Aries loves to be number one – after all, they’re the first sign
of the zodiac. They’re a bold, determined bunch, driven by ambition
and spurred on by challenge. As the US presidential election looks
set to to be a fixture on our newsfeed for the foreseeable (aside
from the C-word), we suggest that Aries dives horns-first into the
first installation of Obama’s two-part memoir, which charts his
early political moves and first years in the White House.

This earth sign takes its cue from its spirit animal of the
bull, a creature that’s stubbornly loyal – Taureans make great
friends and partners – yet also love to wallow in nature. So, what
should they read? The Wild Silence, Winn’s follow-up to her 2018
bestseller, The Salt Path. (If you haven’t read it, you should.)
The second installation recounts what happened after homeless Winn
and her terminally diagnosed husband Moth finish walking the South
West Coast Path and start to rewild the land around a neglected
Cornish farmhouse.

Represented by the twin stars Castor and Pollux, Geminis are
dualistic in nature; adaptable, curious, social butterflies at
their best, two-faced at their worst. These are people who
appreciate a character with depth – a character such as Gifty, the
young scientist protagonist in Gyasi’s multi-layered second novel.
It’s a profoundly moving portrait of a family of Ghanaian
immigrants in Alabama that draws on the tension between cold, hard
facts and the fictions that can never be understood about the human
condition.

Nurturing, security-seeking and sensitive, Cancers are
best-known for being in their comfort zone at home. Nevertheless,
much like their crab symbol drifting between sea and shore, these
highly intuitive folk tend to have a good understanding of both our
physical and metaphysical realities. It’s an energy that flows
through Kaur’s third poetry collection which reflects on the past
and present, nature and nurture, love and self-acceptance in times
of change.

Fiery Leo is the lion king of the astronomical jungle. They’re
natural leaders – and it’s likely that they’ll enjoy books with a
strong, force-to-be-reckoned-with protagonist. We suggest leafing
through Dent’s autobiography, subtitled “a memoir of wanting more”.
It takes readers from her growing up eating beige food to becoming
one of the most-loved writers in the UK’s food scene or, as she
puts it: “from Frazzles to foie gras.” It’s a tale as toasty as
Leo’s warm heart and one that’s delicious enough to satisfy its
roaring appetite.

If there’s a sign that’s likely to be a member of the Thursday
Murder Club – a group of four octogenarian friends who meet once a
week to investigate unsolved murders – Virgo is it. Fact-loving and
analytical, they are the detectives of the zodiac and the most
likely to get lost in genres of crime, mystery and thrillers. In
Osman’s bestseller, a brutal murder takes place on the club’s
doorstep and the pensioners pursue their first live case.

Above all, Libras are lovers of love, harmony and equilibrium –
but it would be too obvious to suggest they pick up a book about a
smooth-running, monogamous relationship. Instead, we say: try
Luster by Raven Leilani. Tilting Libra’s symbolic scale off
balance, it tells the darkly humorous and whip-smart story of
20-something Edie who navigates the shifting landscape of sex and
politics as she joins an open marriage.

Fiercely passionate and determined, Scorpios are the activists
among us. They’re unafraid to challenge the status quo and fight
against injustices. Owing to their stubbornness and willingness to
face danger, Scorpios have a reputation as an intense bunch, but
they nevertheless crave intimacy too. For this reason, we recommend
Femi’s deeply personal collection of poetry, which explores the
experience of young Black men in 21st-century Peckham. Good
recommendation? Pick up Whites by Otegha Uwagba next.

Optimistic, adventurous, independent, progressive, curious –
just a handful of the labels often associated with boundary-pushing
Sagittarius. If you know someone who always asks “why?” there’s a
good chance they’re from this tribe. Indeed, Sagittarians are the
last fire sign of the zodiac and symbolised by the archer – they
want to launch into dazzling adventures. To sate this desire?
Cline’s action-packed Ready Player Two, a sequel to his futuristic
cult classic Ready Player One.

Capricorns are well known for their tough exterior: they’re
hardworking, ambitious, good learners, rational, shoulder
responsibility, have a tendency toward pessimism. We chose Smith’s
latest collection of meditations to appeal to their more sensitive,
emotional side while keeping up with their intellect. Penned during
lockdown (number one, in case you were wondering), this
mind-opening yet intimate series looks beyond 2020’s headline
events and asks questions such as: what is the ratio of contempt to
compassion in a crisis? What does it mean to submit to a new
reality – or to resist it?

It’s believed we are living in the Age of Aquarius, which may
explain our tendencies towards technological innovation, scientific
rationalism, rebellion, nonconformity and humanitarianism.
Aquarians are often associated with intellectualism, innovation,
problem solving and putting community first. They are the water
bearer, the healer who gives life to the land and, therefore,
likely to be inspired by All We Can Save, a collection of
illuminating essays, poetry and art from the women – scientists,
farmers, lawyers, activists, designers – who are shaping the
conversation around climate change.

Watery-wise Pisces is believed to have absorbed the lessons of
the 11 signs before it. With a boundless imagination governed by
creativity and compassion, they are the daydreamers of the zodiac –
its symbol of two fish swimming in opposite directions represents a
short attention span often divided between material and fantastical
realms. For this reason, we recommend Laing’s collection of essays
on art as an antidote to our polarised socio-political climate.
Expect a profile of Georgia O’Keefe and a love letter to Freddie
Mercury.