#taylor swift by the book

[the--last-great-american-dynasty]

hello???? look what my sister got me for my birthday????

this is so cool guys

[trashland-llamas]

Dec Wrap Up

Twilight in Hazard; An Appalachian Reckoning [4.5 stars]

I found out about this book from my public library branch's Libby section for books about Appalachia and I'm glad. I've been wanting to learn more about Appalachia for a few months now, as I've lived in KY for most of my life but felt like I didn't really know anything. Not truly having roots here as my parents are west coast transplants. This book gives a very thorough history across many decades to the early 2020s.

Covering the coal industry, the OxyContin boom, the major levels of poverty, political corruption, and the shift from physical newspapers to online tabloids in Eastern Kentucky. The last one being that the author used to work for the Louisville Courier Journal and that this shift has actually been more detrimental to rural areas than beneficial. The book is a good starting point for those who know next to nothing about Eastern Kentucky and why it views the federal government and certain social issues the way it does. Would say to read other books in conjunction with this one due to its geographical specificity though. But there will definitely be similarities regarding the surrounding states.

Plus I'm overall tired of how people keep only recommending Hillbilly Elegy as that book is just another "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" story that doesn't seem to care about what happens to the area. Which I don't like that line of thinking as it doesn't account for all the outside forces affecting someone's life and why they make the choices they do. That's not to say they're the uwu helpless sort, just to clarify. Rather, the whole situation is a lot more nuanced than people like to admit and I think the author does a good job going about it all.

Alongside this, I'd simply rather hear from those who actually do want Appalachia to flourish. Even if said person starts out as an outsider. I listened to the audiobook version and will probably end up checking out the print version as there were some things mentioned that I definitely want to research and learn more about.

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins  [4.25 stars]

Knowing the end of Gale's character arc in this series makes certain sentences a shit ton more eerie which is definitely foreshadowing on Collins' part

'He's something of a whiz with snares, rigging them to bent saplings so they pull the kill out of the reach of predators, balancing logs on delicate stick triggers, weaving inescapable baskets to capture fish.'

'Hands that have the power to mine coal but the precision to set a delicate snare.'

'I recognize that voice. It's the same one he uses to approach wounded animals before he delivers a deathblow.'

Apparently I remember the film a lot better than I thought cause I'd be reading certain passages and the movie scene would pop into my head as I was reading it. But just like TBOSAS, it's interesting to discover what they changed for the movie. Even with Collins' previous work in television before THG series.

I understand what people mean when they say Katniss' internal monologue is funny cause I was laughing at her pulling a Timothee Chalamet SNL character break, going 'I'm pregnant!?' knowing damn well she isn't. Yes, Peeta is charismatic but not that charismatic. 

That and her struggling to keep up the facade in the games. Like no wonder Snow didn't believe y'all's love bs, beyond his past w/ Lucy Gray

Same with the 'ayo, why is Finnick kissing Peeta?' but then going 'oh, right, cpr is a thing,' which I do think emphasizes how she's 17 without necessarily calling to it. Like a show, don't tell thing cause there's only one line I saw that outright said her age.

Also the attention that Collins gives to implementing folk customs into the story - the herbalist book from her mother's side, the district's all having a diff staple bread, & how district 12 does their wedding

And I am now caught up on the Hunger Series except for the Haymitch book that's about to be released. Reading order has gone; The Hunger Games -> Mockingjay -> TBOSAS -> Catching Fire

Dark Moon: The Blood Altar Vol 1 - HYBE [4.25 stars] Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story - Laurie Loughlin [4.0 stars] Pupposites Attract Vol 1 - Hono Natsuna [4.0 stars]

Has similar vibes to the webtoon My Giant Nerd Boyfriend but the roles are reversed and there are exponentially more dogs involved. But that's where the similarities begin and end. One of those sappy/fluffy, quick reads for when the weather's dreary. 

