Here Are The Best Book Recommendations For Your Zodiac Sign
This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s fall editorial intern Raven Minyard. Find her on Instagram at @raven.minyard. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Readers are always looking for our next favorite book, but sometimes that book can be hard to find. There are so many factors at play when it comes to finding a new favorite read: plot, character, writing style, etc. Wouldn’t it be nice if the best books for you were written in the stars? Well, in a way, they might be! We at The Zillennial love pairing things with zodiac signs, so today we thought we’d give you book recommendations based on your star sign. We took a look at books across genres to find both plots and characters each sign would enjoy or relate to. Read on to see our book recommendations for each zodiac sign.
Aries — When Women Were Dragons
What could be better for the fiery Aries than a book about dragons? When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill is a feminist magical realism tale set in the 1950s. The story follows Alex Green, a young girl living through the aftermath of the Mass Dragoning of 1955, in which thousands of women across America transformed into dragons. Alex is left to wonder why these women transformed and what will happen to those left behind. This fantasy is perfect for Aries as it explores themes of feminine rage and what happens when women forcefully take up space in a world trying to keep them small.
Taurus — My Year of Rest and Relaxation
Tauruses are known for their love of all things lavish and luxurious, and what could be more luxurious than relaxing for a whole year? Turns out, a lot. My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh follows an unnamed narrator who should be leading a happy life: she’s young, pretty, has an easy job and has everything paid for by her inheritance. Despite having everything going for her, she still feels like something is missing and decides to “hibernate” for a year by over-medicating herself. If you’re a fan of dark humor and unlikeable characters, this is the book for you.
Gemini — The Vanishing Half
We all know Geminis are the twins of the zodiac, so don’t hate me for recommending a book about twins. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett follows the Vignes sisters, a set of identical twins who ran away from their small, southern Black community as teens. As adults, their lives couldn’t be more different. One sister returns to her hometown to raise her daughter, while the other passes for white and never lets her husband know about her past. The question remains of how the story will unfold when their own daughters’ paths intersect.
Cancer — On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is an emotional book for an emotional sign. Ocean Vuong’s first novel is a letter written by the speaker, a twenty-something known as Little Dog, to his mother who cannot read. It explores the love shared by a single mother and her son, as well as themes of race, class and masculinity. Vuong’s beautiful and emotional writing makes this the perfect read for loving and nurturing Cancers.
Leo — Yellowface
Leos are known for being confident, ambitious and attention-loving, but what if a character embodied all these traits in the worst way? Author June Hayward certainly believes herself to be the protagonist of her own story in R.F. Kuang’s satire Yellowface. June has always been jealous of literary darling Athena Liu; Athena’s writing is blowing up in the publishing world, while June is seen as mediocre at best. When June witnesses Athena’s freak death, she steals Athena’s manuscript about Chinese laborers and publishes it as her own, now using the racially ambiguous pseudonym of Juniper Song. Yellowface expertly explores themes of racism and social media while weaving a story told through the lens of an unreliable narrator.
Virgo — Seven Days in June
Any organized, goal-oriented and successful Virgo is certain to admire Eva Mercy from Tia Williams’s Seven Days in June. Eva is a single mom and successful romance author whose life gets turned upside down when Shane Hall, an award-winning novelist, shows up at an event fifteen years since she’d last seen him. The two had a fleeting romance as teenagers and have been secretly writing each other into their books ever since. Now that they’re together again, they must face their traumas and their lingering feelings for each other. This romance is perfect for Virgos because both characters have worked incredibly hard to get where they are in life and fight against their practical nature to rekindle their love.
Libra — Reputation
Charming and flirty Libras know exactly how important a good reputation is. Pitched as Bridgerton meets Mean Girls, Lex Croucher’s Reputation is a regency rom-com about falling in with the wrong crowd in a time when a lady’s reputation is everything. After being abandoned by her parents, Georgiana Ellers is tired of spending her summer with her boring aunt and uncle. Desperate to find a place to fit in, she quickly falls in with the wealthy and improper Frances, who leads her into a world of debauchery. However, Georgiana soon learns this life isn’t all she thought it was and begins wondering if she truly belongs with Frances and her friends. Social butterfly Libras are sure to empathize with Georgiana as she tries to find and remain true to herself while thriving in high society.
Scorpio — A Dowry of Blood
Dark, sexy and vengeful describe two things: Scorpios and A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson. This Dracula retelling follows Constanta, the first bride of Dracula, throughout her centuries-long life. As years pass and Dracula takes on other consorts, Constanta’s opinions of him begin to change as she uncovers his dark secrets. She must decide whether to take her fate into her own hands or continue living in Dracula’s shadows. This feminist revenge tale gives voice to all-but-forgotten characters, making it perfect for Scorpios.
Sagittarius — You, Again
Looking for a main character that embodies Sagittarius energy? Check out You, Again by Kate Goldbeck. This enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance is perfect for fans of When Harry Met Sally. Ari is a sarcastic, free-spirited struggling comedian with commitment issues. Josh is a distant and ambitious chef who wants nothing more than to find “the one” and settle down. From the moment they meet, they immediately dislike each other, but as their paths continue to cross over the years, they slowly begin a friendship that may just lead to more. Ari is such a fun, fiery character that Sagittariuses are sure to love and relate to.
Capricorn — Lessons in Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry’s protagonist Elizabeth Zott is sure to be a fan favorite with Capricorns. Bonnie Garmus’s best-seller follows Elizabeth through her years of being a chemist in the 1960s. After many trials and tribulations, Elizabeth eventually finds herself a single mother and a reluctant television star, hosting a cooking show called Supper at Six. Her unusual, scientific approach to the show leaves men outraged and women excited to change the status quo. Elizabeth’s determined and persistent attitude is sure to be a hit with Capricorns.
Aquarius — The City We Became
Intelligent and creative Aquariuses need something that appeals to both their intellectual and imaginative sides, and The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin does just that. In a world where cities are alive and become sentient through human vessels, New York City has fallen into a supernatural coma and vanished. Now, the five boroughs of the city come to life to discover what happened to New York and defeat the enemy trying to destroy the city. Jemisin’s plot is so unique and captivating that it would be hard for an Aquarius to stay away.
Pisces — The Starless Sea
Okay, yes, the word “sea” is in the title, but I promise this isn’t a book about fish. Pisces are described as dreamy, creative and imaginative, and nothing fits that description more than The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. When Zachary Ezra Rawlins finds a mysterious book in the library, he is shocked and confused when he finds a story from his childhood within its pages. The book’s secrets eventually lead him to a hidden library deep below the earth’s surface where Zachary continues to learn secrets about this magical world and his own life. Morgenstern’s writing is whimsical and magical, effectively weaving a tale perfect for Pisces.
We hope you enjoyed our book recommendations for each zodiac sign! Do you have any other recommendations? Let us know in the comments!