This book has been a slight thorn in my side these past couple of weeks. Before the television show came out, I saw a trailer and said, “Oh, I’m going to read that before the show comes out.” But then it seemed like it came out the next day, so I barely had time to try to read it.
It seemed like all of the podcasts that I normally listen to were talking about it the weekend after it was released. So in my dedication to not spoil this book before I read it, I pretty much have a lineup of podcast episodes to listen to once I watch the show. Now that I’ve finally finished reading it, I have to wait for my sister in order to start watching the series. We’re planning on having her come over so we can binge watch it together.
To bide my time, I thought I would go through a discussion of the book. In my research, I found a fun reddit thread for a Taylor Swift inspired book club, and they chose this book back in June. Since I love Taylor Swift, I thought it would be fun to go through the questions for today’s blog post, especially since I’m also still waiting for the re-release for the rest of Taylor’s albums, or just more new music. I’ll take what I can get.
What Taylor Swift songs does the book remind you of? If you had to make a playlist for the book which Taylor songs would you put on it? Which Taylor era do you think the book best fits into?
So I combined question one and five because I thought that the questions were very similar. In regards to era, I think the book is very Fearless era, but I also want to say 1989. Fearless because the book takes place for a high school romance that is very “That’s the Way I Loved You”, “You Belong with Me”, and “Love Story”. I also think 1989 because “Style”, “This Love”, and “I Wish You Would” all make me think of how she’s kind of reflecting on all of these memories of the summer house.
Were there any passages or lines that reminded you of a Taylor Swift song/lyric? Were there any passages or lines that sounded like they could have been a lyric in a Taylor song?
This would be my list of quotes that could be lyrics:
- “It’s the imperfections that make things beautiful.”
- “Moments, when lost, can’t be found again.”
- “I wondered if it was possible to take someone’s pain away with a kiss. Because that was what I wanted to do, take all of his sadness and pour it out of him, comfort him, make the boy I knew come back.”
- “My whole life was measured in summers.”
- “I’d been lying to myself, thinking I was free, thinking that I had let him go. It didn’t matter what he said or did, I’d never let him go.”
- “…at night, you can say things you can’t say in real life.”
- “The old pull, the tide drawing me back in. I kept getting caught in this current—first love, I mean. First love kept making me come back to this, to him. He still took my breath away, just being near him. I had been lying to myself the night before, thinking I was free, thinking I had let him go. It didn’t matter what he said or did, I’d never let him go.”
Can any of the characters be represented by a Taylor Swift song? Do you have a favorite character, and which song best fits them?
Belly could probably be any and all Taylor Swift songs, even from Reputation. Something about the hopeless romantic in her and how emotional she is makes me think that she can adopt all of the songs.
I personally really liked Cam, and I feel like he is the epitome of “I Wish You Would”. It’s obvious that he was very into Belly, and maybe things ended awkwardly, but it seemed like he always noticed Belly. I’m sure he wishes that she returned his calls at some point, but it’s probably better for him that she didn’t. Especially since, for Belly, it’s always been Conrad.
Did any of the situations/relationships in the book remind you of an event/relationship from Taylor’s life?
For Belly and Susannah’s relationship, I would say “The Best Day”, which I believe is a song Taylor wrote about her own mom. In the book, Belly says that she has the best days in the summer when she’s at the beach house with her family and Susannah’s family. Susannah is the one that gives her the best life moments, has made her feel pretty, and seems to be the epitome of everything perfect for Belly.
What are your thoughts on The Summer I Turned Pretty? How does the streaming series compare to the book? Are you as excited as I am for more Taylor Swift music? I would love to know in the comments below!
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Love Always,
Kristi My
Kristi My Dao 