You know the feeling. The way Red plays like a kaleidoscope of emotions—love, heartbreak, rage, and the kind of nostalgic hope that leaves a bittersweet smile on your face. If you're anything like me, you've had Taylor Swift's Red album on repeat more times than you'd care to admit. It's the kind of album that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster—one minute you're screaming about heartbreak, and the next, you're embracing that sweet, bittersweet feeling of letting go and growing up. Honestly, it’s an album that knows how to feel. And let’s be real, the vibes of Red are what make it so iconic: it's heartbreak with a side of hope, it's the dizzy chaos of love, it’s nostalgia wrapped in shades of scarlet. It’s everything, all at once.
So, naturally, I thought, why not bring that emotional cocktail to our reading lists? Imagine books that can make you feel the highs, lows, and the dizzying in-betweens—the literary equivalents of "All Too Well" (the 10-minute version, of course). I’m talking about books that capture the full emotional spectrum of Red: the heartbreak, the yearning, the hope, the empowerment, and yes, the beautifully messy growth.
Get ready, Swifties and book lovers alike, because these are the books that feel like a 3 AM cry, a fearless love, and the burning color of passion. Grab your tissues and chai latte (or champagne) and wrap yourself in a cozy scarf (ideally one you didn’t accidentally leave at an ex's place), and let's dive into the Red-inspired reads! Here are 9 books that perfectly embody the Red era.
1. "Normal People" by Sally Rooney
This one’s for when you’re in your "All Too Well" era—when the love was unforgettable, the kind that leaves marks long after it ends. Normal People is the book equivalent of that moment in "Red" where everything is burning with intensity, and then, suddenly, it’s all falling apart. Connell and Marianne's love is real and raw, full of unspoken words and missed chances—the kind that echoes the lyrics "you call me up again just to break me like a promise."
Rooney's writing captures the complicated nature of relationships, the struggle to communicate, and the deep connection that often comes with just as much pain. Their story will remind you of all the people who come into your life like a lightning bolt, and of the beautiful, messy, heartbreaking ways we try to love them. It’s not a perfect love, but it's one you'll remember, much like the songs that shaped Taylor's Red era.
2. "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
You want drama, glamour, and heartbreak? Oh, honey, here it is. Evelyn Hugo is the "Holy Ground" of fictional characters—she’s larger than life, passionate, and leaves her mark wherever she goes. This book embodies everything about Red: the passion that makes you feel like you're at the top of the world, and the sorrow that comes from choices that weigh on you long after.
The story follows Evelyn as she recounts her life, loves, and sacrifices to a young journalist named Monique. The way Evelyn tells her story is like reminiscing on a love that was once fierce but has become more of a lesson—something she’ll always carry, like the scars from heartbreak. It’s for those who crave love and aren't afraid to chase it, even if it means losing it all in the end. Reid’s rich characterization and the glamorous yet tragic life of Evelyn will keep you hooked and tug at your heartstrings.
3. "Call Me by Your Name" by André Aciman
Listen, if Red taught us anything, it's that summer loves are magical and fleeting, much like that infamous scarf that has its own emotional saga. Call Me by Your Name captures the essence of a love that feels impossible to let go—that rush of falling headfirst into something you know won't last but feels eternal in the moment.
Set against the lush backdrop of an Italian summer, Aciman’s writing immerses you in Elio's world as he navigates his intense emotions for Oliver. Elio and Oliver's story is for those who want to lose themselves in a whirlwind of romance, for those who understand that a summer love might be brief but stays with you forever. The vivid descriptions of their passion, the longing, and the inevitable heartbreak will leave you aching for more. It’s the kind of book you need if you’re in the mood for deep, soul-shaking love—and the pain that comes with watching it slip away.
4. "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller
Are you ready for a tragedy that will make your heart shatter in all the best ways? This is the "I Knew You Were Trouble" anthem but in ancient Greece. Patroclus and Achilles have a love that’s unstoppable, fierce, and destined for heartbreak—much like the moment you knew it was bound to end but dove in anyway.
Miller's retelling of the Greek myth is beautifully written, with prose that feels almost lyrical. The pages are dripping with passion and sorrow, each one aching with a deep, abiding love that’s both glorious and doomed. If you’re looking for a book that’ll have you whispering "loving you was red" while tears stream down your face, then grab The Song of Achilles. Achilles is every impulsive lover, and Patroclus is every heart that breaks but still beats, and it's utterly devastating. The book’s exploration of fate, loyalty, and the intensity of love will leave you breathless.
