Taylor Swift: Unofficial Search & Find Biographies

Taylor Swift: Unofficial Search & Find Biographies by Gus Morais - 40 pages

Goodreads:

Are you ready for it? This one-of-a-kind biography takes you on a visual exploration of Taylor Swift’s groundbreaking career, celebrating every album era, iconic outfit, and unforgettable moment. From singing “Tim McGraw” at the start of it all to her Midnights confessionals, this book is packed with Easter eggs that only her most loyal fans will uncover.

Dive into masterfully illustrated spreads, each inspired by a pivotal era in Taylor’s life. Seek her out in the snake-adorned chaos of Reputation, find hidden treasures among the glitter-dusted allure of 1989, and follow a trail of butterflies and rainbows through the dreamy world of Lover. Each page brims with secret details Swifties will instantly recognize—can you spot the “13”s or the infamous cardigan? Don’t forget to look for cameos from Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin Button!

This isn’t just a game; it’s a love letter to Taylor’s evolution—from fearless teen to worldwide pop icon, through heartbreaks, triumphs, and re-recordings. Relive the defining moments that have shaped her narrative, from her first Grammy win to her iconic vault door teases and surprise album drops. Find your way through every glitter-drenched, heartbreak-tinged, revenge-laced era Taylor Swift has gifted us. Swipe on that red lipstick, put on your headphones, and start your scavenger hunt—because where Taylor goes, we follow.

Try Not to Die: At Dethfest: An Interactive Adventure by Mark Tullius and Glenn Hedden

 

Try Not to Die: At Dethfest: An Interactive Adventure by Mark Tullius and Glenn Hedden - 286 pages

STEP INTO THE WORLD OF HEAVY METAL AND PREPARE FOR AN ELECTRIFYING, BONE-SHATTERING ADVENTURE. You and your friends arrive at Dethfest – the wildest metal festival of the year – expecting an evening of crushing guitar riffs, the heaviest headbanging bands, and a whole lot of partying. But as the music blares and the crowd roars, freak accidents, fights, and arrests occur across the festival. Tess is acting strange, and Kyle's talking conspiracies, but Luna seems to like you and is down to stay for the headliners. Faced with riots, stabbings, and the odd act of cannibalism, you'll need to use all your wits and make careful choices if you want to drag your friends out of this mess in one piece. Something sinister is going down at this festival – and as things become increasingly dark and twisted, you'll be forced to question if this night of partying was the worst mistake of your life... THIRTY WAYS TO DIE. JUST ONE CORRECT PATH. DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE? This interactive adventure is packed with twists and turns, heart-pumping action, and plenty of opportunities to make choices that could be your last. Fans of horror, suspense, and heavy metal will love this thrilling ride through the dark side of the music scene. So put on your blackest clothes, grab your ticket, and get ready to rock out - because the stakes have never been higher than they are at Dethfest.

A quick read; you can see how many different ways the characters die, or truly try not to die; it's up to you!   Some of the options I thought would keep me alive ended up killing the characters so I enjoyed the twists.  Action packed from beginning to end.

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears, 277 pages

​I didn't read this book for salacious details; I read it to hear about Britney's struggles in her own words.  This is a powerful read. It begins innocuously enough, but before long, the story takes on unbearable weight. Britney's candor, coupled with her rawness and humor, paint an indelible picture. 

 

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid -- 368 pages

For a while, Daisy Jones & The Six were everywhere. Their albums were on every turntable, they sold out arenas from coast to coast, their sound defined an era. And then, on 12 July 1979, they split. Nobody ever knew why. Until now. They were lovers and friends and brothers and rivals. They couldn't believe their luck, until it ran out. This is their story of the early days and the wild nights, but everyone remembers the truth differently.

The only thing they all know for sure is that from the moment Daisy Jones walked barefoot onstage at the Whisky, their lives were irrevocably changed. Making music is never just about the music. And sometimes it can be hard to tell where the sound stops and the feelings begin.

