By The Catcall Team
If your to-be-read (TBR) list is anywhere near as long as ours, deciding what to read next is one of life’s more difficult decisions. To make it easier on you, we decided to find some reading recommendations that are written in the stars—so you can let fate decide what pages you should devour next. Want to buy any of these books? You can shop at Catcall Reads.
Aries — Mar. 21-Apr. 19
The first of the zodiac, Aries are natural leaders full of passion and fire. Like, literally fire. And we’re not just talking that their element is fire—Aries is ruled by the planet Mars. Named after the Roman god of war, Mars’s influences make for aggression, anger, passion, and courage. So with all that heat (and impulsiveness), we recommend books with the energy and protagonists of leaders with a fire to light. From the chaotic lead Hazel from Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating who doesn’t apologize for who she is to the burn-it-to-the-ground attitude that slowly festers in the nuances of Little Fires Everywhere, these reads are just as hot as Aries are.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou
Taurus — Apr. 20-May 20
Ok Taurus, we know you’re stubborn. But that stubbornness also shows in your loyalty, patience, stability, and support. With unwavering morals, Tauruses are grounded Earth signs who are deeply rooted in their beliefs. Like Libras, they’re ruled by Venus—the planet of love and desire—making them charming and confident. Learning to change is a struggle Taurus faces, but they’re more than capable of it—and these books are a reminder of exactly that. A Man Called Ove’s leading curmudgeony character is stuck in his ways until new neighbors take him in and challenge him to open up and let love in. Uprooted puts wild Agnieszka together with the reclusive Dragon wizard of their small town to face a corrupted Wood—and break all the rules of magic to do it.
A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman
The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade
Gemini — May 21-Jun. 20
These lovable air signs are known to be playful, social, and curious. As passionate, impulsive, and indecisive individuals, they tend to juggle loads of hobbies and passions. They aren’t big on sticking to a routine and may struggle to follow a single career path. Geminis love fresh and exciting experiences, and absorb information quicker than the average bear. They’re ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, and it shows. Geminis tend to be extroverted and love to switch up with their social settings. Being able to relate and keep up with a variety of people, you’ll find them meshing well with multiple friend groups. This sign won’t be able to put down reads full of outgoing characters like those found in Daisy Jones and the Six and It Happened One Summer.
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements, Onjuli Datta
Cancer — Jun. 21-Jul. 22
Ruled by the moon, Cancers are known to be quite emotional—while you may consider them cry babies, they’re much more than that. Cancers are incredibly emotionally intelligent, nurturing, and empathetic. Their element is water, which is considered the feminine or yin energy of emotion. This gives Cancers the ability to feel emotions at a deeper level, allowing them to connect with others’ emotions very well. Books like The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune offer Cancers exactly what they need to connect: unconditional love, raw emotions, and a little bit of magic. Not a fan of fantasy? Poet and writer Ocean Vuong writes a beautiful prose in On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, sharing an earth-shattering letter from son to mother.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Blankets by Craig Thompson
Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Leo — Jul. 23-Aug.22
Leos are natural leaders full of confidence and ambition. Ruled by the sun, this fire sign has no problem being the center of attention. They enjoy a little drama here and there, but this doesn’t indicate a lack of caring instincts. Leos are protective, loyal, and generous, both in and out of the bedroom. Leos tend to be attracted to other strong and intelligent fire signs, and many find them irresistible. With this sign, expect a life full of laughs and lust. Leos will relate to determined characters who head out on a quest, or those who love life and spend their time looking after those close to them. That’s what makes stories like The Song of Achilles and Throne of Glass such perfect fits for this sign.
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Power by Naomi Alderman
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Virgo — Aug.23-Sep. 22
Virgos are in the details. While on the surface Virgos come off as organized and analytical, crack under their surface and you’ll find immesurable loyalty and kindness. Grounded earth signs, Virgos are ruled by Mercury—named after the messenger of the gods—with the influence of expression and relationships. To inspire Virgos to dig below that outer shell, we chose books that challenge readers to look within and reflect. Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library lands protagonist Nora in a magical library that exists between life and death, forcing her to reaccess her life choices. Tools of Engagment challenges always-put-together Bethany to get a little dirty—both physically and emotionally. These reads will remind you that your gooey center isn’t that far away.
Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy
Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey
The Roomate by Rosie Danan
Libra — Sep. 23-Oct. 22
Raise those scales, Libras. The sign most associated with fairness and peace, Libras are air signs with a penchant for partnership. They’re incredible lovers and friends, only aided by their ruling planet Venus—named after the god of love, beauty, desire, and sex. With justice and love top of mind, we pulled some books that balance out Libras. Love and Other Words is a friends-to-lovers story told in alternating timelines about learning to use the right words—after avoiding them for so long. The Hate U Give is a YA justice-driven take on systemic racism and police violence that follows teen Starr Carter. Libra’s, we’re hoping these books will remind you that sometimes confrontation is worth it.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
The Devel Wears Black by L.J. Shen
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Scorpio — Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Scorpio is the most intense sign in the zodiac—and for good reason. They often represent death and rebirth, as well as sexual energy. The planets of Mars and Pluto rule Scorpios, giving the sign a fiery, passionate animalistic energy. Despite what it may sound like, Scorpios actually are water signs—giving them a feminine touch to all that masculine energy from its ruling planets. Books written for Scorpios include the well-known classic The Secret History by Donna Tartt this book follows a group of university students as they discover a new way of thinking and living, leading them to corruption, betrayal, and evil. Of course, it wouldn’t be a book list for scorpios without mentioning something a little sexy, and A Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen has it all: forced marriage tropes, spies, yearning, and light sexiness.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
Her Body and Other Parties: Stories by Carmen Maria Machado
If We Were Villians by M.L. Rio
Sagittarius — Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Brave, outgoing, and positive are just a few ways to describe the lucky Sagittarius. This fire sign is ruled by Jupiter—the planet of positivity and optimism. Sagittariuses often look for freedom wherever they can get it. While they are generally positive people, they can often speak bluntly. They like to take risks and go on adventures—much like Sagittarius author herself Joan Didion. Her memoir Slouching Towards Bethlehem, Didion examines the optimism of the 60s with growing cynicism and skepticism about the government. (Optimistic but taking no shit = Sagittarius to a T). Get your adventure on with Bryan Lee O’Malley’s comic series Snotgirl, a series about a gorgeous and fun-loving influencer who just so happens to have horrible allergies.
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
Snotgirl (a comic series) by Bryan Lee O’Malley
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Capricorn — Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Capricorns are dedicated individuals who succeed in many areas. Their drive and ambition often lead them to overachieve at whatever they put their minds to. This earth sign is ruled by Saturn, and can be impatient and sensitive. They’re old souls and realists who tend to be self-aware. Capricorns put a lot of energy into building a beautiful life for themselves. Basically, they get shit done and look good in the process. In Book Lovers, the main character Nora is a workaholic like you. Capricorns will relate to the energy she brings and enjoy the unlikely romance that plays out along the way.
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane – Lisa See
Book Lovers – Emily Henry
Cinder – Marissa Meyer
Malibu Rising – Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Bodyguard – Katherine Center
Aquarius — Jan. 20-Feb. 18
This sign is known for its eccentricity and spontaneity—often compared to an alien on earth. Despite what it sounds like, Aquarius is an air sign, giving this group of people a very logical way of thinking. Two planets rule this sign Uranus, leading Aquarians to be imaginative and free; however, the planet Saturn brings a slight lack of confidence that Aquarians may work to overcome throughout their lives. Author Sayaka Murata is known for her take on weird characters—perfecting the unhinged women trope we all know and love. Natsuki goes through the highs and lows of childhood all while living life as a witch, creature, or alien from another planet in Murata’s Earthlings. This book is weird and no doubt made with Aquarians in mind.
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
The Atlas Six by Olivia Blake
Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
A Fate of Wrath & Flame by K.A. Tucker
Pisces — Feb. 19-Mar. 20
Compassionate and intuitive, Pisces are some of the very best friends to have as they’re brimming with empathy. Ruled by both Neptune and Jupiter, Pisces are the best of both worlds with a combination of Neptune’s mystery and Jupiter’s abundance. They’re all about duality, baby. Plus, as a water element, Pisces are in constant movement, and compared to the other water signs (Cancer and Scorpio), Pisces is the ending of cycles. With that, we’ve got books to recommend. Like Master of Crows, a love story featuring Martise who embodies empathy and deep, emotional connection.
Master of Crows – Grace Draven
Hook, Line, and Sinker – Tessa Bailey
The Stand-In – Lily Chu
Beach Read – Emily Henry
You can get all these books and more at Catcall Reads, an online bookstore powered by Bookshop.org with a mission to financially support local, indie bookstores.