Last week, for the first time ever, Taylor Swift performed in Poland, while at the end of August, she will again visit London. Therefore, it is an ideal moment to talk about Karolina Sulej’s latest Empik bestseller, which became a hit more than a month before its premiere. And, it’s no wonder. There haven’t been any publications like that in the history of Polish writing. It suffices to say that, lately, Sulej filled this little niche with her new book.

Through “Era Taylor Swift,” the author explores Swift’s life and explains what exactly made her this stunning and independent spirit. It’s written with a certainly polished and approachable style, meaning that even the worst-informed Swifties or new listeners will be able not only to learn something more about the 34-year-old artist, but also not become confused by the certain doses of new, compelling information. 

Apart from the typical biographical chapter, Sulej discusses Swift’s position in the feminist context, or even interprets her songs and elaborates on their hidden meanings. It enables the readers to understand why her songwriting is so truly treasured by American critics and even scholars. Besides, the final part of the book is purely focused on various talks with Swift’s fans or people interested in Swift’s existence in modern pop culture. Presumably, the most interesting conversation is the one with a Polish musician, Mela Koteluk, where she shares her own takes on Swift’s career, lyrics and the way she approaches new musical genres on her latest albums.

Ultimately, it’s an absorbing title that will be a superb addition to some lonesome nights in the accompaniment of Swift’s latest music. You even don’t have to be her fan to fully appreciate this tiny gem of a book. If you devour pop culture and want to understand the latest music phenomena (meaning, of course, “TayTay,” as her fans tend to call her), Sulej’s investigation is the ideal summer escapade. Add “Era Taylor Swift” to your bookshelf and enjoy being Swiftie like the rest of us. 

4/5 stars

Author: Jan Tracz

Photos from the Warsaw concert: Caroline Byczynski