It is no surprise to anyone who knows me that I am a huge Taylor Swift fan. In fact, on my Spotify Wrapped this year, she was the only singer who made my list - as I typically use Spotify for background music when I am writing. So from the moment the book was announced, I knew I was going to buy it. In fact, I even left my brother's birthday party in the middle to go pick up the book - but don't worry, I did go back to his party.
The pictures are wholly the reason to buy it. They are broken down by Taylor's various Eras - showing off the different outfits she has worn throughout the tour. In addition, the way the lyrics to her songs matched the vibes of her outfits was perfect. Obviously, the lyrics go with the songs she was singing in these pictures, however, she managed to pick the lyrics that best fit the aesthetic. I loved that about the book, as it was designed to have a scrapbook feel. I've always been a fan of this kind of aesthetic, even though I cannot put a scrapbook together for the life of me - and trust me I've tried.
Now, I was slightly disappointed by how little text was in the book. When the book was first announced, the media took off with her announcing she would be sharing her personal reflections on the tour within the book. Many talked about how Taylor would be adding "author" to her numerous other accolades, and I think I got too swept up in the hype. I had been hoping she would have shared behind-the-scenes stories, little-known facts about the tour, and various other anecdotes about the process. However, this book is what I call a "text-lite" book. Outside of the introduction, there is very little that is written. There are some behind-the-scenes pictures, and I especially loved the ones showing her secretly prepping her Tortured Poets Department section. However, when it came to actual stories, there weren't any. With how much TTPD focused on the literary references and academic aesthetic, to me, I would have leaned a little more into that just as a way to close out her most recent era. However, I know that's not the case for everyone.
Overall, even with my disappointment, I still would have bought the book. I just would have managed some of my expectations a little differently. It is a beautiful showcase of everything The Eras Tour was to so many fans and allowed those of us who were unable to go to feel like we were in the front row watching her perform live. And I can't help going back and looking at the pictures again and again, seeing the joy on Taylor's face reflecting the same joy I feel when listening to her music.
The Eras Tour Book is exclusively available through Target