5. "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" by V.E. Schwab
For those of you who can’t let go of the past, who live in a thousand "moments" like the lingering memories Taylor writes about in "Sad Beautiful Tragic," The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is the book. Addie makes a deal to live forever, but in return, she’s forgotten by everyone she meets. It’s the ultimate heartbreaking twist—loving and losing, over and over again.
Addie's story is filled with longing—a deep, aching desire to matter, to be remembered. Schwab’s poetic writing brings Addie’s journey to life, making you feel every triumph and heartbreak she endures. It’s perfect for the part of you that feels nostalgic about love, that understands the loneliness of giving everything and having nothing left. It’s a story that will have you clutching your chest, much like that infamous car ride Taylor sang about, where the silence said more than words ever could. Addie’s resilience and her determination to leave her mark on the world make this story unforgettable.
6. Daisy Jones & The Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
If you crave the chaotic, glamorous rock star vibe, this one’s for you. Daisy Jones is giving pure "Red" energy—fiery, unapologetic, and living her life on the edge. Her love story with Billy Dunne is messy, intense, and absolutely unforgettable. It’s the same kind of chaos as singing along to "I Bet You Think About Me" at full volume because, let’s face it, you're not over it.
The book is written in an interview format, making it feel like you’re watching a documentary about the rise and fall of a legendary rock band. The highs are high, the lows are low, and Daisy herself embodies the recklessness and freedom that Taylor captures so well. Reid’s portrayal of the 70s rock scene is vivid, and the complex relationships between band members will keep you hooked. It’s for when you want to feel everything at once—when you want to dance around the room, heart aching, head spinning.
7. "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
If "State of Grace" could be a book, it would be The Night Circus. This book is an intricate dance of magic, love, and sacrifice, with an atmosphere that feels otherworldly. Much like Taylor’s lyrics, it’s a beautiful, whimsical, and emotional journey.
The story centers around a competition between two magicians, Celia and Marco, who are bound to a magical rivalry. But beneath the competition is a romance so captivating it feels like stepping into a dream. Morgenstern’s lush descriptions bring the enchanting circus to life, making you feel like you’re truly there. Celia and Marco's connection is magical and passionate, pulling at your heartstrings just like that perfect love Taylor sings about—one you know you'll never experience again, but it leaves you changed forever.
8. "Everything I Never Told You" by Celeste Ng
This one’s for the reflective moments—where you're trying to piece together the heartbreak, trying to make sense of everything that went wrong. Everything I Never Told You is a powerful, beautifully tragic story about a family in turmoil. It’s the book you read when you're deep in your thoughts, trying to process everything, much like those haunting echoes from "The Last Time."
Ng’s exploration of family dynamics, identity, and the pressure of expectations is both intimate and deeply moving. Lydia's family dynamics, their unspoken pain, and the small heartbreaks that accumulate over time remind us that it's often what we don't say that hurts the most. This novel is a bittersweet dive into relationships, identity, and the ache of trying to be seen—a perfect match for those days when you feel like heartbreak lingers in every corner. It’s a book that will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt misunderstood or carried the weight of unspoken words.
9. "One Day" by David Nicholls
This book is for those who believe in second chances and that love, no matter how lost, can find its way back. One Day follows Emma and Dexter over twenty years, and the on-again, off-again nature of their relationship is as poignant as that "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" anthem.
Each chapter revisits their lives on the same day each year, giving us a glimpse into how they change and grow, and how their paths cross and diverge. The timeline of their relationship, and the choices they make, feels like a journey through the ups and downs of loving someone who you can’t always be with. Nicholls’ writing is both humorous and heartbreaking, capturing the essence of real-life love—messy, imperfect, and often full of missed opportunities. It’s about finding each other, losing each other, and maybe, just maybe, finally getting it right. It’s a reminder that some people leave and come back, and maybe, in the end, we all just want to begin again.
10. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez
Florentino Ariza waits over fifty years for his true love—and if that doesn’t scream Red, I don’t know what does. This novel captures the idea of love as an obsession, as a journey, and as something that endures even as it changes. There is something beautifully tragic about a love that stretches across decades, through heartbreak and healing. It's the ultimate ode to undying passion, perfectly capturing the wistful nostalgia of Red.
And there you have it: a reading list that embodies the highs and lows, the heartbreaks and the hope, and everything Red makes us feel.
So what do you think? Do any of these books make your heart skip a beat, or have you curling up for a night in, Taylor Swift playlist on repeat? Let me know in the comments: which book makes you feel like you're living in your very own Red era?