SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Let this be your sign to give your To Be Read (aka Want to Read) shelf some love! You can stay in your element or push yourself to begin a new season in your reading journey! The only rule is that you find a book for any of the prompts that interest you from your TBR and give it a go. Here's hoping that your reads leave you starry-eyed and not searching for answers!

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary
2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic
3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous
4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable
5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious
6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative
7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous
8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical
9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious
10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful
11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust
12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble
13. A breath of fresh air
14. Playing with fire
15. From the ground up
16. In deep waters
17. Spring into action
18. Sweet summer child
19. Reap what you sow
20. On thin ice

Sign up for the challenge here on January 1st.
Personal challenge threads here.
Other challenges in Current Events.

Challenge on TSG: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading...

Some folks have said these are too hard, so we've tried this year to give you multiple avenues of interpretation! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with :D

hmmm, I'm trying to figure out whether Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable refers to the book as a whole or the main character... I guess I'm going to have to see how others are interpreting the prompts.

this is going to take me a while

I'm pretty sure you get to choose your own parameters. Feel free to be wibbly wobbly and have it apply to either.

This will be fun and interesting to try and match books. I'll probably do some planning (because I can't *not* plan) but then give myself a lot of leeway to change things along the way if something seems like a better fit while I'm reading.

Yes, allow me to paraphrase Allison, there is no wrong way to do this.

I am having a very hard time finding books on my Read Your Books shelf for some of these prompts. I’ve been searching for keywords. For Authentic Aquarius I came up with nothing!!

Ah well, I don’t mind trying because the planning is at least half the fun.

Since most of the books I read have different levels of morally ambiguous characters, I looked up the "negative" characteristics for the zodiac signs. For example, I plan to read Nona the Ninth, and she's going to need a melodramatic, self-serving, occasionally cruel zodiac sign. So I may place that book under Limelight Leo because two of the traits I found for Leo are despotic and arrogant.

Cheryl L wrote: "Since most of the books I read have different levels of morally ambiguous characters, I looked up the "negative" characteristics for the zodiac signs. For example, I plan to read [book:Nona the Nin..."

That's a great idea, Cheryl!

I think I’m going to find most of the first 12 hard to work with unless I fall back on other aspects of the signs, i.e. not the provided sets of adjectives.

imaginative, adventurous or revolutionary books are hard to come by? I believe in you!

I think it may be the adjective to describe the sign, such as Tender Taurus or Sweet Sagitarrius, that I have to modify. I'm more likely to find books on my TBR that are Truculent Taurus or Smug Sagitarrius. ;-)

Only ever use the parts that are fun and not the parts that are not fun! We love seeing how folks interpret things :)

I don't know how fresh some of the books on this site are, but it might be fun to try and use the sliders to pick some of them (or jog ideas from your existing TBR):

https://www.whichbook.net/mood-emotio...

It has sliders you can pick like Funny vs Serious or Happy vs Sad.

Story graph also recommends books based on mood:

https://app.thestorygraph.com/recomme...

At this point I think I’ve tentatively identified 5 books that more or less fit the adjectives, and I’m thinking of going with the “twins” aspect of Gemini.

Fun choices as usual. My brain fried out on this Zodiac thing, so I copped out in the creativity department this year, as will soon become apparent.

Progress-o-meter: 24/24

8/16/24 Finished!!

✔1. Aquarius
Paul Auster - DOB Feb 3
The Book of Illusions
–Auster, one of the modern masters of existentialism

✔2. Pisces
Jennifer Saint - DOB Mar 18
Ariadne
–My wife is hooked on this Greek Mythology resurgence, so needless to say here this is on MY shelf.

✔3. Aries
Charlie N. Holmberg - DOB Apr 4
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms
–Irrelevant aside: until I started researching these birthdays, I thought “Charlie” was a man. Stupid me.

✔4. Taurus
Bel Kaufman - DOB May 10
Up the Down Staircase
–A classic from my distant past that I have been wanting to read

✔5. Gemini
R.F. Kuang - DOB May 29
Yellowface
–Audible sale. Looks pretty great.

