And Now for Something Completely...Ridiculous II (Back to School Edition)
Book recommendations based on the zodiac
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I was in my hometown of Libertyville for a few days earlier this month and was startled to learn that the public schools had started fall term on August 11.
No one has been arrested for stealing these last few weeks of summer (even if the spring term ended in late May, criminy, August 11 is early!) Doubtless the perpetrator is still at large.
Has this summer been relaxing or idyllic for anyone reading this? My money’s on NFW! or Nooooo. For expert (and often extremely funny) commentary on current events,
is a favorite, and his recent interview with Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a standout.
Today’s post is a second addition of “And now for something completely…ridiculous” (The first edition can be accessed here.)
1. 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; dingbat quotient: perfectionism and overthinking
Book recommendation: Amy Stuber’s Sad Grownups
2. 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; dingbat quotient: indecisiveness and a tendency to avoid confrontation
Book recommendation: Kate Greathead’s The Book of George
3. Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)
Element: Water; symbol: Scorpion; traits: intense, passionate, resourceful, and secretive; strengths: determination, loyalty, and transformative energy; dingbat quotient: jealousy and a tendency to be overly controlling
Book recommendations: (memoir/cultural studies double-header!)
’s Good Girl and Steve Almond’s Candyfreak
4. 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; dingbat quotient: impulsiveness and a tendency to overpromise
Book recommendations: R.L. Maizes’ forthcoming A Complete Fiction (out on November 4; pre-order link here) & Lori Ostlund’s first-rate new story collection Are You Happy?
5. Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)
Element: Earth; symbol: Goat; traits: ambitious, disciplined, practical, and responsible; strengths: perseverance, organization, and strong leadership abilities; dingbat quotient: rigidity and a tendency to prioritize work over personal relationships
Book recommendation: Fish Tales, Nettie Jones
6. Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Element: Air; symbol: Water Bearer; traits: innovative, independent, humanitarian, and unconventional; strengths: originality, vision, and strong ideals; dingbat quotient: aloofness and a tendency to be overly idealistic
Book recommendation: Brit Bennett’s The Mothers
7. Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
Element: Water; symbol: Fish; traits: Compassionate, artistic, intuitive, dreamy, and selfless; strengths: Creativity, empathy, and spiritual depth; dingbat quotient: escapism and a tendency to be overly idealistic
Book recommendation: (tragicomedic novel double-header!): Kurt Baumeister’s Twilight of the Gods and Jeremy T. Wilson’s The Quail Who Wears the Shirt
8. Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Element: Fire, symbol: Ram, traits: bold, energetic, competitive, passionate, impulsive, courageous, strengths: leadership, enthusiasm, and determination; dingbat quotient: impatience and a tendency to act without thinking
Book recommendation: Richard Babcock’s A Small Disturbance on the Far Horizon
9. 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; dingbat quotient: stubbornness and resistance to change
Book recommendation: Dana Johnson’s Elsewhere, California
10. Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
Element: Air; symbol: the Twins; traits: curious, adaptable, witty, sociable, and intellectual; strengths: communication skills, versatility, and quick thinking; dingbat quotient: indecisiveness and inconsistency
Book recommendation: Gioia Diliberto’s Firebrands: The Untold Story of Four Women Who Made and Unmade Prohibition (& Bookshop.org link)
11. Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
Element: Water; symbol: Crab; traits: nurturing, intuitive, sensitive, emotional, and protective; strengths: empathy, loyalty, and strong family connections; dingbat quotient: moodiness and a tendency to retreat into their shell
Book recommendation: Nada Alic’s Bad Thoughts
(Bonus title: Keep an eye out - pub. date Oct. 14 - for
’s novel-in-stories, Sex of the Midwest - starred review from Kirkus!)12. Leo (July 23 - August 22)
Element: Fire; symbol: Lion; traits: confident, charismatic, ambitious, generous, and dramatic; strengths: leadership, creativity, and a warmhearted nature; dingbat quotient: arrogance and a need for attention
Book recommendation:
’s The Satyr in Bungalow D
Postscript
Two children’s books recommendations: Don Tassone’s newly published Clara’s Big Discovery and Roxanne Beck’s Caterpillarland.
Thanks for the shout-out, Christine!
There is nothing ridiculous about this! (I keep saying that the best thing my parents did to support my writing life is giving me a Taurus birthdate.) And yes--having grown up in a pocket of the Northeast where the school year never began before Labor Day or ended before the summer solstice, I *still* have a hard time absorbing the calendars elsewhere!