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas -- 464 pages

Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of her neighborhood one day. As the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he hit big, Bri’s got big shoes to fill. But now that her mom has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are as much a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. With bills piling up and homelessness staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it—she has to make it.

On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; of the struggle to become who you are and not who everyone expects you to be; and of the desperate realities of poor and working-class black families. 

My Favorite Souvenir by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

My Favorite Souvenir by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland -- 367 pages

My planned trip for two unexpectedly turned into a trip for one. Rather than let my breakup get me down, I packed my bags and decided a week at a luxury resort was just what I needed. But one calamity after the next, and suddenly I was stuck without a hotel room, along with a few hundred other people. It looked like my fancy vacation was about to turn into me sleeping on the hotel lobby floor. Until I overheard a gorgeous man pretending to be someone he wasn’t in order to steal a reservation from a guest who hadn’t shown up yet. When I realized there were two rooms, instead of calling him out, I pretended to be his sister. That’s how the story of “Milo and Maddie Hooker” began. We were the Hookers.

My depressing trip quickly made a U-turn into an adventure. My fake brother spent the next few days showing me around his hometown. When it was time to leave, neither of us really wanted to go yet. So, instead of flying back to our respective homes, we ventured on a road trip. At every stop, we’d pick up souvenirs. But as hot as our chemistry was, we never crossed the line. Milo knew I’d just come out of a tough relationship and didn’t want to mess with a vulnerable woman. So instead, at the end of our trip, we made a pact to meet again in three months.

It was always my intention to meet him. But when I got back home, reality hit in a big way. And I worried I may have lost my handsome stranger forever. Was there a place for him in my future? Or had the memory of him just become my favorite souvenir?

The Hate of Loving You by Maya Hughes

The Hate of Loving You by Maya Hughes -- 438 pages

Six years ago, in the dead of night, I woke up to a cold bed and an even colder future without her.

I would’ve followed her anywhere and she left. I thought I’d moved on and left all she meant to me behind. But a first love is never easy to forget. Even harder when I once felt our love is inevitable--inescapable. And I’ve been proven right once again.

One night brings us back together and derails our lives. We’re sent on a collision course with a future apart and even scarier--a future together. I’m back basking in the warm glow of her gaze and burning with the unquenchable fire of her touch.

We’ve walked this path before and our shattered hearts have been pieced back together. As easy as it would be to run again, I can’t stop wanting her. This is our final chance to have what we’ve always wanted--each other. Or it’ll be our ruin.

The Sin of Kissing You by Maya Hughes

The Sin of Kissing You by Maya Hughes -- 364 pages

I don’t deserve her forgiveness, but I can’t stop fighting for it.

Bay ran from me four years ago and I can’t blame her. I broke her heart and my own with one split second mistake.

Now we’re thrown together for four weeks. Training camp after the draft is the final step to cement my pro football career, but after seeing her again, she’s the only future I want.

If I were a better guy, I’d walk away and let her live her life. Maybe I haven’t learned my lesson yet because I can’t stop thinking about her. And I won’t stop until she knows how much I still love her. The sins of my past are hard to run from, but I’ll battle every single one, if it means one more chance with her.

Maybe Now by Colleen Hoover

Maybe Now by Colleen Hoover -- 296 pages

What is more important? Friendship, loyalty or love?
Colleen Hoover and Griffin Peterson collaborate once again to bring fans of Maybe Someday back into the musical world of Ridge and Sydney.
And Maggie.
And Warren and Bridgette.

This is a follow-up to the NYT bestselling novel, Maybe Someday. It should be read after Maybe Someday and the novella spinoff, Maybe Not in the series.

The Beat Match by Kelly Siskind

 The Beat Match by Kelly Siskind -- 318 pages

Two DJs. One beat. An off-limits romance neither of them expected.

Weston Aldrich is known for his devastating looks and crisp Italian suits. He's been groomed to take over his family business and is on the brink of closing a massive merger. Only two wild cards can derail him.

