling loyalty turn suffocating?
“Every eldest daughter was the first lamb to the slaughter
So we all dressed up as wolves and looked fire”
Taylor Swift, Eldest Daughter
Ruin The Friendship — If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio
Ruin The Friendship is a touching love song with a tragic plot twist. The song follows a romance that never got to be because neither party wanted to ruin the friendship. Then, it’s revealed in the third verse that one of them has passed away, and so the chance to be together has been entirely slashed. In M. L. Rio’s If We Were Villains, we follow the sweeping tale of Oliver Marks and his close-knit group of Shakespearean actor friends facing their greatest role yet: playing innocent when one of their own winds up dead. Next to the murder at hand, the novel features missed chances at true love, forbidden and tumultuous pairings, and romantic rivalries between close friends that tie in perfectly with this track.
“But I whispered at the grave
‘Should’ve kissed you anyway’”
Taylor Swift, Ruin The Friendship
Actually Romantic — Hotter in the Hamptons by Tinx
Actually Romantic serves as a “clap-back” to people who, despite expressing their disinterest in you, are still the first to scrutinize and comment on your every move. It’s a song about one person’s toxic obsession turning into toxic affection. Swifties across social media platforms have also theorized the song as being a bratty diss track aimed at another popstar — but that’s an article for another time.
Tinx’s Hotter in the Hamptons practically mirrors Actually Romantic. This novel follows Lola, a New York City it-girl, who has lost her good reputation, boyfriend, followers, and designer wardrobe because of a very public screw-up. Next to that, a culture critic by the name of Aly Ray Carter publishes an exposé that appears to be the final nail in the coffin of Lola’s career. However, when Lola and Aly find themselves vacationing in the Hamptons at the same time, the heat is on — literally and figuratively. Packed with sexual tension, steam, and wit, Hotter in the Hamptons will show readers that any rivalry can actually be romantic.
“All the effort you’ve put in
It’s actually romantic
I really gotta hand it to you
No man has ever loved me like you do”
Taylor Swift, Actually Romantic
Wi$h Li$t — We’ll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
Wi$h Li$t is a sweet song about all of the different kinds of hopes, dreams, and wishes people have, and how we all hope to get what we truly want in our lives. In the chorus, Taylor tells us about her own “wish list,” which includes settling down and having a couple of kids with her partner. Taylor might as well have been describing Isabel “Belly” Conklin’s own “wish list” in this track’s chorus. In the third and final installment of The Summer I Turned Pretty series, Belly and the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah, are practically all grown up. But, when Belly and Jeremiah announce their plans to wed, Conrad realizes he must finally confess his love for Belly, and Belly must be honest about what she actually wants and who her heart truly belongs to — before it’s far too late.
“Boss up, settle down, got a wish list
I just want you”
Taylor Swift, Wi$h Li$t
Wood — Sparks Fly by Zakiya N. Jamal
This funk-infused, flirtatious track is littered with cheeky innuendos and playful double entendres about the newfound confidence someone feels when they’ve found the right romantic partner. Zakiya N. Jamal’s Sparks Fly pairs perfectly with this song, as the story follows Max and Stella, two strangers who meet at a sex club party, who part ways after not being able to take things “all the way.” That is, until Max and Stella become coworkers. Despite these conflicting circumstances, their captivating chemistry, magnetic attraction, and endless similarities keep pulling them back together. This upcoming spicy novel from Zakiya N. Jamal exudes the same playful, confident energy as Wood.
“His love was the key that opened my thighs”
Taylor Swift, Wood
CANCELLED! — Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman
CANCELLED! is an anthem for anyone who has ever been a victim of cancel culture, and standing by your friends when they have been, well, cancelled. This song is also the central anthem of Joni and Bess, the two main characters in Ella Berman’s Before We Were Innocent. In this thrilling novel, while vacationing in Greece, Joni and Bess are accused of their friend Evangeline’s death. While they were never convicted and ultimately set free, their case caused a media frenzy and led to the girls’ lives being ripped apart in the public eye. A decade later, Joni reappears on Bess’ doorstep, asking for an unsavory favor, which reignites their disastrous friendship. Packed with fraught friendships, raw portrayal of the perils of girlhood, and commentary on the unfair cruelty placed on teenage girls, Before We Were Innocent is the quintessential companion to CANCELLED!.
“At least you know exactly who your friends are
They’re the ones with matching scars”
Taylor Swift, CANCELLED!
Honey — Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight
This light and airy track explores how certain terms of endearment that are weaponized against us, or used sarcastically, can become redefined when they are used by the people we love the most. The warmth and sweetness of Honey pair up perfectly with Eliza Knight’s lovely, romantic novel, Confessions of a Grammar Queen. Set in 1960s New York City, this novel follows Bernadette Swift, a copyeditor at Lenox & Park Publishing. However, Bernadette does not intend to stay a copyeditor for the rest of her career — instead, she has her eyes on a better title: the first female CEO in the publishing world. As she navigates workplace sexism, a boorish and misogynistic boss, and jealous colleagues with their hearts set on sabotage, Bernadette is able to persevere thanks to her own determination, support from her book club besties, and a charming editor she’s completely fallen for. If Honey warmed your heart the most, then be sure to add Confessions of a Grammar Queen to your TBR!
“And when anyone called me ‘lovely’
They were finding ways not to praise me
But you say it like you’re in awe of me”
Taylor Swift, Honey
The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter) — The Roaring Days of Zora Lily by Noelle Salazar
The titular track not only brings together two of pop music’s showgirls, but the lyrics also weave together the rise and fall of a fictional showgirl named Kitty. To keep the vintage showgirl vibes going, get lost in Noelle Salazar’s epic novel, The Roaring Days of Zora Lily. This novel begins in 2023, when a costume conservator discovers the name “Zora Lily” hidden behind a label on a dress worn by Old Hollywood icon, Greta Garbo. Readers are then sent back in time to 1924, where we meet Zora Lily: a poverty-stricken seamstress who dreams of designing clothes for stars of the Jazz Age. When Zora is lured by her best friend to underground speakeasies, she is dazzled by their glitz, their glamorous haze, and Harley, a handsome businessman. However, Zora will soon learn that her ambitions come at a cost — and she may not ever know the life of a showgirl.
“You don’t know the life of a showgirl, babe
And you’re never gonna wanna”
Taylor Swift, The Life of a Showgirl
With Shakespearean reimaginings, bold and steamy love stories, second-chance romances, and showgirl sagas that will sweep you off your feet, there is a book for every track on The Life of a Showgirl. No matter what your favorite song off the album is, these books will keep the show-stopping energy going, even after the curtain on this era closes.
Looking for more Taylor Swift-inspired book recommendations? Check out our article, 11 Books to Read If You Love Taylor Swift’s Albums!
Find more books inspired by your favorite pop stars on our Books for the Pop Girlies bookshelf on our Bookshop!
