This biographical exploration of Taylor Swift’s career, which delves into the genre defying pop star’s own Mythos and meteoric rise to fame (via her songs and live performances), is an absolute must read for Swifties.

Written by Rollingstone Journalist, Rob Sheffield (who has documented her career from the very start), we explore his personal experiences, anecdotes and music analysis of Taylor’s work. Which is just as much an exploration into his own love and personal history with Swift’s music as it is about Swift herself. 

As someone who’s been a fan of Taylor since I was 15 (I’m 31 now), I found this a wonderfully nostalgic trip through her career (and music repertoire), that really gave me a new appreciation for the unique way she has handled her career. In an industry that has historically loved to put a shelf life on female pop stars, I loved seeing the ways Taylor has “broken” the rules and paved the way for a new whole generation of starlets (who have begun to sweep the charts themselves.)

The fact that Rob Sheffield writes so passionately and enthusiastically about Taylor’s music makes this all the more enjoyable. And, with comparisons and references as eclectic as Emily Dickinson, Madonna and (surprising of all) Morrissey —there’s a lot of interesting tidbits and music history for fans to consume. 

Spanning every era of Taylor’s music career, the inspiration that may have inspired her songs and the musical greats that came before. This was a fun and rather nostalgic read that Swifties (or the loved ones of a Swiftie) should definitely consider picking up.

And, a huge thank you to Rachel Quin and HQ/ HarperCollins UK for the finished copy.