Wild Card One: If anyone learns he moonlights as a masked DJ, his credibility will be toast.
Wild Card Two: Annie can’t-hold-a-job Ward.

The Annie Ward he promised to help raise after her brother died. The scatterbrained girl who makes it her mission in life to drive him crazy. The gorgeous woman he’s not supposed to fantasize about, let alone kiss.

Annie hates Wes’s insanely overprotective nature, and how his ridiculous bone structure makes him look like a Greek god. His jokes about her plethora of jobs are beyond irksome. She has no plans to tell him about her latest aspiration, to match beats as a budding DJ. Until she learns what Wes does at night. Now she plans to prove Weston Aldrich has met his match.

Given, Volume 2 by Natsuki Kizu

 Given, Volume 2 by Natsuki Kizu - 186 pages

Love of music unites the four members of the band Given: hotheaded guitarist Uenoyama, playboy drummer Akihiko, gentle bassist Haruki, and Mafuyu, a singer gifted with great talent and burdened by past tragedy. Their struggles and conflicts may drive them apart, but their bond to the music—and to each other—always brings them back together again.

As the band races toward their first live concert, Mafuyu struggles to write lyrics for their new song but can’t find the words to express the emotions burning within him. Meanwhile, Uenoyama hears rumors about Mafuyu’s past and is bewildered by his own feelings. The tension builds until the night of the show, when the band explodes into a raging, life-changing performance.

Given, Volume 1 by Natsuki Kizu

 Given, Volume 1 by Natsuki Kizu - 202 pages

Love of music unites the four members of the band Given: hotheaded guitarist Uenoyama, playboy drummer Akihiko, gentle bassist Haruki, and Mafuyu, a singer gifted with great talent and burdened by past tragedy. Their struggles and conflicts may drive them apart, but their bond to the music—and to each other—always brings them back together again.

Ritsuka Uenoyama is bored with it all—with school, with his basketball club, and even with his one true passion: playing guitar. That is, until the day he finds his favorite hidden napping spot occupied by a strange boy cradling a broken-stringed guitar. At first, Uenoyama is nonplussed by Mafuyu Sato and his slightly odd behavior, but when, on a whim, he asks Mafuyu to sing, the power of that song pierces him to the core.

Midnight Blue by L.J. Shen

Midnight Blue by L.J. Shen -- 370 pages

It should have been easy.
I needed the money. He needed a babysitter to keep him from snorting himself to death.
I was cherry-picked especially for him. Responsible. Optimistic. Warm. Innocent.
The worst part is that I should have known better.
Alex Winslow. British rock star. Serial heartbreaker. Casanova with whiskey eyes.
“Don’t get near the devil in a leather jacket. He’ll chew you up and spit you out.”
Guess what? I didn’t listen.
I signed the contract.
World tour. Three months. Four Continents. One hundred shows.
My name is Indigo Bellamy, and I sold my soul to a tattooed god.
Problem was, my soul wasn’t enough for Alex Winslow. He ended up taking my body, too.
Then he took my heart.
Then he took my all.

As Dust Dances (Play On #2) by Samantha Young

As Dust Dances (Play On #2) by Samantha Young -- 446 pages

Once upon a time Skylar Finch was the lead singer of a hugely successful American pop-rock band. But fame made her miserable. When years of living a lie suddenly ended in tragedy, Skylar fell off the map.

Eighteen months later she’s sleeping in a tent in a cemetery in Glasgow, making just enough money to eat by busking on the streets. She manages to avoid recognition, but not the attention of one of Glasgow’s ambitious A&R executives.

Killian O’Dea works at Skyscraper Records, Scotland’s most successful record label. Raised by his uncle and owner of the label, Killian’s upbringing would have been devoid of affection entirely if it wasn’t for his loving sister. Killian is unflinchingly determined to bring the label more success than ever, and the young homeless woman who busks on Buchanan Street is going to help him do that. Her music speaks to him in a way he refuses to over-analyze. All he knows is that if it can touch his dark soul, it’ll set everyone else’s alight.