✔6. Cancer
Monica Byrne - DOB Jul 13
The Actual Star
–One of our club picks that has been on my shelf for a while

✔7. Leo
Sue Monk Kidd - DOB Aug 12
The Invention of Wings
–Kidd’s second most popular book here on GR

✔8. Virgo
Paulo Coelho - DOB Aug 24
Eleven Minutes
–I bought a whole bunch of e-books by Coelho on one of those Amazon super-sales.

✔9. Libra
Charlotte McConaghy - DOB Oct 8
Once There Were Wolves
–I loved her first book Migrations. I hope this one is as good.

✔10. Scorpio
Pat Conroy - DOB 26 Oct
South of Broad
–I’ve been hooked on Conroy since reading The Prince of Tides.

✔11. Sagittarius
Patrick O'Brian - DOB 12 Dec
Master and Commander
–I got this at one of our local library sales. I saw the movie with Russell Crowe when it came out, which was good-ish. Supposedly the book is way better.

✔12. Capricorn
M.R. Carey - DOB Jan 1
The Trials of Koli and The Fall of Koli
–Two years ago, I listened to The Book of Koli. I quite enjoyed it, so last December I got these two to use up the last of my 2022 Audible member credits. I am excited to finally keep going with this creative story.

✔13. A breath of fresh air
Becky Chambers
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within
–Ahhhh......Becky Chambers is always a breath of fresh air

✔14. Playing with fire
Joe Hill
The Fireman
–Spontaneous combustion can often be a problem.

✔15. From the ground up
David McCullough
The Wright Brothers
–From the ground up, literally.

✔16. In deep waters
Darcy Coates
From Below
–Terror from the bottom of the sea. Say no more.

✔17. Spring into action
John Scalzi
Starter Villain
–“Inheriting your uncle's supervillain business is more complicated than you might think……………It's up to Charlie to win the war his uncle started against a league of supervillains.”
Yup, it sounds like Scalzi’s protagonist here is about to spring into action.

✔18. Sweet summer child
L.M. Montgomery
Anne of Green Gables
–I have no recollection of how or when this got on my TBR shelf, but here it sits in my Audible library, a classic waiting to be read. I hope I’m not too old for this.

✔19. Reap what you sow
Octavia E. Butler
Seed to Harvest ( Wild Seed , Mind of My Mind , Clay's Ark and Patternmaster )
–All four books of Butler’s Patternmaster series in one volume. Egads!

✔20. On thin ice
W. Somerset Maugham
The Razor's Edge
–Thin Ice, Razor's Edge, both kinda risky, eh?

20/20

✔1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary: The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler-Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017 First published January 25,2020. A view of the situation with Israel from the Palestinian point of view. Excellent account!

✔2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic: The Galaxy, and the Ground Within First published February 19, 2021. A cozy and compassionate read in these trying times.

✔3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous: The Book of Harlan First published April 11, 2016. It was adventurous but I wouldn't characterize the journey as optimistic.

✔4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable: The Cider House Rules First published May 10th, 1985. No one is more dependable and soothing than Homer Wells. In my view to a fault.

✔5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious: Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World Literal interpretation of Gemini as the twins. Klein explores the world of the other famous author named Naomi that she is always misidentified as. A woman who has opposing views on many things. A great nonfiction book.

✔6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative: My Soul to Keep First published June 29, 1997. Definitely and emotional and imaginative book. The horror of eternal life that you did not want or ask for.

✔7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous: Shards of Earth Published August 3, 2021, this high drama, not so humorous but tried.

✔8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical: Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy First published September 6,2016. One of the first books out attempting to explain data science and how the data being collected on the internet became a powerful tool that is easily exploited. Very analytical and attentive.

✔9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious: The Nightingale First published October 8, 2015

✔10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful: In the Dream House First published November 5, 2019. Definitely complicated and powerful!

✔11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust: How Long 'til Black Future Month? First published November 27, 2018.

✔12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble: The Rise of Endymion First published January 1, 1997

✔13. A breath of fresh air: A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance A fantastic book about the history of Black performance art. It was interesting, insightful, uplifting, powerful and brilliant. A wonderful treatise.

✔14. Playing with fire: The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet A book on climate change.

