This is an absolutely beautiful and brilliant take on Taylor Swift’s work!

As a fan since her first album, I’ve always appreciated the intricacies of her lyrics, but I’m grateful that it has been annotated in such a way in this book to prove the legitimacy of her poetry and lyricism. Sure, Blank Space is catchy as all get out, and there are plenty of other songs that can be dismissed by the public as “just a pop song”. But you cannot argue the lack depth of her writing even from the beginning, and it only seems to grow deeper and more layered with each album.

The next time a “Brad or Chad” tries to tell you that she’s “just a pop artist”, I beg you to whip out this book and prove them wrong.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my digital advance copy!

A beautiful read that is perfect for Taylor Swift fans. Gives insight and deepth to songs, along with facts swifties may not know! This read would be the perfect book to display and have on your coffee table to browse every night! Adored this book!

Okay, I am thoroughly impressed with this book itself I will definitely be recommending it to all my Swiftie friends.

Stars Around My Scars is a must-read not only for Taylor Swift fans but also for everyone interested in the intersections of music, art, literature, and popular culture. McCausland's analysis of Swift's selected lyrics is thought-provoking and nuanced.

I absolutely LOVED this. One of my majors in college was English, but the focus was more on literature.
I am also an OG Swiftie. Taylor's lyrics are unlike anyone else, so having a book that really broke down the complexities was super fun to read.
I even uncovered a few hidden Taylor Easter Eggs I hadn't know before.

Highly recommend for a Swiftie who wants a thought provoking look into Taylor's lyrics.

As a Taylor fan with a degree in English, it was so satisfying to read this and blend two of my worlds. I wouldn't mind reading analyses like this for every song.

2.5 ✰ stars

This was my first time reading a book about lyric analysis and it wasn’t totally what I was expecting. I don’t really have any strong feelings about this book (dislike or love).

I went into this expecting a lot more than what was on the pages. I was pretty bored throughout the majority of the novel. I felt like there just could’ve more to it. Like analysis of the albums/eras as a whole. Plus I would’ve loved to see some certain songs that just weren’t included in here.

It’s a very easy read and some of it is pretty interesting but other than that it kind of just fell flat to me.

Thank you to netgalley, for providing me with an ARC. As always, all thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.

This book was so wonderful to read as a swiftie and opened my eyes so much more to the extent of meaning and literary devices in her songs. I think the song choices and format were both wonderful choices, ensuring that the text wasn't to clustered or daunting.

3.5 ⭐️ I enjoyed this book but I wouldn’t recommend to read it in one time because it can get boring. As a big swiftie I did enjoy it but I think if you don’t know these songs the book isn’t fun. It is a good remember that Taylor is a poet and how deep her songs are but I didn’t think this book was anything above 3.5 stars. I did like the use of the word swiftian. I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for this arc. I would like to have the physical copy of this book so maybe I’m gonna buy it.

Favorite chapter: you are in love (also one of my favorite songs and my surprise song)

4.5 stars

A poetic literary analysis of Taylor Swift’s beautifully complicated lyrics, complete with a glossary of terms so we can follow along as Dr. McCausland, professor of English Literature and fellow Swiftie, notes the different techniques, themes, and literary references Swift employs in her songwriting. Not only is the analysis itself fascinating, you’ll be inspired and encouraged to dig deeper into your favorite songs, interpreting them as they resonated with your experiences and emotions. 

This is a book every Swiftie will want on their shelf, and can illuminate the depth of Swift’s work to those who might think she only writes about one thing. I especially enjoyed the way Dr. McCausland’s notes were presented - seemingly handwritten into the margins of the lyric sheets, ideas flowing along with each song. It would be fun to follow her example and annotate our own insights.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance ebook of this work for review purposes. This one will be in stores on January 27.

Stars Around My Scars by Dr. Elly McCausland is a must-read for anyone who sees Taylor Swift as more than just a pop star—it’s a celebration of her artistry as a poet and storyteller. McCausland’s line-by-line analysis of 46 songs from across Swift’s career blends literary insight with fan appreciation, making it perfect for both casual listeners and devoted Swifties.

While some might wish for deeper dives into themes spanning multiple eras, the book strikes a thoughtful balance, offering accessible but meaningful commentary on Swift’s lyrics. With its focus on poetic technique, literary allusions, and the deeper craftsmanship in Swift’s work, Stars Around My Scars solidifies her place as one of this generation’s most significant artists.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this before it came out! I really enjoyed reading this and learning more about the songs and their potential meaning. It was an easy read and is perfect for any Taylor Swift fan who wants to learn more about the potential meaning behind the lyrics. I wish there had been more songs chosen to dissect but loved that so many popular songs were chosen.

Self-proclaimed swiftie and award-winning author/professor Emily McCausland brings us an English professor’s love letter to Taylor Swift! McCausland goes line by line through 46 of Taylor’s songs, pulled from all 11 of her albums, to break down the Swift’s poetic mastery and literary talent. This book reads like an English poetry class, but with songs that any fan will know by heart. The glossary at the end is really helpful. This would be best enjoyed as a hardback coffee table book, perused whenever inspiration and interest strike. It’s a great read for any swiftie!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Writing style
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Clarity
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Engagement
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Premise
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pacing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Impact

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I teach a college-level course on Taylor Swift, though from a social science perspective. This book is such a great compliment for that class to introduce students to some of the ways that literary scholars would interpret Swift's lyrics. I can't wait to use it next time I teach the class.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As a dedicated Swiftie, I thought I knew everything there was to know about Taylor Swift’s discography, but this book completely blew me away! The author’s deep dive into Swift’s lyrics, themes, and evolving musical style is nothing short of brilliant. Whether you’re a casual listener or a die-hard fan, this book offers a fresh perspective on Taylor’s work that will make you appreciate her artistry even more.

What really set this book apart was the way it made me think about Swift’s lyrics on a much deeper level. I found myself going back to my favorite tracks with a new perspective, discovering layers of meaning I’d missed before. If you love Taylor Swift’s music, or just enjoy thoughtful literary analysis, this book is a must-read. It's an insightful, comprehensive, and engaging look at one of the most talented and influential artists of our time. Highly recommend!

As a swiftie I had to check this out and i must admit that this helped me alot with understanding the songs and enlightened me more about my idol.
I HIGLY RECOMMEND

As a swiftie and former front row of English class student I loved this one! I haven’t thought analytically about poetry for over a decade and this was such a fun way to dive back into it! I loved seeing handwritten annotations that part was really fun for me!

Did not finish - this reminded me of a high school student that wanted to do an english project around Taylor Swift, so somehow convinced her teacher that she could make connections and find literary devices in Taylor Swifts lyrics, but then turns in just annotated lyrics.

If you’ve ever caught yourself dissecting Taylor Swift’s lyrics line by line, Stars Around My Scars feels like a total gift. Dr. Elly McCausland sets up shop with her highlighters and red pen to walk us through 46 of Taylor’s most beloved (and often dissected) songs, highlighting everything from subtle literary allusions to clever poetic devices. What’s really great here is how approachable the writing style is. Even if you’re not used to close readings or critical essays, you’ll find yourself scrolling through lyrics thinking, “Oh, that’s what that line really means!”

Each chapter reads like a mini deep-dive, complete with margin notes that point out interesting language choices and easter eggs that connect across Taylor’s albums. It’s basically the English Lit class of your Swiftie dreams, and it cements the argument that Taylor’s not just a songwriter—she’s this generation’s defining poet. If you love analyzing folklore and Lover as much as belting along to them, Stars Around My Scars delivers a brand-new way to appreciate Taylor’s brilliance.

Stars Around My Scars, written by Elly McCausland, is a book of annotated poetry of the songs of Taylor Swift. It goes through different albums and songs by the artist, and looks at how they were written, themes in the songs, and connections to literature and other songs. I really enjoyed how there were notes in the lyrics, and also a more detailed synopsis after the lyrics. It was also helpful to have the different literature terms defined, and have an index at the back where you could look to see where different songs were talked about. I also really appreciated the connections that were made between different songs, and how the writer was praised through the book.
Thank you to NetGalley, and to the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.