Skylar makes it clear that she doesn’t want to sign with him. But when she experiences the dangerous reality of a woman sleeping rough, Skylar has no one else but Killian to turn to. An undeniable connection forms between them. But Skylar doesn’t want the career Killian is trying to forge for her, and when her past comes back to haunt her Killian will be faced with a decision that could ruin him. He must either free Skylar from his selfish machinations and destroy everything he’s ever worked for, or lose a woman who has come to mean more to him than he ever thought possible…

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli - 343 pages

Leah feels as if she doesn't fit in.  Her family is just her mom who is obsessed with Leah and her friends high school experience.  Her friends are paired off into couples making her always feel like a third wheel.  And she can't seem to let anyone know that she is bisexual . . . especially Abby the girl she's had a crush on for a couple years.

This is the sequel to Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.  It focuses on Leah and Abby, two of Simon's best friends.  While I did enjoy this story, I didn't like it as much as the first story.  This is probably because Leah just isn't as likable a character.  She's very awkward and uncomfortable in her skin.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman - 481 pages


In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, this will change the way you look at life, love, and family.

A spirit wandering about seeing her own body, knowing she lost her parents and brother in a car crash.  She has to decide whether she should fight for life or death as the machines keep her alive.

A very different sort of story but it kept me "just" enough interested to finish.

Madonna, The Illustrated Biography by Marie Clayton

Madonna, The Illustrated Biography by Marie Clayton, 223 pages

Given that Madonna has been in the national news in the past few weeks, it seemed like an appropriate time to read up on Madonna. Madonna Louise Ciccone was born August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan.  Her mother died of cancer when Madonna was only five.  This may be an event that lead her to pursue dance and music in New York City.  Madonna has always seemed to lead a controversial life from her marriages (one to actor Sean Penn) and her conception of her first child out of wedlock and then the recent custody battle over her teenage son in addition to the children she has adopted from foreign countries.  I have always been a fan of her music throughout her career, but maybe not always her political beliefs.  The pictures in this book are magnificent, highlighting her many tours, movies, and songs.  This book covers her life up until the year 2009.  One fact I had not known about Madonna, is that she has written a few children's books.  I believe Madonna will always be a major part of pop culture.

Lost Melody by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith

Lost Melody by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith -- 315 pages

Since the subway accident, Jillian King hasn't played piano. The scars on her left hand and the pain in her hip remind her almost constantly of the amazing delight and career that she lost.
It's true that her mind hasn't fully recovered, but she is certainly moving in the right direction, when she begins to have a dream over and over. Each time she wakes, she is filled with certainty of a coming disaster and a compulsion to warn people.
Is it just late signs of PTSD, as her fiance, Greg, believes? Or is there actually a coming disaster?

I listened to the audiobook. The narration was fine, but the story I found to be mediocre.

Siren's Call by Jayne Castle

Siren's Call by Jayne Castle - 323 pages

Ella Morgan is a siren talent.  She can sing at wavelengths capable of suppressing another person's energy.  She's exactly who Rafe Coppersmith needs to deal with the dinosaur problems on Rainshadow Island.  The only problem is that Ella isn't in a forgiving mood after Rafe disappeared on her three months ago.

This is the latest book in Jayne Castle's Rainshadow series.  I definitely enjoyed the book.  It was a great listen on audio.  I did think the ending seemed a tad rushed and that it seemed that it needed more to complete the story.

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom, 496 pages

Mitch Albom writes mostly inspirational fiction. In his newest book, he writes the life story of gifted guitarist Frankie Presto. Narrated by the voice of music, Frankie Presto is a Spanish war orphan raised by his blind music teacher.  Frankie is sent off to America with his only possession, an old guitar with six magical strings.  The strings turn blue when some one's life is altered. Along life's road, Frankie has some interesting adventures, where he ends up influencing some of the world's most famous musicians. This book will leave you both amazed and in tears. With many twists and turns, this book is a good read for this time of year.