✔15. From the ground up: Amity and Prosperity: One Family and the Fracturing of America The havoc on a community poisoned by fracking in Pennsylvania. Folks want to complain about the price of gas as the most important thing in the world while killing the planet and the life that is present. Sigh. Spoiler alert: mysterious chemicals in, carcinogens out

✔16. In deep waters: How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures A literal interpretation of this task. A memoir that addresses each chapter with a unique sea creature.

✔17. Spring into action: Killers of a Certain Age Rip-roaring, action-packed fun!

✔18. Sweet summer child: Hell of a Book Published June 29, 2021, brilliant brain child published in the summer. A book about ideas and identity.

✔19. Reap what you sow: Camp Concentration Dark, intense, fascinating about chickens coming home to roost in a near future prison where they are conducting fatal experiments with the inmates (mostly political prisoners). The results unleashed upon the world.

✔20. On thin ice: The Lords of Discipline Protagonist is in danger of being drummed out of military school as he uncovers a secret cabal that harrasses students to quit run by the superintendant.

Edwin wrote: "Fun choices as usual. My brain fried out on this Zodiac thing, so I copped out in the creativity department this year, as will soon become apparent.

Progress-o-meter: 0/23

1. Aquarius
[author:Pau..."

Edwin, I love that you picked authors born under each Zodiac sign for the first part - that would never have occurred to me, and I think it’s a clever approach to the prompts.

Kaia wrote: "Edwin, I love that you picked authors born under each Zodiac sign for the first part - that would never have occurred to me, and I think it’s a clever approach to the prompts."

that's a good idea - I've started with the symbols (goat, Fish, etc) and have filled in 4 plus found 5 for the second part.

CBRetriever wrote: "Kaia wrote: "that's a good idea - I've started with the symbols (goat, Fish, etc) and have filled in 4 plus found 5 for the second part."

That is exactly what I started doing but then got completely stumpified.

Edwin, fyi Master and Commander is a great book (I’ve read it several times) but the plot is quite different from the movie.

Edwin wrote: "CBRetriever wrote: "Kaia wrote: "that's a good idea - I've started with the symbols (goat, Fish, etc) and have filled in 4 plus found 5 for the second part."

That is exactly what I started doing b..."

so do a mix of methods?

There was a point in the year where I was completely frustrated and thought I'd never be able to fit any book to a sign for Modiac January, and decided that if all else failed, I'd use the book's pub date as its birth date :)

Whatever way gets books read from your TBR!

Edwin wrote: "CBRetriever wrote: "Kaia wrote: "that's a good idea - I've started with the symbols (goat, Fish, etc) and have filled in 4 plus found 5 for the second part."

That is exactly what I started doing b..."

I’m struggling with my own choices for this one. I think whatever method or mix of methods works for you is good, as long as it’s helping you read books on your TBR list. :-)

Stephen wrote: "Edwin, fyi Master and Commander is a great book (I’ve read it several times) but the plot is quite different from the movie."

Good to know. Thanks Stephen.

Anna wrote: "There was a point in the year where I was completely frustrated and thought I'd never be able to fit any book to a sign for Modiac January, and decided that if all else failed, I'd use the book's pub date as its birth date :)"

Great minds and all that.

that's so much research! nice work

I decided to embrace the openness of the prompts and not limit myself to only one possibility for each prompt, or limit books to matching just one prompt. So, I think I have about 40 books for the 20 prompts and I'll see which way the wind blows over the year.

For the first 12, I focussed on the two descriptive words and tried to match characters or story (or what I think the story is). For the last 8, I was matching story or title elements.

