I wish I had thought of this idea sooner.

Stars Around My Scars is a compilation of Taylor Swift's most notable songs annotated by Dr. Elly McCausland, a professor of "Swifterature".

I love the acknowledgment that Taylor Swift's songs should be considered as poetry, and we should appreciate the use of literary devices in them.

I had expected to learn more about Taylor's skillful use of language through a literary analysis of her songs; but for a good portion of this book (especially anything before the Folklore era), some of the content can read more like fan theory than lit theory. I had thought this was just something in my head, but then I picked up a book with a very similar concept to this one, and it had exactly what I was looking for.

Regardless, Swifties who love language or reading will have a good time with this book and bask in the shared appreciation of Taylor's craft.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Stars Around My Scars will be available January 28, 2025.

This book took such an interesting deep dive into all of Taylor Swift’s songs. It includes both a detailed line-by-line analysis as well as an overarching analysis for each song. The author noted connections between songs that I never noticed. A great read for any Swifties!

Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book!

This was such an interesting deep dive into the poetry of Taylor Swift. As a huge Swiftie, I thoroughly enjoyed the different annotations and takes on lyrics as well as insights into the songs. This is a must read for any poetry, english loving Swiftie as I feel like I have a deeper understanding of some of her most hard hitting songs after completing this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this E-Galley in exchange for my honest review.

Perfect book for fellow Swifties!! Loved the deep dive into some of her popular songs.

Must have book for any Swiftie bookshelf.

Stars Around My Scars by Elly McCausland is out January 28, 2025. Thanks NetGalley for the early viewing.

i really enjoyed this book!! i love the artistic interpretations of some of taylor’s songs across all eras. it was cool how it was set up, with a font that looks like handwritten note annotating the song lyrics. i also enjoyed that there was a general wrap up of each song at the end. very cool idea for a book!

As a Swiftie who has been there since debut I loved this book and would recommend it to all Swifties it's a great read.

Calling all swifties! Run don't walk to read this book!

The layout of this book is stunning! I loved how the author annotated the lyrics and then gave an explanation. It is a great look into the song writing process and how it all ties together. It was also nice to revisit songs from all the eras! I would love to own a physical version of this book because of the beautiful pages. I also love that it goes all the way through the TTPD.

If you're a swiftie definitely pick this one up!

Thank you to Elly McCausland, Andrews McMeel Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was really good. For anyone interested in poetry analysis, as well as a broad overview of Taylor Swift‘s catalog, definitely fascinating.
Also good to have for that inevitable comment about Taylor Swift‘s songs being „badly written“ and „only about breakups“!
Might also be something for English teachers to have a look at and consider using her music for class!

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved the concept behind this book! The premise was so unique, and the execution completely delivered. The writing style was captivating, especially with the notes in the margins, which added such a creative layer to the storytelling. It felt like I was unraveling a mystery in real-time, and it made the reading experience so immersive.

This book made me feel like a full-blown Taylor Swift conspiracy theorist—connecting the dots, analyzing every word, and questioning everything. I was constantly second-guessing myself, and I loved every second of it. If you’re a fan of clever, interactive storytelling, this one is an absolute must-read!

Five stars!

Oh, how I truly loved this.

Synopsis: A must-have book for all Swifties, “Stars Around My Scars: The Annotated Poetry of Taylor Swift” by Elly McCausland analyzes 46 of Swift’s songs line by line to help listeners understand and appreciate her songwriting abilities and literary connections. McCausland is a professor of English literature — and “Swifterature” — at Ghent University in Belgium, so she knows what she’s talking about when it comes to history, poetry and literary references.

This in-depth, well-researched book really took me by surprise, uncovering even deeper meanings to some of Swift’s most emotional and beloved songs. I. Learned. So. Much.

McCausland avoids speculating which songs are about specific people or relationships and instead focuses on how Swift’s songs draw from other works of art as well as her own discography. This is one book to buy — not borrow — and treasure for years to come.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advanced reader copy of #StarsAroundMyScars. To be published Jan. 28, 2025.

As a Swiftie, this book intrigued me. Dr. E. McCausland, a professor of literature in Belgium, has become known for her class in “Swiftature”. She takes the lyrics of popular songs by Taylor Swift and examines them from a literary point of view. One of the biggest (and most untrue in my opinion) complaints about Swift’s music is that “she only writes songs about her exes”. McCausland takes that argument and proves why it is wrong.

You do not have to be a Swiftie to understand this book! That being said, this is not a sit-down and read-for-fun book. This is a book I would (and probably will) get for one of the following reasons: 1. I’m going to read and discuss/annotate with my Swiftie friends. 2. To use in class as a teacher. Or 3. To add to my collection of Taylor Swift-related books.


Most of the annotations in the book talk about the literary structures of the lyrics and how they are used to convey meaning/ express feelings and tell a story. Many of the explanations she gives really opened my eyes to better understand how Blondie is able to pack such a punch into some of her most devastating songs. While I didn’t always agree with the conclusions made by Dr. McCausland, I found myself wanting to discuss the ideas and add my annotations. For this reason, I would not buy this as an e-book. I need the physical book so I can add my own thoughts and conclusions.

