Perfect Book Recs by Zodiac!
Contributed by BookGive volunteer, Maya Strausberg.
We all love to take those magazine quizzes or online polls that are supposed to tell us about ourselves. Horoscopes that describe our perfect romantic match. Our ideal wine and cheese pairings based on our favorite Halloween candy. Our favorite Christmas movies because of the first letter of our names.
There’s a reason these are popular: they make us feel seen and they make us feel part of a group. Also, they’re just fun!
So at BookGive, we thought we’d get on the bandwagon! Here are book styles and recommendations based on the signs of the Zodiac. Use this helpful guide to finish up your holiday gifting (stop by the Free Book Room!) or get a head start on your own 2023 reading list!
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Aries are born leaders, thanks in part to their ambition, honesty and competitiveness. That’s why memoirs and biographies are a great choice. And while world leaders may be the obvious choice, anyone can offer life lessons for bold Aries.
Actor and comedian Tiffany Haddish’s memoir, The Last Black Unicorn, is both funny and heartbreaking and makes a wonderful read about the bold personality herself. Bonus: check out the audiobook read by Haddish, which is drenched in emotion.
Becoming Kareem is a memoir for Aries himself Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and highlights how he went from a New York kid struggling with racism to a basketball star inspired by fellow activists over the years. Although written for teens, this book is for anyone looking for their own inspiration.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Taurus loves all things decadent, luxurious and indulgent. So they should consider books that go into aching detail about food and scenery.
Tahir Shah’s The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca will transport you to Morocco and will throw you in the deep end of culture shock. As a travel writer, Shah knows how to describe details of meals, architecture and even local bureaucracy.
Taste: My Life Through Food is Stanley Tucci’s ode to the Italian cooking that shaped him. It’s filled with love for food and family.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Playful and curious, Gemini is always busy, filling their calendars and checking off their to-do list. Gemini would do well with books with alternating narrators, as this will help them see all sides.
The Vegetarian by Han Kang is a perfect example of a book that weaves together stories from different perspectives. Set in Seoul, South Korea, the story begins simply as a women decides to become a vegetarian.
Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl is also told from multiple perspectives, alternating between a husband and wife after the wife goes missing from their small town. Bonus: Flynn has multiple books told in this style if you enjoy this one.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
While sometimes considered sensitive and moody, Cancer values family and home above all else. Epic stories told over numerous generations are sure to be a hit for this crab sign.
Isabel Allende is known for her sweeping multi-generational novels, but perhaps none is more quintessential than The House of the Spirits. The book takes place in Chile and follows the dramatic ups and downs of the Trueba family.
Want something more recent? Colorado’s own Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s new book Woman of Light takes place in Denver in the 1930s but looks back on the main character’s family and their experience being Latinx in the harsh West.
Leo (July 23-August 22)
Confidence and drama are two words often associated with fiery Leo. So why fight it? Go big or go home is what Leo desires so over-the-top dramas are just what they might like to fuel their inner fire.
Really any Liane Moriarty read will do, but The Husband’s Secret is a great place to start. Filled with secrets (of course) and intrigue, this book by the author of Big Little Lies brings all the drama.
Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos is such an epic classic, it has inspired a number of movies, plays, ballets, operas and a brand new TV series. The book is set just before the French Revolution and focuses on the romantic exploits of bored nobility.
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
Considered hard-working and focused, Virgo may want their books to offer relaxation and escape, something they may not give themselves enough of. And while rom-coms may not come to mind for Virgo, they may be surprised how much they enjoy the endings tying everything up neatly.
A non-binary love story, Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander has both humor, romance and descriptions of delicious food. It somehow feels both modern and timeless.
Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Project is not your typical rom-com because Don is not your typical narrator. In fact, he’s non-neurotypical, which can make finding a wife difficult for him. But that’s ok, because he’s put together a survey to find the perfect partner, which in his mind is foolproof.
Libra (September 23-October 22)
Always the diplomat, Libra looks for balance and fairness and they appreciate their relationships. This makes historical fiction a great option for Libra because it offers both a basis in fact and the escapism of fiction.
Although a seasoned non-fiction and comic book author, Ta-Nehisi Coates tries his hand at a novel with The Water Dancer. He tells the story of Hiram, an enslaved boy with a special gift that enables him to help others gain freedom. But his own trauma is hard to escape.
The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant, is everything that historical fiction is meant to be: a glimpse into a life story told from a unique perspective, one that can only be imagined. Although based on the story of The Bible, it is seen from the eyes of the women whose stories went untold.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
Both alluring and stubborn, passionate and elusive, Scorpio is forever a mystery. You may see this one coming but mysteries themselves are the perfect pairing for Scorpios.
Perfect for the most stubborn Scorpio, we suggest the queen of mystery Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. It’s a classic whodunnit set on a train and if you’ve already read it and you loved it, you can move on to Death on the Nile. There’s a reason she’s the best-selling novelist of all time.
In Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson, Claudia’s best friend is missing and when no one else seems to care, she decides to take the search on herself. This YA novel mixes intrigue with social issues.
There are always plenty of nearly-new hard cover and paperback mystery/thrillers at the BookGive Free Book Room. Who know’s what you’ll find?
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
Sagittarius loves to expand their mind and are constantly craving knowledge and exploration. The archer sign will get a kick out of stranger-than-fiction history books.
The Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson, uses the backdrop of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago to set the stage for a serial killer to lure in his victims. The story is both beautifully told and horrifying to believe.
In Janice P. Nimura’s Daughters of the Samurai, five young girls are sent by the Japanese government to the U.S. in 1871 to learn the ways of the West. A decade later, three return but may not bring back the lessons that were expected.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
Capricorn is willing to do what it takes to be successful and they know that can mean hard work and focus. This translates to career, relationships and beyond. Personal empowerment books can be a great tool for Capricorn, who can learn and enjoy themselves at the same time.
The Four Agreements was written by don Miguel Ruiz but was inspired by ancient teachings of the Toltec of Mexico. The four agreements are basic principles to guide you with your relationships with others and with yourself.
Jen Sincero wrote You Are a Badass to help people become more self-aware and confident in order to go get the things they want. Written with plenty of humor, it is a self-help book for people who hate self-help books.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Aquarius is known as the humanitarian of the zodiac. They want the world to be a better place and can march to the beat of their own drums. Social justice books would be a great benefit to Aquarius, whether they are non-fiction or fiction with an important take-away.
Just Mercy is Bryan Stevenson’s own story and experience of creating the Equal Justice Initiative to provide legal assistance for the wrongly condemned.
Malala Yousafzai wrote her memoir I Am Malala after her experience of nearly being killed for speaking out against the Taliban in Pakistan. She continues to fight for the right of girls to receive an education.
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
As the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces is said to benefit from all the lessons of the other signs. This makes them intuitive, sensitive, even mystical. And they are dreamers. That’s why Pisces can fully enjoy magical realism, bringing a little magic into our everyday lives.
Like Water for Chocolate, written by Laura Esquivel, is incredibly luscious in its magic, which the main character Tita imbues into her cooking.
Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a slim book but packs a punch. While the story of a man returning home for a funeral seems simple, it brings up memories of childhood that are terrifying and magical.
Find these and more at our sister store, The Bookies where 10% of book sales supports BookGive or try your luck with a visit to the Free Book Room.
Wondering if it’s okay to give used books as gifts? Read why giving used is cooler than ever, including even more great book recs!