20/20

✔️1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary - A Coup of Tea, A Tyranny of Queens, The Ruin of Kings, Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
✔️2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic - As Death Draws Near, MC is an artist, her fiancé is dreamy; Radiance
✔️3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous - Inda The Final Empire, A Gathering of Shadows
✔️4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable - System Collapse, Murderbot is soothing.The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2015, dependably good stories;
✔️5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious -Truly, Devious Red Seas Under Red Skies,
✔️6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative, Sword Stone Table: Old Legends, New Voices Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories, Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders
✔️7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous - When You Are Engulfed in Flames, The Road to Roswell, Red Seas Under Red Skies
✔️8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical -The Moor, Bellfield Hall: or, the observations of Miss Dido Kent, The Serpent's Tale. A good description for the MCs of these mystery stories.
✔️9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious - Translation State, The Witness for the Dead,Royal Assassin. Diplomacy in some form seems to be a part of each.
✔️10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful -Ghost Story, describes both Harry Dresden and the stories he gets caught up in.
✔️11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust -Walking the Tree, The Road to Roswell, A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
✔️12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble - The Brightest Fell, good description of Sir Toby Daye.
✔️13. A breath of fresh air - Ill Wind, The title was just too perfect to pass up.
✔️14. Playing with fire - Under the Smokestrewn Sky; Crucible of Gold, don't play with a fire-breathing dragon.
✔️15. From the ground up - Slow River, mc built her life up from the ground up, Walking the Tree, Hounded his magic apparently comes from the ground.
✔️16. In deep waters - Liberty's Daughter Crucible of Gold, Cold Fire, Witch King, In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex. Deep waters literal and metaphorical.
✔️17. Spring into action -The Apocalypse Codex Hounded, A Darker Reality Characters spring into action for various reasons.
✔️18. Sweet summer child - What Abigail Did That Summer (and I have to first read Foxglove Summer which is not currently on my actual/physical TBR, so 2 summers for the price of one)
✔️19. Reap what you sow -Seasonal Fears, this book belongs in this challenge, could possibly go with any season. Under the Smokestrewn Sky, conclusion to a series; White Cat
✔️20. On thin ice - The Serpent's Tale Set in winter snd generally precarious Tuyo, The Bird King, The Little Ice Age: How Climate Made History 1300-1850. Precarious and/or wintery situations.

OK, here are my initial thoughts (some will probably change as the year goes on). I'm trying to include more genres that I have neglected the last year or so, like nonfiction, a few I own but haven't read yet, and a few on the group shelf.

1. Authentic Aquarius (innovative, revolutionary): Unbowed by Wangari Maathai (innovative and revolutionary ideas and actions by planting trees)

2. Popular Pisces (dreamy, artistic): Illuminations by T Kingfisher (magical paintings)

3. Active Aries (optimistic, adventurous): The Girl Who Sailed the Stars by Matilda Woods (adventure)

4. Tender Taurus (soothing, dependable): The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djeli Clark (Clark is a dependable author - I have enjoyed every book & story of his I've read)

5. Gentle Gemini (adaptable, curious): Dawn by Octavia Butler (MC has to adapt to new circumstances)

6. Compassionate Cancer (emotional, imaginative): Abeni's Song by P. Djeli Clark (Abeni will have to be imaginative to bring her people home)

7. Limelight Leo (dramatic, humorous): Cat Pictures Please and Other Stories by Naomi Kritzer (cats - leo/lion, humor)

8. Veracious Virgo (attentive, analytical): Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (MC analyzes bookstore customer behavior to try to solve a mystery)

9. Lively Libra (diplomatic, harmonious): On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World by Danya Ruttenberg (repairing relationships brings harmony)

10. Spirited Scorpio (complicated, powerful): Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City by Tanya Talagan (powerful true story)

11. Sweet Sagittarius (idealistic, wanderlust): Dreamsnake by Vonda McIntyre (MCs have to travel)

12. Capable Capricorn (protective, noble): Hild by Nicola Griffith (people seek protection from the main character)

13. A breath of fresh air: City of Thieves by David Benioff (haven't read any historical fiction in a while)

14. Playing with fire: Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone (messing with the Empress is playing with fire)

15. From the ground up: The Good House by Tananarive Due (haunted house / woods)

16. In deep waters: Whalefall by Daniel Kraus (MC is swallowed by a whale)

17. Spring into action: Gobbelino London & a Scourge of Pleasantries by Kim Watt (MCs need to spring into action to find a book before there are consequences)

18. Sweet summer child: Tuyo by Rachel Neumeier (summer country is one setting)

19. Reap what you sow: Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip (translating a book may lead to danger)

20. On thin ice: Revenant Gun by Yoon Ha Lee (it feels like the characters in this series are always on thin ice at all times)

ok, have mine so far:

