Such a good analysis based on Taylor’s work! Definitely worth the read for anyone who calls themselves a Swiftie. 10/10

Thank you Netgalley and Ella McCausland for this advance copy!

I had the best time reading this book, I never knew I needed an analysis of some of my favorite Taylor Swift songs but now I’m INSPIRED to dig into every song. This was so fun and so insightful. I highly recommend picking it up for the Swiftie in your life!

The book offers a very thorough analysis of Taylor Swift's lyrics. I loved how the lyrics appear with notes beside them. It analyzes metaphors, symbolism, and Taylor's evolution. The reading is accessible and fun to read as a swifty myself. I think it's a book for all Swifties. If that's not you, then you can pass.

Andrews McMeel Publishing does it again: they are always ahead of the curve when it comes to the publishing industry's edge.

From Dr Elly McCausland, the creator of the English Literature (Taylor's Version) course at Ghent University aka professor of Swifterature, comes the collection of annotated poetry of Taylor Swift. Very timely, seeing as the pop star is constantly in the news, sweeping awards, and breaking records…the cultural (and economic) impact of The Eras Tour alone is explanation enough. I flew from India to Ireland for the concert, and I know fans who’ve attended the concert multiple times (whatever your guess is for the number of times, rest assured its an exponent of that). All of this happened for the experience, yes, but it also happened because the fans have often felt heard and seen in the singer-songwriter’s poetic lyricism.

So it's no wonder, then, that the phenomenon that is Taylor Swift has also spawned an academic field deciphering the poetics behind her lyrics; conferences have been organised, literary magazines and journals have been inspired, and now we have “Stars Around My Scars” doing a closer reading of the songwriting.

Even the dedication of the book is laced with that Taylor magic! I am a fan for multiple reasons, but most of all because of Taylor's lyricism, and this book is a sheer delight for other Swifties like me. Taylor employs a rich array of poetic & literary devices in her writing – unpacking that is a soothing exercise if not downright healing. Its subversive storytelling is only made obvious briefly through folklore-style world-creation. Fans have, therefore, revelled in the fun parts - decoding easter eggs,

Now, coming over to the book: McCausland remains utmost respectful of the songwriter as she embarks on the decoding adventure — she is clear she isn’t going to play muse-whodunit here.
And the result is a collection of songs, annotated with a plethora of poetic devices employed by Taylor. In short, this is any literature student’s dream. (For me, personally, this was a door to the many poetry-related world-building concepts, and for that I am thankful)

The book offers cohesive as well aa standalone insights into the words: that Swift likens relationships to an ongoing story (manuscript, the story of us and so on) in a metaphor that surpasses eras. That she writes about her life — fame is explored in a biting way, for she is thankful for what’s happened, yet the downsides of fame don’t elude her.

McCausland herself uses a beautiful prose to describe songs, “The ink bleeds so she doesn’t have to.” or “We are the sum of our trials & tribulations.”

I highly recommend that Swifties read it and write their own poetry if that’s their jam! I know I will.

That was fantastic! I flew through this book in less than two hours. My throat's sore from singing (or trying to) along as I read.
I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you!!!!

Thank you so much, for the ARC!

As an avid Taylor Swift fan, lover of literature, and songwriter myself I adored this book. It was a delight to see the author dive into Taylor's lyrics, zooming in to examine the implications of a specific word or image and then zooming out to draw parallels in other parts of the song or in her discography. Taylor Swift's artistry is fully appreciated in this book. It intentionally doesn't get bogged down in speculation about possible sources of inspiration. Rather it encourages us to really look at the text and glean all we can from what is communicated and how it's phrased. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of some of her more ambiguous songs like hoax. The imagery in that song is vivid and complex and I so appreciated that it was one of the songs selected to be a part of this collection. Despite having been a fan of Taylor's for fourteen years now, this author got me to look at some of these songs in a new light. I had a wonderful time with this book and I will definitely be returning to it in the future because like Swift herself I'm such a nerd about analyzing how language is used. This is a great read for new and old Taylor Swift fans alike!

