What Your First Read of 2025 Should Be

A book recommendation for each of the zodiac signs

Astrology is one of many lenses we can use to examine and analyze our personalities, our motivations, and our activities. Whether you believe or not, it can be fun to entertain the notion that the date of our birth has some impact on who we are and what we like. Read on to see what your zodiac sign says about you and get our recommendations for your first read of 2025.

Aries (March 21–April 20)

As the first of the zodiac signs, this fire sign is emblematic of new beginnings. Aries, you are energetic and adventurous, passionate and ambitious. You fight for what you believe in, even if the odds are stacked against you. Books for Aries should reflect this can-do attitude and take you on a hero's journey complete with high-stakes and plenty of action.

Our pick for you: True Grit by Charles Portis—This singular novel tells the story of Mattie Ross, a fearless, self-possessed fourteen-year-old who, alongside the ruthless one-eyed US Marshal, Rooster Cogburn, sets out on a treacherous quest, taking on brutal conditions and cutthroat outlaws to avenge her father's murder. 

Taurus (April 21–May 20)

The beauty of being a Taurus is that you know your own mind. Loyal, practical, and efficient, you value stability and strength. Your earth sign gives you a rooted nature that may manifest as a stubborn streak. You are sensual, drawn to good food and artistic experiences. Taurus readers enjoy rich, chewy reads to get lost in a world outside of their comfort zone.

Our pick for you: Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez—Florentino Ariza waits more than half a century to declare his undying love to the beautiful Fermina Daza after losing her to another man. This long-smoldering love story is as lush and dazzling as a dream and as real and immediate as our own deepest longings.

Gemini (May 21–June 21)

The first of the air signs, you Geminis are always looking for your next big learning opportunity. Curious and charismatic, you love nothing more than honing your craft and fine-tuning your way of engaging with the world. You're adaptable, comfortable in both introverted and extroverted pursuits. Geminis go for eclectic, avant-garde reads that foster meaningful discussions and revelatory insights.

Our pick for you: There There by Tommy Orange—This acclaimed novel follows twelve Native American characters traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one another in ways they don't yet realize. The New York Times said the book "brings so much news from a distinct corner of American life that it's a revelation."

Cancer (June 22–July 22)

As a Cancer, you may often find yourself putting up a big front. But underneath that tough exterior, there is a nurturing, sensitive soul who is most energized by time spent with loved ones. A water sign, you are ruled by the moon and known to be a bit nostalgic. Your best reads will allow you to find healing and creativity by igniting your senses and giving you all the feels.

Our pick for you: The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry—When a woman discovers a rare book with connections to her past, long-held secrets about her missing sister and their childhood in the English countryside during World War II are revealed. This warm-hearted historical novel offers a compelling mystery.

Leo (July 23–August 23)

As a Leo, you know you're headed for greatness. You've got the hustle and the confidence to make things happen. This year, you're taking center stage. A fire sign, Leos can be moody and dramatic, but you are also known to be big-hearted, generous, and fiercely loyal. Stories about finding trust, friendship, and love in high-octane situations push all your buttons.

Our pick for you: All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy—At sixteen years of age, John Grady Cole finds himself at the end of a long line of Texas ranchers. Cut off from the only life he has ever imagined, he sets off for Mexico on a journey to a place where dreams are paid for in blood.

Virgo (August 24–September 23)

As a Virgo, you tend to be the most competent person in the room. It's hard for you to trust anyone else to do the job right. This can get you into trouble as you may have a tendency to take on too much. An earth sign, you are pragmatic, practical, and systematic. You enjoy well-crafted stories that help you relax and tap into your emotional side while also offering learning opportunities.

Our pick for you: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi—This award-winning debut follows the divergent paths of two half sisters in Africa, one married into nobility and the other kidnapped and forced into slavery in America. The ambitious storyline skillfully traces the circumstances of their descendants through eight generations.

Libra (September 24–October 23)

As a Libra, you look for equanimity in all things. This can sometimes make it difficult for you to express your strongest emotions, from rage to euphoria to passion. An air sign, you have high standards when it comes to art and aesthetics. You like well-written dramas that allow you to deviate from your careful balancing act and embrace the roller coaster of human emotion.

Our pick for you: Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane—Rookie cops Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope are neighbors in the New York City suburbs. A lifelong friendship and love blooms between their children Kate and Peter, born six months apart, but an explosive event one shocking night sets the stage for decades to come.

Scorpio (October 24–Nov. 22)

As a Scorpio, you are a master at reading people and keeping secrets. Your intensity can be overwhelming, but your charisma carries the day. Like all water signs, you are known for your emotional depth. You are stubborn, ambitious, and rock-steady when it comes to your goals. Your favorite reads are dark, emotional, and packed with drama.

Our pick for you: The Little Friend by Donna Tartt—One Mother's Day in Alexandria, Mississippi, a little boy is found hanging from a tree in his parents' yard. Twelve years later his murder is still unsolved. So it is that his sister Harriet—unnervingly bright and insufferably determined—sets out to unmask his killer.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23–Dec. 21)

A fire sign, you love fun, adventure, and, of course, good stories. Your spontaneity makes you a terrific travel companion, but sometimes it also leaves you restless and distracted. You're known for being honest, even blunt, and you have a serious side that may be obscured by your carefree vibe. You enjoy books that help satisfy your lust for epic journeys and wild rides.

Our pick for you: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver—Nathan Price, a fierce, evangelical Baptist missionary, transplants his family to the Belgian Congo in 1959. Told by his wife and four daughters, this suspenseful epic traces the family's experiences over three decades in postcolonial Africa.

Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 21)

Tenacious and hardworking, you Capricorns are known to strive for perfection even in the face of adversity. A cardinal earth sign, you are the model of stability and operate with a strong moral compass. You are a good friend, maybe even sacrificing yourself for others. Quality literature is something you insist upon, but you also love a good escape into fantasy.

Our pick for you: Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James—In book one of The Dark Star Trilogy (think African Game of Thrones), the mercenary Tracker is engaged to track down a mysterious boy who disappeared three years earlier. Breaking his rule of always working alone, he joins forces with a hodgepodge band of unusual characters.

Aquarius (Jan. 22–Feb. 19)

As an Aquarius, you are interested in profound transformation and big philosophical questions. Like the other air signs, you're known to be intellectual and social. You like progressive, original books that challenge you. Staunchly independent, you tend to eschew the buzzy bestsellers for esoteric reads that take you off the beaten path.

Our pick for you: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell—Described as the literary equivalent of Russian nesting dolls, this series of interlinking novellas employs daring artistry to explore fundamental questions of reality. Gradually the pieces of the puzzle click together to form a probing examination of connection and identity.

Pisces (Feb. 20–March 20)

Sweet Pisces, we love your dreamy, imaginative nature, but we do sometimes worry you're going to get hurt. A water sign, you are sensitive, nurturing, and protective, often ignoring your own needs in service of those you love. This year, be sure to use your powers of intuition in service of yourself as well as others. The best books for you shed light on the fullness of human experience.

Our pick for you: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich—Based on the extraordinary life of the celebrated author's grandfather, this powerful novel explores themes of love and death with lightness and gravity. The rich, complex story unfolds with the elegant prose, sly humor, and emotional depth of a master craftsman.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon