And Now for Something Completely...

Ridiculous - Book Recs Based on the Zodiac

Dec 24, 2024

Bookish subscriptions are 30% off this month. The January agent list will be out soon. A preview of December’s is accessible here.

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These past few weeks dozens of best-of lists have slipped over the cyber-transom. (So many, too many…) Instead of a best-of, I’ve created a list that matches a book with each astrological sign.

It has no overall aesthetic or logic, and the reading of such lists has been known to cause implacable torpor, restless leg syndrome, erotic dreams, wanderlust, out-of-body experiences, brain fog, UFO visitations, myopia, & unexplained euphoria.

All that aside…best wishes for the holidays, dear fellow literary travelers, and thank you to new and continuing subscribers for being here. 📗 ☀️ 🎄

1. Aries (March 21 - April 19)

Element: Fire, symbol: Ram, traits: bold, energetic, competitive, passionate, impulsive, courageous, strengths: leadership, enthusiasm, and determination; dipshit quotient: impatience and a tendency to act without thinking
Book recommendation: The Portable Veblen, Elizabeth McKenzie

2. Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

Element: Earth; symbol: Bull, traits: reliable, patient, practical, devoted, and sensual; strengths: loyalty, a strong work ethic, and love of comfort; dipshit quotient: stubbornness and resistance to change
Book recommendation: I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman, Nora Ephron

3. Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

Element: Air; symbol: the Twins; traits: curious, adaptable, witty, sociable, and intellectual; strengths: communication skills, versatility, and quick thinking; dipshit quotient: indecisiveness and inconsistency
Book recommendation: Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema, Lindy West

4. Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

Element: Water; symbol: Crab; traits: nurturing, intuitive, sensitive, emotional, and protective; strengths: empathy, loyalty, and strong family connections; dipshit quotient: moodiness and a tendency to retreat into their shell
Book recommendation: All Aunt Hagar’s Children, Edward P. Jones

Element: Fire; symbol: Lion; traits: confident, charismatic, ambitious, generous, and dramatic; strengths: leadership, creativity, and a warm-hearted nature; dipshit quotient: arrogance and a need for attention
Book recommendation: The Woman Lit by Fireflies, Jim Harrison

6. Virgo (August 23 - September 22)

Element: Earth; symbol: Virgin; traits: analytical, practical, detail-oriented, and modest; strengths: organization, reliability, and a strong sense of duty; dipshit quotient: perfectionism and overthinking
Book recommendation: Owlish, Dorothy Tse

7. Libra (September 23 - October 22)

Element: Air; symbol: the Scales; traits: diplomatic, charming, fair-minded, and sociable; strengths: harmony-seeking, aesthetic appreciation, and strong interpersonal skills; dipshit quotient: indecisiveness and a tendency to avoid confrontation
Book recommendation: Please Be Advised: A Novel in Memos (How could I resist—this is my sign! 😬)

8. Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

Element: Water; symbol: Scorpion; traits: intense, passionate, resourceful, and secretive; strengths: determination, loyalty, and transformative energy; dipshit quotient: jealousy and a tendency to be overly controlling
Book recommendation: Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama, Bob Odenkirk

9. Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

Element: Fire; symbol: Archer; traits: adventurous, optimistic, independent, and philosophical; strengths: curiosity, a love for freedom, and a sense of humor; dipshit quotient: impulsiveness and a tendency to overpromise
Book recommendation: No Good Very Bad Asian, Leland Cheuk

10. Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

Element: Earth; symbol: Goat; traits: ambitious, disciplined, practical, and responsible; strengths: perseverance, organization, and strong leadership abilities; dipshit quotient: rigidity and a tendency to prioritize work over personal relationships
Book recommendation: About Grace,
Barbara Shoup
(available for preorders, out on March 1, 2025)

11. Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

Element: Air; symbol: Water Bearer; traits: innovative, independent, humanitarian, and unconventional; strengths: originality, vision, and strong ideals; dipshit quotient: aloofness and a tendency to be overly idealistic
Book recommendation: Luster, Raven Lelaini

12. Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

Element: Water; symbol: Fish; traits: Compassionate, artistic, intuitive, dreamy, and selfless; strengths: Creativity, empathy, and spiritual depth; dipshit quotient: escapism and a tendency to be overly idealistic
Book recommendation: Early Sobrieties, Michael Deagler

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CODA: Sharing movie-related news about new Blu Ray editions of two of screenwriter/director/fiction writer Steve De Jarnatt's films. On Dec 31st, Kino Lorber Classics will release a new special edition of both MIRACLE MILE and CHERRY 2000.

These are regular Blu Rays—(not UHD 4k Ultra), and they are full of great extras. $19.92 each.

Steve’s story collection Grace for Grace (Acre Books) is available in three versions (ebook, paperback, and PDF)—he’s published stories in The Best American Short Stories, New England Review, Santa Monica Review, and other fine journals and anthologies.

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