A really fascinating look at Taylor’s work as a lyricist for both diehard fans as well as for those who question the recognition and praise she continues to receive. A must read for anyone who has been touched by Taylor’s music.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

For fans who want to learn everything they can about Swifts writing, who want to delve into her lyrics and poetry and examine it from every angle! This book feels like a good jumping off point for new fans and a nice analytical read for Swifties who have been listening for a while.

The formatting is really nice and I like how much effort the author has obviously put into the book. It feels like a passion project and the handwritten font feels like we've just been given a journal of the authors thoughts. The fonts and illustrations all feel like they belong and the "English Literature (Taylor's Version) is a nice touch.

I do wish the color of the annotations matched the eras. Staying purple throughout is a bit of a missed opportunity. I have my own ideas about the lyrics but comparing and contrasting with what the author presents was really nice and the experience was enjoyable.

Book 197

Stars Around My Scars by Dr. Elly McCausland

ARC Review - release date January 28, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to Dr. Elly McCausland, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Stars Around My Scars in exchange for an honest review.

As a Swiftie and a lover of reading poetry, this book was a perfect combination of my interests! Poetry analysis has never been a subject I enjoyed but through this book I learned so much about literary techniques and poetry construction. It helps that I already knew all of the songs that were analyzed!

I appreciate that there are songs from each of Taylor Swift's eras to show the long history of thought and story telling that goes into her music! Additionally, I loved that Dr. McCausland made it a point to state that the songs were picked and analyzed based on their universally applicable themes and didn't speculate on who the song might be about.

My biggest issue with the book has to do with styling. All of the songs have in text "handwritten" analysis. Some songs have purple boxes within to analyze themes as the poem goes on. Others have the analysis after the poem. I like the in text purple boxes more!

Overall, this is a 4 star read for me!

#scarsaroundmystars #netgalley #books #reading #taylorswift #poetry #nonfiction #andrewsmcmeel

Dr. Elly McCausland’s Stars Around My Scars is an enlightening and engaging exploration of Taylor Swift's lyrical genius, perfect for Swifties and literature enthusiasts alike. McCausland, a professor of "Swifterature," invites readers to dive into the intricate tapestry of Swift's songwriting, providing a detailed analysis of 46 songs spanning her illustrious 11-album career.

From the outset, the book’s format is inviting. Each chapter focuses on a specific song, presenting the lyrics alongside McCausland’s insightful commentary. The use of marginalia is particularly effective; it draws attention to poetic techniques, literary references, and thematic connections that may otherwise go unnoticed. This approach transforms the reading experience into a literary treasure hunt, where fans can discover hidden meanings and appreciate the depth of Swift’s artistry.

What sets Stars Around My Scars apart is McCausland’s ability to articulate the emotional and intellectual resonance of Swift's lyrics. Her close readings reveal not only the craftsmanship behind the songs but also the broader cultural and literary context in which they exist. By drawing parallels between Swift’s work and established literary traditions, McCausland successfully legitimizes Swift as a significant contemporary poet.

The writing style is accessible and engaging, making it easy for readers of all backgrounds to connect with the content. McCausland’s enthusiasm for her subject matter is palpable, inviting readers to share in her excitement as they explore Swift's music. The book not only celebrates Swift's contributions to music but also champions the idea that popular artists can possess profound literary merit.

For Swifties of any era, Stars Around My Scars is more than just a song analysis; it’s an invitation to rethink how we engage with music and poetry. Dr. McCausland’s exploration of Taylor Swift’s lyrics underscores the power of storytelling through song and cements Swift's status as a once-in-a-generation literary luminary. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their appreciation of Taylor Swift’s work and understand the poetic layers that make her music resonate so deeply.

In conclusion, Stars Around My Scars is a thoughtful and illuminating tribute to Taylor Swift’s artistry, making it an essential addition to the library of any fan or literary scholar. Grab your highlighters and red pen; you're going to want to take notes!

This was such a fun read for a swiftie! I loved the analysis of her lyrics! Makes you think a little more when you listen to her music!

I've always known there was more to Taylor's music but I could rarely every put it into words. Reading the details and explanations of the why's and what's through out the lyrics of her music bring out another side to her story. I know this just scratched the surface of her discography but I loved every second of it!

Elly McCausland's Stars Around My Scars is a profound exploration of Taylor Swift's songwriting, offering an in-depth analysis of 46 of her most celebrated songs. McCausland, a professor of English literature and a passionate "Swiftie," brings academic rigor to Swift's lyrics, treating them as poetry that merits detailed examination. This approach not only elevates Swift's work within the literary landscape but also highlights the craftsmanship and layers of meaning in her music.

The book is organized around close readings of Swift's lyrics, with annotated margins that illuminate literary techniques, thematic threads, and cultural references. Stars Around My Scars lost me there a little bit, because of it's lack of accessibility. There were a lot of specific terms that you could not grasp as a non-literary-student. I also didn't like the "scribbling" style of this book, like I couldn't even read everything because of her poor handwriting. I also would have liked to read it on kindle bute this wasn't possible because of the format with the handwriting.
Nevertheless I really enjoyed the approach of this book and as a Swiftie I even learned something new.

This book leans more toward literary analysis and poetic techniques than the juicy parts of the songs. I can absolutely say that the whole book opened up a new world for me, and it will probably change the way I analyze songs forever. I also really liked the format of the book. It was so cool to read handwritten-style notes right next to the lyrics, and the analysis of each song neatly summed things up in a concise and thoughtful way.

While I enjoyed the book, I think those with a deeper interest in literary techniques than me will get the most out of it.

4/5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed the almost diaristic format of this book. There are typed lyrics and additional notes in a font that looks handwritten…but I don’t think actually is. The lines connecting the notes and circled words really add to the charm and make the reader feel like you’re reading from a notebook that a friend passed over. Swifties have been combing through lyrics and liner notes since Taylor has been writing songs, and I’ve been a fan from the beginning so it was nice to see a “professional’s” take on this…to have the right words for some of what I’ve noticed in her writing. My only complaint is that there are a couple of instances in here where I disagree with the author’s interpretation because it goes against things that Taylor herself has said.

Taylor Swift? Count me in!!

I absolutely loved this deep dive into Taylor Swifts lyrics and the break down of what the Author, Elly McCausland, believed it to be. The art in the book was so much fun. McCausland has vast knowledge of poetry and clearly did her research when putting together this masterpiece. As if I were talking to a friend while breaking down the Swifty lyrics and them understanding exactly where I am coming from!

It was so great that I was able to download immediately and see it in color through the NetGalley app on my phone.

McCauseland discusses the significance and technique Swift uses throughout her writing and she does so by album and song, so you can truly see Swifts evolvement through the years and decades. I can picture myself sitting in a room with the Author discussing in great length and detail Taylor Swifts art.

A must read for any Taylor Swift fan. Elly expertly examines her songs with both a breakdown of the lyrics with handwritten text in the margins as well as an analysis at the end. I listened to the songs as I read to completely surround myself. I can't wait to buy my Taylor Tot a copy!

This is an intense breakdown of Taylor Swift's songs by an English literature PhD. If you find yourself wondering the meaning of these T Swift songs, this book is for you. This would be an excellent holiday gift for a die hard Swiftie.

A fun, analytical analysis of some of TS's most iconic songs, and I really like how the author approached this. I think this book would be perfect for the young swiftie in your life and could get them interested in literature and hopefully inspire a deeper love of poetry and literature in anyone. 4.5/5

This was a really cool book! I love learning more about literary connections. It was cool to read the lyrics and look at the annotations to see the song in a new way! Would be great for those that love the lyrics and thinking about them. I definitely want a copy after seeing the Netgalley version.