Sunday Collection: Taylor Swift & Butternut Squash Chili
plus Canadian books & upcoming films
On Thursday night, I took myself on a date to The Eras Tour movie at 8:30 p.m. ON A SCHOOL NIGHT. It felt so weird to be out past my toddler’s and, let’s be honest, my bedtime. There were only four or five people in Auditorium Three, and they were all younger than me. I know this because they did not dance in their seats to Red, Fearless, or 1989 and they did not sing along with the acoustic set of “Our Song” (a travesty). Come to think of it, they might not have been born when Taylor Swift’s debut album came out, but you know what? That's none of my business.
I was there to have fun, and so was Taylor. As she danced across the stage, it struck me—and please, hear this with the utmost respect because the woman is a gazillionaire and a songwriting genius—Taylor Swift dances on stage, in a stadium full of thousands, the way I danced in my friend’s basement when I was 13 years old. Her dancers are incredibly talented! No shade to her or her professional dancers. I think her dancing has come a long way over the years. But still, she uses dramatic gestures and acts out her lyrics much like my friends and I did at my 12th birthday party (it was a karaoke theme). No wonder Taylor’s music—not to mention the friendship bracelets, sparkly outfits, and allure of a Ken doll boyfriend—makes me feel like a girl again.
I’ve never identified as a “Swiftie” because I don’t collect her vinyls or posit theories about her relationships on TikTok—but I am a lifelong listener, and I love Taylor Swift in the same way my mom loves Rod Stewart and REO Speedwagon. I grew up alongside her music and can visualize when and where I listened to each album. I don’t stay awake until midnight to listen to her new songs, but I do press play on Spotify the next day. I didn’t have Eras Tour tickets, but I made time to see the movie because I knew it would bring me immense joy.
So…am I a Swiftie?
I can’t help but wonder if my reluctance to embrace Taylor Swift fanhood is the same as my past reluctance to embrace romance novels, a genre I unabashedly love but sometimes don't bring up when asked by a new acquaintance, “what do you like to read?”
I’m attuned to the ways in which misogyny subjugates girls’ and women’s interests to the belittled category of “guilty pleasures.” I do proudly proclaim my love of the romance genre on the internet, and I do my best to share romance novels on equal footing with the memoirs, literary fiction, and classic works. I just don’t know if I’ve fully arrived at a place where I feel comfortable proclaiming it in less romance-friendly spaces. Would I share my favorite Tessa Dare titles in mixed company, in an English department meeting or at a tailgate party? I don’t know.
In her most recent essay collection, Samantha Irby shares her strategy for dealing with the haters who make her feel insignificant (or basic) for liking what she likes. “I like it!” she declares with her whole chest. Not “I love it,” or “it's my favorite,” just “I like it.” Do I need to be a superfan in order to declare my appreciation for something society thinks is basic, mainstream, trendy, or *gasp* feminine? Maybe a confident “I like it!” is enough.
I like Taylor Swift!
I like reading romance novels! Yes, the sexy ones!
I like pumpkin spice lattes! And wearing cozy sweaters while sipping them!
A bunch of other things I liked last week
The Top Three
My toddler loves to sing. He’s always enjoyed story time singalongs or being sung to, but over the past week he suddenly burst out singing every song he knows. “Old Macdonald” is on constant repeat, “Wheels on the Bus” is a popular hit, and “Apples and Bananas” just popped up on his set list last night. He is cracking us up, and don’t worry I do have plenty of video capturing his sweet little voice, gestures, and enthusiasm.
I always find excellent book recommendations from the CBC. Their list of buzzworthy titles for fall just stacked up my TBR.
I usually describe my interior design taste as antique-focused or vintage-inspired, but maybe I should start calling it English cottage aspirational because I’m smitten with nearly every image from House & Garden UK (their Instagram is one of my favorite follows).