As a librarian and Swiftie, 2023 was a year full of reading, and Taylor Swift. Between seeing everyone’s Spotify Wrapped, and reflecting on my GoodReads’ Year in Review, I had to jump on this BookTok trend with some of my favorite reads of 2023, all of which you can find in our collection. This is the Eras Tour (Bell Library’s Version).
Debut
If you like Tied Together with a Smile
Hold on, baby, you’re losing it
The water’s high, you’re jumping into it
And letting go, and no one knows
That you cry, but you don’t tell anyone
That you might not be the golden one
And you’re tied together with a smile
But you’re coming undone
You may like I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
One of the biggest books of 2022, this heartbreaking but beautiful memoir follows Jennette and her mother’s relationship as they both try to navigate child stardom together.
Available Digitally.
Fearless (Taylor’s Version)
If you like The Way I Loved You (Taylor’s Version)
But I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain
And it’s 2 a.m. and I’m cursing your name
So in love that you act insane
And that’s the way I loved you
You may like The Hating Game
If you like a good enemies-to-lovers story, then you should give this movie a watch. Based on the novel by Sally Thorne, this romantic comedy has plenty of romance, with some hilarious twists and turns.
Stream the film now on Kanopy!
Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
If you like Haunted (Taylor’s Version)
Come on, come on, don’t leave me like this
I thought I had you figured out
Can’t breathe whenever you’re gone
Can’t turn back now, I’m haunted
You may like In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
This haunting memoir follows the tumultuous relationship between Machado and the Woman in the Dream House. The author uses a series of horror themes and tropes to make sense of her time in the abusive relationship. There are scenes of domestic abuse, so read with caution.
Available for checkout in our Popular Reading Collection.
Red (Taylor’s Version)
If you like Starlight (Taylor’s Version)
The whole place
Was dressed to the nines
And we were dancing, dancing
Like we’re made of starlight, starlight
You may like The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
A cute cozy story just in time for the Winter Solstice.
Available digitally.
1989 (Taylor’s Version)
If you like How You Get The Girl (Taylor’s Version)
I want you for worse or for better
I would wait for ever and ever
Broke your heart, I’ll put it back together
I would wait for ever and ever
And that’s how it works
That’s how you get the girl, girl
You may like Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
Young Adult (YA) is my personal favorite genre, so I would be remiss if I did not mention this gem of a story. It is humorous with lovable characters trekking through the wilderness.
Available for checkout in our YA collection.
Reputation
If you like Delicate
This ain’t for the best
My reputation’s never been worse, so
You must like me for me
We can’t make any promises
Now can we, babe?
But you can make me a drink
You may like The Maid by Nita Prose
A mysterious murder in a gorgeous hotel. Who could have possibly done it? Maybe Molly the Maid? You will have to read to find out…
Available for checkout in our Popular Reading Collection.
Lover
If you like The Man
I’m so sick of running as fast as I can
Wondering if I’d get there quicker
If I was a man
And I’m so sick of them coming at me again
‘Cause if I was a man
Then I’d be the man
You may like Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
I actually read this book back in 2022, but it still is a great read and I learned so much about how our world is one designed by and for men. It has some sad statistics, but also many inspirational and hopeful stories about Girl Power.
Available Digitally.
Folklore
If you like invisible string
Time, curious time
Gave me no compasses, gave me no signs
Were there clues I didn’t see?
And isn’t it just so pretty to think
All along there was some
Invisible string
Tying you to me?
You may like Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
This was my favorite book of the year. I cannot recommend enough. It is not a love story but a beautiful timeline of friendships and how people enter and stay in our lives.
Available digitally.
Evermore
If you like happiness
Tell me, when did your winning smile
Begin to look like a smirk?
When did all our lessons start to look like weapons pointed at my deepest hurt?
You may like It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
This story is hard to read, but it is a beautiful and important story to hear. It does show scenes with domestic abuse, so please read with caution. It left me in tears but filled me with hope.
Available for checkout in our Popular Reading Collection.
Midnights
If you like Anti-Hero
It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me
At tea time, everybody agrees
I’ll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror
It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
You may like Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
In the ancient Ramayana epic, Kaikeyi is portrayed as an anti-hero, banishing her stepson Rama to exile. This novel is a retelling of this ancient story, but from Kaikeyi’s eyes, shining a new perspective on the traditional tale.
Available for checkout in our Popular Reading Collection.
Let us know if there are any other books, songs, or artists you would like to see us do this for. Happy Reading, and Happy New Year!
