Books
What To Read In 2018, Based On Your Zodiac Prediction For The Year
If you're a follower of the Zodiac, the new year is one of the most exciting times for any sign. Because this is when your yearly horoscope predictions are laid out, the many ways your sign will be affected, grow, change, thrive and otherwise live throughout the next 12 months. These predictions are meant to be bolstering, a sort of hopeful direction on which to pin our goals, our actions, and our plans for the year. So why not include our reading in that list? The books we read can have a huge impact on our state of mind throughout the year, so choosing one or two reads in particular that will support you on your own unique journey throughout the next few months can only help, right?
Below is a book recommendation for each Zodiac sign, based on the predictions put forth in Bustle's 2018 Yearly Horoscope written by Mecca Woods. Each of these reads — some fiction you'll relate to, others non-fiction to inspire you — all relate directly to some aspect of your yearly prediction. Of course, feel free to take a peek at the books being recommended to signs other than your own, too. You might just be an Aries who wants to take a page out of your fellow Capricorn's book, or you want to encourage your Scorpio sister to pick her up own rec. Whatever sign you are, I can predict one thing: you're in for a year of good reads.
Aries (March 21-April 19): 'Brave' by Rose McGowan
Your Prediction: "2018 is your year to boss up, Aries. Expect your mettle to be put to the test," Woods says. Read in full.
Your Book: Rose McGowan has been one of the voices as the forefront of the #MeToo movement and her upcoming memoir will share more details about her experiences as an actress fighting against the industry's dangerous status quo. You'll definitely be tapped into your own badass warrior ways in 2018 after reading this.
Taurus (April 20-May 20): 'Down And Across' by Arvin Ahmadi
Your Prediction: "Are you ready for a new you? You will be if the stars have any say," Woods says. Read in full.
Your Book: You'll definitely be able to relate to main character Scott Ferdowski's journey in Arvin Ahmadi's Down and Across this year. Like you, Scott is on a mission to figure out who is is and what he wants out of life. Maybe you'll get some illuminating advice from his journey, maybe it will keep you from taking yourself too seriously, maybe it will give you the push you need to take a leap. Either way, this is a book you need to check out in 2018.
Gemini (May 21-June 20): 'This Will Be My Undoing' by Morgan Jerkins
Your Prediction: "Authenticity is the main theme for you in 2018, as you’re called to drop anything in your life where you can’t be your true self and be appreciated as such," Woods says. Read in full.
Your Book: Morgan Jerkins's highly anticipated collection of essays is all about identity, as she gives a voice to Black girlhood and womanhood both on a political and personal level. No matter who you are, you will definitely be empowered to delve into your own unique identity and everything that comes with it after reading This Will Be My Undoing. And if you're looking to be introduced to some new and crucial perspectives, you can't go wrong.
Cancer (June 21-July 22): 'Give Me Some Truth' by Eric Gansworth
Your Prediction: "You and your needs are the major focus this year, as you're pushed to set better boundaries when it comes to your relationships with others," Woods says. Read in full.
Your Book: The crucial explorations of identity, family, culture, legacy, passion and young love that Gansworth undertakes in his YA book Give Me Some Truth will be hugely influential to anyone who reads it, but will especially appeal to you in 2018. You're setting yourself up to focus on who what you want, what needs to change, and how you will relate to everyone in your life moving forward. Carson and Maggi's stories, while illuminating their own unique cultural experiences, will also feel familiar to you througout.
Leo (July 23-Aug 22)" 'Well That Escalated Quickly' by Franchesca Ramsey
Your Prediction: "Now that you’ve had some time to focus on what you want, expect partnerships (especially one in particular) to be the focus for you for much of this year," Woods says. Read in full.
Your Book: If your focus is on trailblazing in 2018, you're going to want to take some cues from Franchesca Ramsey. Though Ramsey might not have intended to become one of the first high-profile online activists, become one she did, and here she shares tales from her work on race and identity, along with lessons she's learned from being in the public eye.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sept 22): 'How To Get Sh*t Done' by Erin Falconer
Your Prediction: "You should find yourself working hard this year, though instead of doing it on behalf of others, it’ll be working on pursuing the things you want and bringing your own plans into fruition," Woods says. Read in full.
Your Book: If your 2018 is going to be all about hard work and pursuing your goals, you're going to need a little bit of help to get there. Falconer has founded two start-ups , so she knows what it takes to make things happen while also helping you strike the right balance between productivity and your personal life this year.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 22): 'The Poet X' by Elizabeth Acevedo
Your Prediction: "Stability will be the name of the game this year, as many Libras like you could find yourselves starting a family, settling down, or investing more time and money into your home," Woods says. Read in full.
Your Book: A big part of your year is going to be finding yourself creatively, while also figuring out exactly what it is you want from the people in your life (family, friends, romantic partners, etc.) And Elizabeth Acevedo's heroine Xiomara Batista is doing much the same in The Poet X. As Xiomara finds herself in slam poetry and learns to relate to her religious mother, you'll be inspired to do your own soul searching in 2018.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): 'The Self-Care Revolution' by Suzy Reading
Your Prediction: "You have quite the busy year ahead of you with just about every corner of your life, from career to relationships to family, getting lit up," Woods says. Read in full.
Your Book: It sounds like 2018 is going to be your year, Scorpio, but in all of the excitement and business you need an unshakeable foundation. And this book on self-care and all of the many ways you can help yourself truly flourish should probably be in your bag at all times throughout the next 12 months.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21): 'The Financial Diet' by Chelsea Fagan
Your Prediction: "Your work-life balance is due for a major overhaul this year, while it’s time for you to get your money straight and to stop settling for peanuts," Woods says. Read in full.
Your Book: Chelsea Fagan has been doling out her money advice on The Financial Diet blog and YouTube channel for years, but her book will be an extra portable reminder to "get your money straight" in 2018. And if you want to take the travel portion of your yearly prediction to heart, too, then you'll need some advice on how to save up for that, too.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19): 'You & Me & Why We're In Love' by Aurelia Alcaïs
Your Prediction: "As part of your self-reinvention tour, you can expect to review and refocus when it comes to your personal value system," Woods says. Read in full.
Your Book: Love is not usually the first thing on a Cap's mind—career growth, travel, building better friendships, generally trying to kick butt at all things? Yes. Love...no. But perhaps it really is time for Capricorns to embrace a more romantic mind-set. And this quirky collection of illustrated vignettes about love in all its many forms might be just the thing to get you there.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18): 'For Everyone' by Jason Reynolds
Your Prediction: You can expect changes this year when it comes to your relationships. Specifically, you can’t carry everyone all the time," Woods says. Read in full.
Your Book: You'll need to focus more on yourself in 2018, your own self-care and putting your desires first, even when you haven't done so in the past. Jason Reynolds's poem For Everyone, is all about that space between your dreams and reality, and the kindness you need to give to yourself on the journey between the two. Whatever personal dream you decide to focus on this year, and despite what others' opinions of your personal renaissance might be, Reynolds's words will give you the inspiration you need to keep on striving.
Pisces (Feb 19-March 20): 'Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning' by Leslie Odom Jr.
Your Prediction: "It's all about a fresh perspective this year, as your creative energy gets a boost and you're encouraged to see the world with a new pair of eyes," Woods says. Read in full.
Your Book: If you're looking for a fresh perspective on all things creative, Hamilton alum Leslie Odom Jr's book about his many years oh hard work as an actor, from debuting on Broadway at 17, to graduating from Carnegie Mellon, to landing the role of Aaron Burr, will be just the shot of inspiration and true life grit you'll need to refresh, and mostly importantly, keep going no matter what 2018 throws your way.
