If you’re having trouble deciding what to read next, let the stars (and the Library!) help you decide. The 12 signs of the zodiac, ancient in origins, help us to understand the complex and emotional journey of being human. If you don’t know your astrological sign, it will be whatever date below corresponds with your birthday.
Yes, Aries is represented by the ram, but if you look at the glyph used to depict the animal’s curving horns it also looks like the first green sprouts you see emerging from the cold, snowy earth in springtime. Being the first sign of the zodiac, Aries always marks the beginning of something, springing into action, and an intense enthusiasm. When looking for books, look for ones with brave and energetic heroes, or fast-paced adventures.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
Honor by Thrity Umrigar
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Lucky by Marissa Stapley
If you’re looking for Aries authors, look no further than Maya Angelou, Leigh Bardugo, Barbara Kingsolver, Anthony Horowitz, Louis L’Amour, and Jennifer Weiner.
I like to think of Leos as the equivalent of a fireplace: warm, inviting, the central gathering point for friends and family. Leos have a natural ability to bring people together. Combine that with their sense of humor, flair for the dramatic, and sense of pride, they make easy and exciting friends. When looking for books, go for bold, strong characters that love to stand out and that have a certain charisma that draws people into the fold.
Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi
Fight Night by Miriam Toews
If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
Famous Leo authors include Madeline Miller, Suzanne Collins, J.K. Rowling, Ray Bradbury, Sue Monk Kidd, and Stieg Larsson.
Sagittarius is the traveler of the zodiac, in all respects. Sagittarians love to visit new places, experience new things, and dive into a variety of philosophies in a never-ending quest for knowledge and discovery. Ever hear the phrase “Shoot from the hip?” Represented by the centaur, Sagittarius rules the hips. Sagittarians are extremely vocal and willing to immediately share their thoughts on anything and everything. When looking for books, choose ones with rich, lush locations and ones with thought-provoking questions.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall
Lizzie & Dante by Mary Bly
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
God of Mercy by Okezie Nwoka
If you’re looking for a Sagittarius author, try Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen, C.S. Lewis, Mark Twain, Lucy Maud Montgomery, and Ann Patchett.
Being an earth sign, Taurus is known for being well-grounded in the physical world. Taurus is all about the senses and curating the best quality stuff. They’re more than happy to indulge in an elaborate meal or bubble bath. A Taurus can be slow to act but once they get the motivation, watch out! Nothing can stop them. When looking for books, go for ones that feature determined characters or some of the sweeter pleasures in life. Work hard, play hard.
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
The Gown by Jennifer Robson
A Net for Small Fishes by Lucy Jago
Taurus authors include Harper Lee, Jodi Picoult, Daphne du Maurier, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Terry Pratchett, and Charlotte Bronte.
Virgos are perfectionists; they love to create order out of chaos. They have keen observation skills, and they can be quite eloquent and thoughtful. A Virgo can piece together details when no one else can or find patterns when there seemingly are none, so look for books that feature a mystery to solve or that illustrate the subtle intricacies of everyday life.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
The Four Humors by Mina Seskin
The Women of Pearl Island by Polly Crosby
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
Virgo authors include Angie Thomas, George R.R. Martin, Orson Scott Card, Stephen King, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Agatha Christie.
If you want something done, ask a Capricorn. Symbolized by the mythological sea goat, there is no mountain a Capricorn cannot scale. Extremely independent and ambitious, Capricorns typically have a list of goals and they enjoy the hustle. Look for memoirs, biographies, or other books that will inspire wisdom and achievements.
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Educated by Tara Westover
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
Will by Will Smith
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Famous Capricorn authors include Michelle Obama, J.R.R. Tolkien, Donna Tartt, Junot Diaz, Nicholas Sparks, and Zora Neale Hurston.
There’s never a dull moment with a Gemini. Geminis are intensely curious, playful, and cerebral. Geminis are constantly bouncing from idea to idea, entertaining new hobbies and passions, and adapting to new things. I also find them to be the funniest of the zodiac. Being of the mind, new ideas and communication are important to Geminis. Look for books with sharp dialogue or clever plots that will fuel the imagination.
The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
The Finder of Forgotten Things by Sarah Loudin Thomas
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
You Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor & Janina Matthewson
Famous Gemini authors include Fredrik Backman, Andy Weir, Maria Semple, Louise Erdrich, Adam Silvera, and Ken Follett.
Scales symbolize justice, equality, and harmony. While they love to exchange ideas or join a lively debate, Libras seek the peace and balance of the scales. They’re known for being peacekeepers and mediators since they’re adept at seeing all points of view. Libras can talk for hours, they’re incredibly approachable after all, and they are known to invest deeply in their relationships. Look for books that are idealistic or charming, and that highlight the beauty in relationships.
Pizza Girl by Jean Kyoung Frazier
Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Beach Read by Emily Henry
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
Still Life by Sarah Winman
Fates & Furies by Lauren Groff
Libra authors include Kristin Hannah, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Roxane Gay, Ursula K. Le Guin, Nora Roberts, and Oscar Wilde.
Every Aquarian is a rebel and a visionary at heart. They have a knack for seeing the big picture and they’re open to a multitude of ideas and experiences. Ready to change the world at a moment’s notice, Aquarius is known for being the humanitarian of the zodiac. If an Aquarius feels they’re meant to change something on the planet, they will. Look for books with a spark of revolution, unusual plots or retellings, and characters with a deep desire to improve the world around them.
Violeta by Isabel Allende
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley
Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett
The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers
How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue
Famous authors born under the sign of Aquarius include Toni Morrison, Samantha Irby, John Grisham, Virginia Woolf, Marissa Meyer, and Casey McQuiston.
The crab perfectly represents the sign of Cancer: hard, tough exterior; soft, squishy inside. Cancers are very compassionate, protective, and loyal to the ones they love. Drawn to routines and comfort, a Cancer would much rather snuggle up with a book or have a movie night at home with a loved one instead of going out. Ruled by the Moon, Cancers are very intuitive and can assess the tone of a room instantly. Look for books with sweet, gentle characters, or ones that dive deep into emotion.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
Rules for Visiting by Jessica Frances Kane
Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks
Leonard and Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession
Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho
Authors born under the sign of Cancer include Markus Zusak, Elizabeth Gilbert, David McCullough, Ernest Hemingway, Cormac McCarthy, and Anna Quindlen.
Some of my favorite people are Scorpios and if you prove your loyalty to them, they make very devoted and passionate friends. Scorpios have an air of mystery and intensity about them that makes them hard to ignore. If you’re looking for a honest answer, ask a Scorpio. Their bluntness has no filter. They’re also great at keeping secrets. Profound thinkers, fearless, and intuitive, when a Scorpio wants something, they don’t hold back. Look for books with broody, intense characters or look for dark, moody mysteries.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
Scorpio authors include Anthony Doerr, Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, Liane Moriarty, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Holly Black.
If you’re a Pisces, you may have been called an old soul a time or two. Pisces are magical, soulful, and dreamy. They seem to have an endless source of creativity and empathy for others, and a sense of wisdom that runs incredibly deep. The glyph associated with Pisces is two fish swimming in opposite directions, reflecting the duality and internal struggle of this water sign. Pisceans want to chase big dreams, but they can easily wander and be pulled in different directions. Look for books that feature magical realism, fantasy, or beautiful language that you can get lost in.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
The Pisces by Melissa Broder
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano by Donna Freitas
Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Authors born under the sign of Pisces are Rainbow Rowell, Gillian Flynn, Sally Rooney, Khaled Hosseini, Lindy West, and Amanda Gorman.
Read it or Weep 