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary = Water Bearer = The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi - Reason = dividing up water and delivering it
2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic = Fish = The Swords of Haven by Simon R. Green - Reason = a main character is named Fisher
3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous = Ram = Legacies by L.E. Modesitt Jr. - Reason = main character is involved with nightsheep and especially a ram
4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable = Bull =The Hotel Under the Sand by Kage Baker - Reason = seems like the book will fit the mood
5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious = Twins = Night Angel Nemesis by Brent Weeks - Reason = protecting the King's twin sons
6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative = Crab =Widdershins by Charles de Lint - Reason = one of the main characters is an artist
7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous = Lion = A Tapestry of Lions by Jennifer Roberson - Reason = Shape changers and father sits on the Lion throne
8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical = Virgin = Touched by Magic by Doranna Durgin - Reason = lots of scenes set in the Forgotten Unicorn (pub) and we all know about unicorns and virgins, right?
9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious = Balance/Scale = Nucleation by Kimberly Unger - Reason = Is the Scale just mindless, extra-terrestrial bacteria? Or is it working - and killing - with a purpose?
10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful = Scorpion = Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky - Reason = machine/exoskeleton called a scorpion is major to the story
11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust = Archer = Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas - Reason = main character is named Archer - book 2 in in Throne of Glass eBook Bundle: An 8 Book Bundle which means I'll read all 8 books
12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble = Goat = Service Goat by Piers Anthony - Reason = investigating a goat haunting
13. A breath of fresh air = This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger - Reason = not SF&F but it's about 4 children who find a breath of fresh air
14. Playing with fire = The Machine Dynasty Omnibus by Madeline Ashby - Reason = Amy is playing with fire as her failsafe doesn't work
15. From the ground up = The Last Colony by John Scalzi - Reason = building a colony from the ground up
16. In deep waters = The Sea Watch by Adrian Tchaikovsky - Reason = mostly set in the deep ocean - this will be first read in Kindle format
17. Spring into action = Translation State by Ann Leckie - Reason = main character must spring into action after grandmaman dies
18. Sweet summer child = Selkie Summer by Ken MacLeod - Reason = set in the summer
19. Reap what you sow = Greensmith by Aliya Whiteley - Reason = seed librarian
20. On thin ice = The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - Reason = world of Ice? That'll do it and maybe I'll finally finish reading this?

Meredith wrote: "16. In deep waters - Crucible of Gold, Cold Fire, Witch King, In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex. Deep waters literal and metaphorical."

I'm rooting for In the Heart of the Sea. Such a great story.

CBRetriever wrote: "13. A breath of fresh air = This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger - Reason = not SF&F but it's about 4 children who find a breath of fresh air"

An excellent, emotional and eye-opening historical fiction. Good choice.

I did so badly on the 2023 version! Only 9 out of 20. I read plenty of other books, just not the ones I was trying to clear haha.

I will have to try harder in 2024!

All physical books currently on my shelves, most unread by me.

This plus the Zodiac Challenge adds up to a fairly ambitious program. Will see how I do.

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary

Galileo's Dream - Galileo was a revolutionary figure

2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic

✔️The Other Side - The author was primarily a visual artist. The book involves a Dream Realm. I read an earlier translation in the 70s but I barely remember it.

3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous

✔️Bush Runner: The Adventures of Pierre-Esprit Radisson - Radisson was nothing if not adventurous

4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable

✔️Wodehouse: A Life - Wodehouse was the consummate pro, reliiably turning out books for decades, and they can work well as comfort reading.

5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious

Arrive at Easterwine: The Autobiography of a Ktistec Machine

6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative

✔️Space Lords

It’s a long time since I read most of these stories. They are certainly imaginative and often moving.

7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous

✔️The Complete Ghost Stories of Charles Dickens - Dickens was often dramatic and humorous

8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical

✔️Stan's Kitchen - Includes essays as well as fiction and poetry

9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious

✔️The Gradual - A composer sent on a cultural tour of warring islands

10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful

Replacing Plutocrats with Big Men Fear Me. Replacing Big Men Fear Me with Henry VIII. replaced Henry VIII with

✔️The Loner: Three Sketches of the Personal Life and Ideas of R.B. Bennett, 1870-1947

11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust

The Islanders - Priest’s “Dream Archipelago”. Hopefully fits the prompt.