All-New Wolverine: Immune Vol 4 - Leonard Kirk & Tom Taylor [3.75 stars] Given Vol 7 - Natsuki Kizu [3.0 stars] Hanukcats: And Other Traditional Jewish Songs for Cats - Angela Shelf Medearis [3.5 stars] Pupposites Attract Vol 2 - Hono Natsuna [3.75 stars]

The next 6 were rated 3.0 stars just b/c while I wasn’t the intended audience, I still greatly enjoyed them and thought the art style was extremely adorable. 

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea - Ben Clanton [3.0 stars] Super Narwhal and Jelly - Ben Clanton [3.0 stars] Narwhal's Otter Friend - Ben Clanton [3.0 stars] Narwhal's Sweet Tooth - Ben Clanton [3.0 stars] Narwhal's School of Awesomeness - Ben Clanton [3.0 stars] A Super Scary Narwhalloween - Ben Clanton [3.0 stars] Pack Origin - Kate King & Jessa Wilder [2.0 stars]

I always forget that romantasy is not really my thing seeing as I'm extremely picky when it comes to romance in general. Haven't entirely given up on the genre though.

As implied by the title, it's omegaverse where a character thinks they're a beta and then ends up an omega and their pack/harem is their alpha friends. There was an interesting aspect mentioned offhandedly in the first chapter about how omega/alpha pheromones are used as party drugs by betas. But because this book, despite the multiple povs is mainly framed in the fmc Bliss' perspective so it's unfortunately never explored. Otherwise, this book did make me realize I only like omegaverse in fanfiction b/c the book wasn't terrible.

It is a prequel novella to what seems to be a duology at this point in time. Went into it blind so Idk if the author is continuing it or if it's a completed series. Anyways, I bring this up as the novella does seem to be akin to how designers will make mock-ups of stuff when pitching ideas.

Unofficial Recipes of the Hunger Games: 187 Recipes Inspired by the Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingbird [2.75 stars]

This cookbook, oddly at the beginning, wants you to make everything in the recipe from scratch but the further it goes along, the more it becomes 'yea, buying stuff's fine.' Which isn't necessarily a bad thing but I'd rather them pick a lane

Would mostly recommend it for those who know next to nothing about cooking/baking and are wanting a place to start. That or if you're wanting to make more dinners at home with more vegetables

While it heavily acknowledges the fact that district 12 is supposed to be Appalachia, there's not a single recipe for grits. Closest they get is Mrs. Everdeen's Breakfast of Mush

It also treats meats such as squirrel, rabbit, and even venison at times as being 'exotic' meats. Which, as someone who lives in the south, aren't considered such. So that just came across as weird to me

Taylor Swift By the Book - Tiffany Tatreau & Rachel Feder [1.5 stars]

It's a recap video when I was expecting a video essay but in book form. It's extremely surface level and comes across pretentious as f. And funny enough in a book where you should be allowed to quote the lyrics, there's next to nothing. Or rather it's a single line used so it falls extremely flat when they point out the references. Like it's basic ass stuff you could research yourself going line by line on your own time. That and their quips piss me off.

Quips include [listening to the audiobook so apologies if the punctuation is off];

'If the theme of two girls competing for the affections of one guy doesn't sit well with you, we invite you to consider the following thesis; Cinderella was the original pick-me girl.'

'The choruses of Don't Blame Me and I Did Something Bad could've been sung by Ophelia and Lady Macbeth respectively at karaoke night...'

'Romeo and Juliet wish they had this steamy song to bop to, back in the 1500s'

Not a quip but 'Swiftian'

And to clarify, this isn't to say having this lightheartedness or the attitude the authors have towards old timey classics insults or devalues their work. Because simply put, it doesn't. The classical authors mentioned throughout have been dead for a while now. It's rather that there's an insulting insincerity that comes with treating Swift’s work akin to academia.

[judgingbooksbycovers]

Taylor Swift by the Book: The Literature Behind the Lyrics, from Fairy Tales to Tortured Poets

By Rachel Feder and Tiffany Tatreau.

