Fun! Really beautifully laid out and a must have for Swifties who want to creatively linger in the literary aspects of Taylor Swifts work. Really lovely, I can't wait to get my own physical copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I literally CANNOT WAIT to get my hands on a full copy of Dear Reader. This sampler was outstanding. I have been a Swiftie since the beginning. Taylor and I are only 22 days apart in age so I have grown up and experienced over half of my life with her music. She puts into words all the thoughts and feelings I have but don't have the words to express. So I was very excited to review this sample of Dear Reader. Dear Reader is a fantastic exploration into the themes and literary influences in Taylor Swift's music. The prompts for reflecting on the themes are very well crafted prompts and do a great job at evoking deeper thought into Taylor's lyrics. The book is also like a journal too as it allows the reader to not only reflect on the themes in the songs but also the emotions that the lyricism evokes in the reader. I know every Taylor song by heart and I appreciated that the prompts allowed me to listen to the songs with fresh ears and think about them in new ways. It just deepened my love for the 5 songs discussed in the sample and I just cannot wait to experience that fresh take with the rest of the songs included in the book. Based on the sample, I will definitely be recommending this book to all of my Swiftie friends and bookshops my brand works with!

“Dear Reader” is the perfect companion for fans of Taylor Swift and classic literature. It was so interesting to see the invisible strings tying song lyrics to classic references. This would make a great gift!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This was actually a book sample but looking through it was so interesting, I added the book to my Amazon wishlist. I think it would be the perfect gift for the Swiftie reader in your life as it appears to take literary references from Taylor Swift’s music and leading to deeper thought processes. There are journal prompts to get the reader thinking and the author summarizes the literary work in case you haven’t read it. I am really excited about this!

I absolutely loved how interactive this book was! Taylor Swift’s music is a staple in my life so it was fun to dive even deeper into her lyricism and learn new things! The questions asked, for example, “can you name any Taylor songs or music videos that reference Shakespeare’s famous works?”, were so engaging and really got me thinking! Overall, this is such a fun little book/activity. Thoroughly enjoyed!!

As a Swiftie who studied Romantacism, I immediately loved this. There was a great balance of researched and informative content, fan content, and fun interactive elements. I think a literary analysis of Swift’s works is definitely valid and rich for exploring, as we know she is a big reader who loves an Easter egg.

I have been a fan of Taylor’s music for about 18 years now and an English Literature lover for even longer. This does a great job of blending the two together. From what I can see from this sampler, I enjoy the formatting and how it has the reader writing their own ideas down for many of the sections. Would be perfect for an English Literature class or for someone who wants to extend their learning to a topic of interest. I am definitely going to be checking out a finished copy of this when it comes out later on this year.

As a longtime Taylor Swift fan, Dear Reader completely captivated me. Viktoria Capek blends thoughtful analysis with deep love for Taylor’s work, exploring lyrics in a way that feels both intelligent and emotionally personal. Each chapter reads like a conversation with someone who truly gets the heart behind the music.

The references to literary themes and storytelling were especially powerful—it made me appreciate songs I’ve heard a hundred times in a brand-new way. This isn’t just for fans, it’s for anyone who cares about words, emotion, and the stories we carry with us. Highly recommend for readers who love Taylor and the poetry hidden in pop.

The perfect gift for any Swifties! As a lover of Taylor Swift and her lyricism, as well as someone who's favorite class was English, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Has a great mix of lyric analysis and comparison to well known stories.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dear Reader by Viktoria Capek is an enchanting journey through Taylor Swift’s lyrics that immediately captured my heart—right from the front cover! I love how aesthetically pleasing the entire book is, with beautiful illustrations that make it a true visual delight. As someone who, at around 38ish, still finds herself obsessively researching Taylor’s lyrics (hello, Easter eggs!), I was all in from the start.

Although I didn’t use the journal prompts because I have the digital copy, I genuinely appreciate this fun and interactive aspect for those who enjoy writing. The book’s breakdowns, like the Swiftnotes, are incredibly helpful and add a layer of depth to the lyrics. It’s a perfect blend of music, literature, and art.

This book is definitely tailored for the sophisticated Swiftie who also has a love for reading and writing. I thoroughly enjoyed Viktoria Capek’s engaging writing style and the clever connections made between Taylor’s lyrics and classic romance novels. The inclusion of a historical element woven throughout the book adds even more richness to the experience.

I am so impressed that I plan to purchase the physical copy because this book is truly a keepsake and a beautiful addition to any fan’s collection. If you’re a devoted Swiftie who loves literature and aesthetics, this is a must-have!

Thank you to Watkins Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read this sample ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is slated to come out on 09/09/2025.

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. 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.

If you are a lover of words, lyrics, or just Taylor, you will enjoy this book!

Thank you to the author + Watkins Publishing for my advance copy!