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If there is one thing better than listening to “The Tortured Poets Department,” it’s reading book recommendations based on it. On April 21, Taylor Swift graced us with the Tortured Poets era and the album’s aesthetics fit perfectly with literature.

The books might not exactly match the song word-for-word but each of them fits as well as can be (sometimes it’s also about the vibes). Here are some book recommendations based on songs from “The Tortured Poets Department.” 

So High School: Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

If there is one book that fits this song, it’s this one. This high school childhood enemies to lovers young adult fits perfectly well with the lyrics and has the same young love charm as the song. 

Lyrics that go well are: “Truth, dare, spin bottles. You know how to ball, I know Aristotle.” 

Florida!!!: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Poppy and Alex used to be thick as thieves’ best friends, who vacationed together every year. But they have not spoken to each other in two years, and a chance to fix their relationship is presented when they take one more trip together. 

Lyrics that go well are: “Love left me like this and I don’t want to exist. So take me to Florida.” 

The Prophecy: Percy Jackson & the Olympians (series) by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson did not want to be a demigod, but he is. Throughout the entire series, Riordan puts Percy through different quests that seem to fit a prophecy only he can fulfill. 

Lyrics that go well are: “Who do I have to speak to, about if they can redo. The prophecy?” 

Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?: The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to be a scribe but is instead ordered to go to Basgiath War, to become a dragon rider. With next to no training, Violet makes it to the Basgiath War College. But the only way out is to graduate or die.

Lyrics that go well are: “Who’s afraid of little old me?” You should be.” 

loml: All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Theodore Finch and Violet Markey, form an unlikely bond while both try to escape their past. With each other’s company Violet learns how to live again and Finch learns to be himself. 

This book is heavy on trigger warnings, so please do your research before picking it up. 

Lyrics that go well are: “And I’ll still see it until I die. You’re the loss of my life.” 

Fresh Out The Slammer: Funny Story by Emily Henry

The latest book by Henry is about Daphne and Miles, who are brought together unexpectedly. Coming off long-term relationships, the roommates form an unlikely bond and find each other where they least expected to. 

Lyrics that go well are: “Now pretty baby, I’m running back home to you. Fresh out the slammer, I know who my first call will be to.”

The Alchemy: The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

This is the first book that came to mind after listening to this song. NFL player Aiden Graves and Vanessa Mazur fit the bill when it comes to The Alchemy.

Lyrics that go well are: “There was no chance, trying to be, the greatest in the league. Where’s the trophy? He just comes running over to me.” 

Clara Bow: Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book set in the 70s is about a rock band, “Daisy Jones and The Six.” The imagery in the book matches how rock idols cycle through in real life.

Lyrics that go well are: “Crowd goes wild at her fingertips. Half moonshine, a full eclipse”

My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

After reading the first book, you will see the vision of this pairing. 

Lyrics that go well are: “But you should’ve seen him when he first got me. My boy only breaks his favorite toys.” 

The Albatross: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

This young adult fantasy is about Alina Starkov, the only Grisha who has the powers that are needed to address the problems in their world. 

Lyrics that go well are: “She’s the albatross. She is here to destroy you.”

imgonnagetyouback: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

The second book in the Empyrean series, matches the song well. 

Lyrics that go well are: “I hear the whispers in your eyes. I’ll make you wanna think twice. You’ll find that you were never not mine.” 

The Bolter: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

This song was written for Amy March. 

Lyrics that go well are: “Splendidly selfish, charmingly helpless. Excellent fun ’til you get to know her. Then she runs like it’s a race.”

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