12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble

✔️Hard to Be a God - The Introduction to my copy by Ken MacLeod says the authors did a “noble deed” in publishing this book, i.e. resisted political evil and corruption

13. A breath of fresh air

Vagabonds - clash of cultures

14. Playing with fire

✔️Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster

15. From the ground up

✔️The Overstory - involves trees

16. In deep waters

✔️Starfish

17. Spring into action

✔️Lenin on the Train - Lenin’s return from exile in April 1917 - “into action”?

18. Sweet summer child

✔️Cat's Eye - I believe this involves a woman’s unpleasant childhood.

19. Reap what you sow

Greener Than You Think

20. On thin ice

Austral - set in warming Antarctica

All of these are books I already own. We’ll see if I’ll be more successful in finishing the TBR Challenge in 2024 than I was in 2023…

1. Authentic Aquarius - The Will to Battle
2. Popular Pisces - The Sandman, Vol. 3: Dream Country
3. Active Aries - Spear
4. Tender Taurus - The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy
5. Gentle Gemini -Lessons in Chemistry
6. Compassionate Cancer - Remarkably Bright Creatures
7. Limelight Leo - Witches Abroad
8. Veracious Virgo - Untenrum frei
9. Lively Libra - Gegen den Hass
10. Spirited Scorpio - Artificial Condition
11. Sweet Sagittarius - Neom
12. Capable Capricorn - Saga, Volume 1
13. A breath of fresh air - Eroberung
14. Playing with fire - Vita Nostra
15. From the ground up - The World We Make
16. In deep waters - Our Wives Under the Sea
17. Spring into action - Son of the Storm
18. Sweet summer child - your name.
19. Reap what you sow - Critical Role: The Mighty Nein—The Nine Eyes of Lucien
20. On thin ice - Harrow the Ninth

Love the list prompts! Thank you Mods! I decided to play a game of loose associations; for the Signs, loose associations with the symbols. There are a mix of physical and digital books in my collection, and a few “oh I’m going to get to that!” titles I don’t have in my possession yet. I’m leaving Spring and Summer open to decide ‘midst the season. :) Looking forward to 2024.
Progress: 20/20 - yay! (updated status/comments Dec 18, 2024)

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary
**The Water Knife, Paolo Bacigalupi (The Water-Bearer => controlling the water supply)

2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic
*The Spare Man, Mary Robinette Kowal (Two Fish => two fish in the sea => romantic couples => romantic couples on their honeymoon => in spaaaaace!)

3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous
*Piranesi, Susanna Clarke (The Ram => goat => faun => Piranesi book cover)

4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable
**The Darkest Part of the Forest, Holly Black (The Bull => horns => kid with horns)

5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious
**The Alchemyst, Michael Scott (The Twins => story with twins) - DNF, too much on the young end of young adult.
Replacement: Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott. The siblings in the story aren't twins, but their sibling relationship seems important to the story.

6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative
*The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock, Imogen Hermes Gowar (The Crab => some crabs => live in the sea => with mermaids) - It's good, but not pulling me in enough to keep going. I may look for an alternative.
Replacement: *A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe, Alex White (The Crab => crab nebula => space!)

7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous
**The Pride of Chanur, C.J. Cherryh (The Lion => lion-like creatures => in spaaaace => the Hani) - see comment for 6.
Replacement: *The Night Tiger, Yangsze Choo (The Lion => lions! => and tigers! => I stopped at tigers)

8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical
From Blood and Ash, Jennifer L. Armentrout (The Maiden => MC’s role in the book)

9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious
Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros (The Scales => scales => dragon scales)

10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful
Assassin's Apprentice, Robin Hobb (The Scorpion => poison => assassination) The poison association was spot on...

11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust
*Legends & Lattes, Travis Baldree (the archer = fighter = battle-weary orc)

12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble
*The Kaiju Preservation Society, John Scalzi (sea goat = made up animal = Kaiju a godzilla-like creature)

13. A breath of fresh air
**His Majesty's Dragon, Naomi Novik (air => aerial warfare) - It's been on my list for ages, after a friend with similar tastes recommended it to me. Loved it. Amazing how Novik presents the platonic friendship between the MC and the dragon, without detracting from the human relationships in the story.

