My favorite books to read according to your favorite Taylor Swift song

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a Sci-Fi and Fantasy author who loves all things young adult! I always listen to Taylor Swift when I write, because I love how her songs are full of nostalgia, romance, humanity, and a lust for adventure—just like my books. If you couldn’t make it to the Era’s tour, no fear, check out some of these books below! 


I wrote...

The Last She

By H.J. Nelson,

Book cover of The Last She

What is my book about?

As the only female to survive the devastating virus, Ara hasn’t seen another human in months―not since her father disappeared. The plague has swept away humanity, and Ara’s world is desolate, haunted by the ghosts of her former life. Her mother. Her sister.

Kaden and his crew live by a code: stay alert, stay alive. When they catch Ara stealing from them, they're furious―and confused. She's the first girl they've seen in three years. While Kaden knows taking her captive is wrong, he tells himself he’s doing it to protect her. But with Ara determined to follow through on her father’s mission―go back to the beginning. End the plague―Kaden becomes mesmerized by Ara’s will and beauty. He knows he'll do anything to help her, even if it tears their worlds apart.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of She's with Me

H.J. Nelson Why did I love this book?

If your favorite song is “I Knew You Were Trouble” try She’s With Me, by Jessica Consolo. It’s got romance, bad boys, and a heroine with a past she’s running from.

I loved the slow-burn romance, the comedy, and the fast pace—it’s the sort of book you could read in one sitting. It also has several wonderful spin-offs with said bad boys friends and brothers, because is there even a Taylor Swift without more handsome men out there to date?

By Jessica Cunsolo,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked She's with Me as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

Moving to a new town to escape her dark past, Amelia Collins is determined to keep her head down and finish her senior year.

But her plan is proving difficult when she runs into Aiden Parker - the school's hottest bad boy. Initially she can't imagine anyone worse than Aiden - his good looks can't possibly excuse his bad attitude. But soon she'll realise there's more to him than meets the eye.

Now, Amelia needs to find a way to survive senior year and not get distracted by Aiden - or his gorgeous best friend, and complete player, Mason.

With…


Book cover of Stravaganza City of Masks

H.J. Nelson Why did I love this book?

If your favorite song is “Wildest Dreams” try City of Masks, by Mary Hoffman. This is an older book, but it’s one of my favs.

It’s about a boy with cancer who every night dreams and wakes up in a fantastic version of Italy, where he isn’t sick from cancer. I love its lush and dangerous feel; something about the intrigue, masks, and romance get me every time.

I also loved the female characters in this book—they’re driven and complicated and so fun to read. It all feels like a wild, wonderful dream you won’t want to come back from.

By Mary Hoffman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Stravaganza City of Masks as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

Set in Talia, a parallel world very similar to 16th-century Italy, the narrative follows Lucien, who in our world is very ill. Given a marbled notebook to use as a diary, the notebook is the unexpected means that transports Lucien to this dangerous new world; a world that thrills to the delight of political intrigue and where a life can be snuffed out with a flash of a merlino blade. The city of Bellezza (Venice in our world) is astonishingly evoked, with a filmic eye to detail, from the sensuousness of silks and velvets, to the thrill and danger of…


Book cover of Wildwood Dancing

H.J. Nelson Why did I love this book?

If your favorite song is “Love Story” try Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier.

There is something about Julier Marillier’s writing that feels ethereal and innocent and mysterious and romantic all in the same moment. Wildwood Dancing is my favorite of hers. It’s a fairytale retelling of the dancing sisters that it’s based in Romania and includes some of the local culture and customs.

I love how the realistic, unique setting blends with the fairytale story, and it really sets it apart for me from other fairytale retellings.

By Juliet Marillier,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Wildwood Dancing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

The wildwood holds many mysteries. Jena and her sisters share the biggest of all, a fantastic secret that enables them to escape the confines of their everyday life in rural Transylvania. They have kept it hidden for nine long years.

When their father falls ill and must leave their forest home over the winter, Jena and her older sister Tati are left in charge. All goes well until a tragic accident allows their overbearing cousin Cezar to take control. The appearance of a mysterious young man in a black coat divides sister from sister, and suddenly Jena finds herself fighting…


Book cover of Of Cages and Crowns

H.J. Nelson Why did I love this book?

If your favorite song is “Look What We Made You Do” try Of Cages and Crowns by Brianna Crump.

Think Hunger Games but with more romance, and very much the vibe of “I got my but you’ll all get yours.” There’s revenge, survival, romance, and revenge and a rebellion brewing in the background, but I was surprised at how much this book surprised me.

Every time I thought I knew what was coming next, some new secret or shocking twist surprised me.

By Brianna Joy Crump,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Of Cages and Crowns as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

For goddess-touched girls, there is only one destiny: the Culling

From the moment Monroe Benson is born with a mark on her hand and the ability to summon fire from her fingertips, her life will never be her own. She’s goddess-touched, which means she’s destined to participate in the Culling, an age-old competition to determine the next queen of Erydia. For most of her seventeen years, her family has managed to keep Monroe―and her powers―hidden. But now, as Queen Viera calls for the Culling to start, and war looms on the horizon, Monroe can no longer hide. She must face…


Book cover of I Hate You, Fuller James

H.J. Nelson Why did I love this book?

If your favorite song is “You Belong With Me” try I Hate You, Fuller James, by Kelley Anne Blount.

It’s very much the story of a nerdy awkward girl pining after the handsome jock, and is full of sweet moments. I love the similarities between it and 10 Things I Hate About You and the nods to other 90’s rom coms.

I’m a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope, and it was fun to watch a young female character fall in love but also learn to stand up for herself.

You might also like...

The Samaritan's Patient

By Chevron Ross,

Book cover of The Samaritan's Patient

Chevron Ross

New book alert!

What is my book about?

Teenager Paige Abernathy awakens after a severe beating to find that she suffers from amnesia, and that everyone seems to hate her. She has only flashes of memory until the night a grieving parent attacks her in her hospital room. Paige then remembers her role as the creator of an online group where members talk about ways to commit suicide.

After recovering from the beating, Paige embarks on a journey of penance to atone for a disaster born of good intentions. Her odyssey launches her on a mission of mercy and into new danger. The Samaritan’s Patient is a thought-provoking novel about navigating the treacherous waters of social media.

The Samaritan's Patient

By Chevron Ross,

What is this book about?

Teenager Paige Abernathy awakens after a severe beating to find that she suffers from amnesia, and that everyone seems to hate her.

She has only flashes of memory until the night a grieving parent attacks her in her hospital room. Paige then remembers her role as creator of an online group where members talk about ways to commit suicide.

After recovering from the beating, Paige embarks on a journey of penance to atone for a disaster born of good intentions. Her odyssey launches her on a mission of mercy and into new danger.

The Samaritan's Patient is a thought-provoking novel…


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