Taylor Swift has a way of turning emotions into anthems, and sometimes her lyrics feel like chapters of a novel. At The Bombay Circle Press, we couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if some of her most loved songs were paired with books you could actually read. The result is a list that blends music with stories you’ll want to dive into.
Cruel Summer – Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth
Set in 1990s Ireland, Sunburn follows Lucy, a girl who has always felt out of place in her small town. When a long, hot summer leads to an all-consuming love with her friend Susannah, Lucy finds herself torn between the safety of tradition and the risk of living honestly. Tender, atmospheric, and heartbreaking, this sapphic coming-of-age story is about first love, identity, and the weight of choices.
That’s why ‘Cruel Summer’ is the perfect match, both the book and the song are about the thrill and devastation of wanting something so fiercely, even when the world is against you.
Karma – Broken Mirrors, Split Salt, and a Lifetime of Bad Luck by Ellie Martin Mckinsey
Mallory has always been more than unlucky; she’s cursed. Bad luck follows her everywhere, from derailed college plans to mishaps that hurt anyone too close. Her only escape is gaming online with friends, until one of them convinces her to use her curse for good: sabotaging jerks on dating apps. Soon Mallory is stuck juggling chaos, a morally grey side hustle, and a boss who seems immune to her disasters.
Pair this with ‘Karma’ and you’ll see the connection instantly, a story about fate circling back, consequences catching up, and the surprising ways justice finds its mark.
You Belong With Me – What Are the Odds by Maddie Leigh
Grace Hughes leaves Australia for an exchange program in Philadelphia, desperate for a fresh start. She never expects to cross paths with Levi Holloway, the cocky hockey captain who bets he can make her fall for him. The catch? He didn’t plan on actually falling for her. Between sparks of romance, secrets, and the push-and-pull of trust, Grace has to decide whether love is worth the risk.
It’s the perfect book for ‘You Belong With Me’, both capture the sweetness of longing, the thrill of unexpected love, and the hope of being truly seen.
High School Romance – Collide by Bal Khabra
Summer Preston has her life mapped out: top grades, grad school, a future in sports psychology. Aiden Crawford only cares about hockey. When her professor forces her to study him for a project, their worlds crash together and sparks fly. What begins as banter and bickering soon turns into something much harder to ignore.
Taylor’s early songs about high school love echo this story perfectly. Collide is all about passion, rivalry, and the whirlwind of emotions that feel bigger than life when you’re young.
Style – Mile High by Liz Tomforde
Evan Zanders is the NHL’s bad boy; arrogant, magnetic, and irresistible to everyone except Stevie, the flight attendant who swore she’d never fall for another athlete. But as their road trips pile up, banter turns into attraction, and resisting him becomes harder than turbulence at 30,000 feet. Glamorous, fiery, and full of chemistry, Mile High is impossible to put down.
That’s exactly why it belongs with ‘Style’, sleek, addictive, and iconic, it’s the kind of romance you can’t help but get lost in.
Whether you’re in your Lover era or firmly planted in Reputation, there’s always a book that feels like a Taylor Swift lyric. Because honestly, Swifties get it: life is better when it feels like a story you can sing along to. If you are looking for your next read, The Bombay Circle Press has you covered with books that sing in the same key as your favorite songs.