14. Playing with fire
**Passage, Connie Willis (playing… with death!) Heavy, but engaging storytelling.

15. From the ground up
*The House Witch, Delemhach (the ground floor => the kitchen is usually on the ground floor => MC gets a job in the kitchen) DNF. This book desperately needed an editor to tighten it up. Everything was way over-explained, like getting mansplained to about how cars work by the random person on the other side of the pump at the gas station. It was tedious to get through the first 200 pages even though I was liking the characters and the premise.

Replacement: *Embassytown, China Miéville (Ground floor => building or creating something new => a human colony on a distant planet => seems to begin with the main character's childhood - i feel like I'm stretching it for this one, but that's ok)

16. In deep waters
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, Shannon Chakraborty (...pirates!)

17. Spring into action
The Once and Future Witches, Alix Harrow (Finally picked my book for spring - and, nice coincidence, the first scene starts on the spring equinox.)

18. Sweet summer child
Nettle & Bone - summer pick in June

19. Reap what you sow
**Gods of Jade and Shadow, Silvia Moreno-Garcia (reap => reaper => a God of Death)

20. On thin ice
*The Bear and the Nightingale, Katherine Arden (A lot of associations here: MC is on thin ice with her step mother, and everyone is on thin ice with nature. And it’s winter => ice. ) - I started reading this in the summer and realized it's more of a cold weather book. Hopefully will pick up again as the temperature drops!

Kristin wrote: "I decided to play a game of loose associations; for the Signs, loose associations with the symbols."

I like what you've done here, and some excellent books on that list!

As always, I'm enjoying reading everyone's selections (and stealing a few ideas for myself). My 2023 TBR challenge was an abject failure (too much other stuff getting in the way of my reading for pleasure) so I'm hoping to get back on track in 2024.

A few Terry Pratchett books, which is entirely intentional, and a couple from my kids' bookshelves.

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary. V for Vendetta - Alan Moore. A totalitarian state is challenged by a mysterious revolutionary.

2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic. The Sandman: Book Three - Neil Gaiman. The Sandman is the God of Dreams after all.

3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous. Voyages That Changed the World - Peter Aughton. A collection of true stories of naval exploration.

4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable. Saga, Volume 11 - Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples. Taurus the Bull. A bull has horns. Saga is set during a war between two alien races, one of which has horns.

5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs. The Canterville Ghost - Oscar Wilde. Both feature twins. A decision will be made… at some point… in the future… not now… later.

6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative. Soul Music - Terry Pratchett. Music is both emotional and imaginative.

7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous. The Lion - Conn Iggulden. Leo. Lion.

8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical. Black Science, Vol. 1: How to Fall Forever - Rick Remender. Science is analytical.

9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious. The Lost Heir - Tui T Sutherland. Shamelessly stealing Kristin’s idea of equating the Libran scales with dragon scales. My daughter desperately wants me to read this series, so I may as well include it in the challenge.

10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful. Anansi Boys - Neil Gaiman. Complicated and powerful may be the best way to describe a dysfunctional family of gods.

11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust. Small Gods - Terry Pratchett. Brutha the novice is the Chosen One. He wants peace and justice and brotherly love.

12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble. Men at Arms - Terry Pratchett. I’m not sure if the members of the Night Watch really qualify as ‘protective and noble’ but I’m running with it.

13. A breath of fresh air. Thin Air - Richard Morgan.

14. Playing with fire. Lords and Ladies - Terry Pratchett. Some ill-advised magic leads to some particularly nasty elves appearing on the Discworld.

15. From the ground up. Babel - R.F. Kuang. Towers are normally built from the ground up.

16. In deep waters. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea - Jules Verne.

17. Spring into action. Skulduggery Pleasant - Derek Landy. Skulduggery Pleasant and Stephanie Edgley must spring into action to save the world from an “all-consuming ancient evil”.