This book would be perfect for a Swiftie book club.

Taylor Swift is a cultural phenomenon and with her Eras Tour ending in a few days, there have been many products and hype to keep the flames going. The argument of whether or not she is a poet is explained very well and there are depths to her songs that continue through her discography. I liked the design and layout, and how the author chose select songs. I learnt a lot about poetry in general just by reading this and I’m sure fans who study this book will find new meaning in the songs they’ve known for years.

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t know I needed this in my life. 5 stars. No notes.

**I received this advance copy free from Andrews McMeel Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

"Stars Around My Scars* is an entertaining and enlightening deep dive into Taylor Swift’s lyrics, blending academia and fandom in a way that feels both personal and profound. Presented with annotated songs styled like handwritten notebook pages, followed by detailed recaps, this book feels like being back at university, studying texts with all the joy and heartbreak they bring.

As someone who has studied Swift’s music for my Honours and Master’s degrees in Music, I adored discovering the interconnections between songs across her discography and brushing up on technical terms (the glossary was *Perfectly Fine*). Dr. McCausland’s insightful analyses of Taylor’s lyrics as literary texts illuminate so much about her songwriting craft. While some interpretations felt speculative, that’s the magic of analysing art—Swift’s lyrics resonate differently for everyone, and their openness invites discussion.

The conclusion serves as a beautiful reminder: these songs are ours now, and how we relate to them is just as important as what Taylor might have intended. This book is a must-read for Swifties who want to connect the *Invisible String* of Taylor’s storytelling with her poetic brilliance. I’ll definitely be buying a physical copy to annotate, because this is one love story worth underlining.

Taylor Swift’s music is full of metaphors and imagery, and it was really interesting to read the author’s interpretation of the lyrics’ meaning. Of course, listening to music is subjective, and people interpret meanings in different ways.

I enjoyed the stylistic choices in how the notes were presented in the book. They looked like handwritten notes with circled words, underlining, etc. It almost felt like reading someone’s personal notebook.

The glossary at the end was helpful because I wasn’t familiar with all the terminology the author used.

If you’re a Swiftie who enjoys analyzing and exploring the meaning and message behind Taylor Swift’s lyrics, I highly recommend checking out this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy! First off I love this concept. Breaking down the best lyrics written by Taylor and can see this being picked up by huge fans or those who want to know more about her. I enjoyed the analysis parts more when they were broken up throughout the lyric pages, rather than after each song. It would be fun to see this collection grow adding different songs from each era. I would definitely recommend this book to other fans of Taylor!

Stars Around My Scars analyzes the oeuvre of Taylor Swift. Picking songs from every album she has ever published, McCauseland shows us a peak behind the curtain of Swift's literary genius.

This book was a very interesting read. As a casual Taylor Swift fan and a lover of poetry, McCauseland offers a great intersection for these two to meet. I learnt something new about Swift's history and view on the world via the analysis of some her songs. This gave new meaning to old familiars.

The only thing missing from this analysis is a more overarching analysis per album. That would have added some extra depth for those less familiar with Swift's oeuvre. I would have also liked to see McCauseland go even deeper with her analysis, with some of the literary references for example. But that is probably a very personal preference.

The format for this book with the “notes scribbled in the margins” style feels very Taylor, fun and dynamic. I also really enjoyed how different songs and albums got linked with the analysis of different songs throughout the book.

I would suggest listening to a particular song covered in this book, before or during reading the analysis of said song (unless you know it by heart of course!). As not only the text, but also the recitation is often referenced. This book works particularly well as reference material to peruse a few songs at a time, or as a coffee book to leave through at your leisure.

Is Taylor Swift a Poet?
I'd say yes, absolutely!
Imagine her on stage without the band, the flashy clothes and no guitar or singing. Instead she is standing on stage speaking her lyrics into the microphone while a crowd of aspiring poets and English literature students are staring at her intently hanging on to her every word and feeling the emotion in her voice.
I think if Taylor Swift didn't go down the musical path she would have become a very successful literary writer and poet. Maybe she would be the Emily Dickenson of today. Maybe she already is!

The author is a professor teaching a course she created called English Literature Taylor's Version at Ghent University, she offers her insights into the meaning of Taylor's lyrics and how they are inspired by other great works of literature that Ms Swift is clearly a fan of.
I particularly enjoyed the author's notes and annotations circle words and including her thoughts as an English professor.
Some may not agree with her ideas, however as she clearly states in the Introduction to the book that's okay, everyone has their own thoughts and opinions, only Taylor Swift knows the true meaning to the words she wrote.

Overall this is a valuable piece of work for Swifties and literature and poetry lovers and students

I'm a total Swiftie, so I loved this, I just wish that there had been a different choice of songs chosen from TTPD, I can't do it with a broken heart, Clara Bow, for example. Anyway, definitely a must for super fans!!!!!

I will read anything that will show respect to Taylor's work like this did. I really enjoyed looking at all the amazing details in Taylor's writing and all the songs I love.