[aru-and-leopard-cat]

I feel like this has to be said, since it’s becoming increasingly popular to be extremely rude to ppl and trash on their interests (especially on tumblr)

You can enjoy any media you like despite what losers on tumblr tell you that you should and shouldn’t enjoy, be it music, books, or shows and movies. If you’re having fun and enjoying yourself that’s all that matters, lame ass ppl on this site will try and make u feel guilty about what you enjoy and I think that’s stupid as fuck

Listen to pop, watch that popular show, read that book that everyone claims is bad. Who cares, ppl are way too obsessed with being different and unique that they’ll try and squash your interests and enjoyment to make themselves seem interesting

Bottom line, just treat people with kindness and don’t diminish their interests, it’s such a shitty thing to do

[outromoony]

"I'm not like other girls." Well, that's good for you, but I am. I love reading books and fanfics. I love obsessing over fictional characters and screaming music at the top of my lungs. I love fangirling over celebrities and getting overly invested in ships that will never be canon. I cry over sad endings and laugh at memes no one else understands. I love getting way too excited over small things, daydreaming about impossible scenarios, and staying up late to finish just one more chapter. I love getting lost in fictional worlds, losing sleep over them, and rewatching my favorite shows a million times. I love spending hours scrolling through fan art and feeling alive through the stories, music, and love for people I will never meet. I love being like other girls.

[stillgotscars]

and when there’s an entire page dedicated to just this photo in the eras tour book

[ivynightshade]

fatima aamer bilal, from i mother it the absence of her, iii. i am not a person that can be loved for a very long time excerpt from moony moonless sky.

[saltair-and-webweaves]

Who will come into my kitchen and be hungry for me?

you say you don’t want a boyfriend, but you know that’s not true - Charlotte Green/the voice - Anaïs Nin/the unabridged journals of Sylvia Plath - Sylvia Plath/tolerate it - Taylor Swift/the unabridged journals of sylvia plath - Sylvia Plath/the unexpurgated diary of anaïs nin - Anaïs Nin/ @treebloods/@lovebeing-a-girl/@ sanwtch on instagram/ @onlyanothermundane/@tullispink/I am an observer, but not by choice - @fatimaamerbilal/the prophecy - Taylor Swift/criss cross - Lynne Rae Perkins/Vladimir Mayakovsky in a letter to Lili Brik/what I could never confess without some bravado - Emily Palermo/little weirds - Jenny Slate

requested here

[carlytayjepsen]

Songs from The Tortured Poets Department as Penguin Modern Classics ✨

[4ktaylor]

Full Page UHQ Scan of The Eras Tour Book Outfit Drawings

[khawla-gfm2]

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$54,994/$80,000 as of [April 6th]

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[tswiftupdatess]

Taylor Swift for ''The Eras Tour book'':

“frolicking across stages with my crystal covered guitar (which was bedazzled by my parents and my brother), fringe dress, and boots – alongside my band. This is the first moment in the show where we highlight the magnificent musicians in my live band, who are also the studio musicians who play on the Taylor’s Versions of my re-records.” (November 27, 2024)

[taylornation]

We’ve almost arrived at the last leg of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour. 😭 But soon, we’ll be able to re-read the manuscript of the entire beautiful affair in The Official TS The Eras Tour Book AND finally hear the chapter you’ve been begging for – THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: The Anthology – on vinyl and CD. 📔 💿

Available only at Target on Nov 29. International info coming soon! 🤍

[theswiftievault]

| Christian Louboutin on designing Taylor’s shoes for The Eras Tour

""Her being on stage for two years all around the world, she needed to sparkle and stand out. So for each date, there were new fittings and shoes to surprise her fans.

Taylor launching a new album while on tour was such a big moment, The Tortured Poets Department shoe is my favorite and she played it for the first time in Paris.

Each pair is made to fully to allow for quick changes through the entirety of the show. As they are dancing for over three hours, comfort is also extremely important. So we incorporated a

sturdy block heel and also flats.

It was very emotional to accompany her in such a big moment in her career, I adored the Red era, when she was wearing her lyrics on a white T-shirt paired with the loafers, It was cute! It creates such a fun college vibe."

[stillgotscars]

An excerpt from The Eras Tour book - Taylor Swift

[taylorlq]

the eras tour book - rehearsals and bts icons !!