Book Recommendations For Songs on Taylor Swift's Midnights

Taylor Swift has always been recognized for her storytelling, but if you're interested in finding a more in-depth story based off of one of her songs, this list might be for you!

You're On Your Own, Kid

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling follows a young protagonist as he faces challenges that make him feel isolated and angry with his circumstances. He feels alone with the fate that he has been given and the horrors that await him each day. However, the story is laced with strong friendships that help Harry conquer his fears and grow. Ron and Hermione help him through everything and show him that even though he practically has no family, he is not alone. In Taylor Swift's "You're On Your Own, Kid" she reflects on how she's spent her whole life trying to make her dreams come true on her own before she concludes on an inspirational note telling listeners to savor good friendships and assures them by saying "You've got no reason to be afraid" and "you can face this."

Labyrinth

In Turtles All the Way Down by John Green, Aza struggles with anxiety and OCD. The novel depicts her constant fear in a vivid and emotional way. In Labyrinth, Swift expresses how she feels "Lost in the labyrinth of my mind." This lyric perfectly encapsulates the anxiety that torments Aza throughout the story.

Mastermind

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald perfectly showcases the spirit of Taylor Swift's new song "Mastermind." Jay Gatsby spends years working his way up in society in order to become the kind of rich, luxurious man that his childhood love Daisy would fall for. With lines like "What if I told you None of it was accidental" and "What if I told you I'm a mastermind And now you're mine," Swift describes the dynamic between Gatsby and Daisy perfectly. Gatsby concocted a plan to win her over and made it seem effortless.

Bigger Than The Whole Sky

Swift's "Bigger Than The Whole Sky" depicts the devastation of grief, and many fans relate the song to loss or death. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green follows two teens who fall in love in the midst of their battles with cancer. In this song Taylor says "Did some force take you because I didn't pray? / Every single thing to come has turned into ashes." The song intricately describes the devastation that is caused by events such as those in John Green's novel.

Would've, Could've, Should've

In "Would've, Could've, Should've" Taylor reflects on a gut-wrenching traumatic relationship that still haunts her a decade later. Throughout the Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo, the antagonist both manipulates the narrator Alina and plays a hand in orchestrating an event that would traumatize her best friend Genya for years to come. Taylor admits that "Memories feel like weapons" in her song, which directly correlates to the way Genya admits feeling later in the series.

Taylor Swift's new album Midnights showcases her storytelling in new and innovative ways. However, if you're looking for a bit of a longer tale to digest, I would suggest looking into some of these novels!