I am not a bona fide Swiftie. At least not yet. I remember buying the Fearless CD for my niece and burning myself a copy. I listened to it and found the countryish twang pleasant and some of the lyrics clever. But it didn’t have me impatient for her next album. Over the years I became familiar with some of her songs like Blank Space, Shake it Off. But it is only recently that I have begun to listen more intently. That is due in part to several people whose opinions I respect who have lavished praise on her. And the Eras Tour phenomenen that has impacted in the media in recent weeks. (My current favourite song is August from the Folklore album.) And so I was quite interested to receive this activity book. On first reading it seemed that the author was a true, if recent, Swiftie and was possibly indulging his obsession and getting a publication deal to boot! Then I did some research and found that this same writer has produced similar activity books on David Attenborough, Dolly Parton - two on Dolly - Elton John and Michelle Obama! So his credibility diminished a bit. But I figure and hope that he is producing these books because he truly does admire the subjects. What he does do is understand the nature of fandom and how consuming it can be for devotees.
I think the book is aimed at a relatively young audience, certainly with some of the activities that involve colouring and designing, spot the difference, join the dots etc. There are some quizzes and word games too. For those not fluent in Swift lore there are facts, quotes and information a plenty so you leave the book feeling better informed than when you began. And I guess for the experienced Swifties it might satisfy the withdrawal symptoms of the Eras tour being over and fill a gap till the next album maybe. It's fun and could wile away an hour or two. It is unofficial, though, and not endorsed by Taylor Swift, although I’m sure she would think it fun, and there are only drawings, no photos.
A fact I uncovered, which isn’t in this book I don’t think, is that Taylor Swift is the third cousin, six times removed, of Emily Dickinson. I feel pleased about that and it endears her to me more. I am Enchanted.
My thanks to HQ stories for a gifted copy.
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