18. Sweet summer child. Summer of Blood: The Peasants' Revolt of 1381 - Dan Jones.

19. Reap what you sow. The Big Time - Fritz Leiber. Combatants in a temporal war travel back in time to change the future.

20. On thin ice. The Girl and the Stars - Mark Lawrence. Book 1 of the Book of the Ice.

I have 2 TBR shelves (because why not make things complicated). One is a standard TBR hoard. The other are others' recs. For fun, I’m only going to pull from the Recs list. And to help, I’m shooting for the shortest of the books on the list that I'm most interested in.


1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary
The Calculating Stars
‘Nuf said
431 pages (long, but fits real well and I’ve heard good things)

2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic
Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy
Been wanting an excuse to buy this for ages
128 pgs

3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous
The Forgotten Door
Nothing more optimistic than a telepathic amnesiac alien
144 pgs

4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable
The Castle of Otranto
Oldest SFF on my shelf - pub’d in 1764 - old is soothing/dependable, right?
125 pgs

5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious
Ronia, the Robber's Daughter
Sounds like children Robin Hood + Romeo and Juliet
176pgs

6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative
The Wild Robot
Castaway Robot befriending nature
279 pgs

7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous
The Strange Case of Mr. Salad Monday
Steampunk mystery
32 pgs

8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical
Cat Pictures Please and Other Stories
Hugo, Locus, etc winning stories
313 total pgs - 17 shorts

9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious
The Thief
Magus to the King searches for an ancient treasure
280 pgs

10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful
The Steerswoman
Quests, killer wizards, treasured jewels
279 pgs

11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust
The Secret of Platform 13
Hidden world of magic in London
231 pgs

12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble
The Faerie Hounds of York
Macbeth + Robin Hood but with actual dream monsters, not hallucinations
201 pgs

13. A breath of fresh air
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking
1) want to smell cookies 2) I need more humor in my reading
308 pgs

14. Playing with fire
Piranesi
Labyrinth frolics with high stakes
245 pgs

15. From the ground up
God Stalk
Amnesiac regains memories wandering thru haunted wastes
271 pgs

16. In deep waters
The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water
Basically just bc of the title and blurb says “finds herself in a far more complicated situation”
176 pages

17. Spring into action
Illuminations
Race to save a city that runs on magical illuminators
270 pgs

18. Sweet summer child
Gobbelino London & a Scourge of Pleasantries
This sounds fun and sweet and full of puns!
324 pgs

19. Reap what you sow
Into the Forest: Tales of the Baba Yaga
I feel like Baba Yaga always gives back tenfold what is thrown at her
279 pgs - 7 ish short stories

20. On thin ice
The Crystal Cave
ice/water/crystal :)
494 pages (but I’ve been wanting to read it for AGES)

Sarah wrote: "5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious
Ronia, the Robber's Daughter
Sounds like children Robin Hood + Romeo and Juliet"

No romance in this one :) But lots of curiosity!

I like that you have a separate recs shelf, that's a great idea!

I'm going to recycle books I still haven't read from the 2023 challenge if I can fit them in. They're all sitting on my physical shelves, silently judging me 😂

20/20

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary - January 23 – February 20
✔ Poslednja Želja by Andrzej Sapkowski - First published on January 31
2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic - February 21 – March 21
✔ The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke - definitely a dreamy vibe
3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous - March 22 – April 20
✔ Those Left Behind by Joss Whedon - The crew of the Firefly maybe not exactly optimistic, but they're definitely adventurous 😅
4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable - April 21 – May 21
✔The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien - My first love in fantasy, I always depend on it being soothing when life gets me down :D
5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious - May 22 – June 21
✔ Mort by Terry Pratchett - Mort had to be pretty adaptable to star working as Death's apprentice. Maybe he was a bit too adaptable.
6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative - June 22 – July 22
✔ Dnevnici Ubibota - Prvi deo by Martha Wells - The first four books of the Murderbot Diaries, in Serbian. I definitely cried more than once while reading this.
7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous - July 23 – August 23
✔ Duchess in the Attic: Volume 1 - Televenovela level of drama!
8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical - August 24 – September 22
✔ Remember Tomorrow by Jordan Castillo Price - Both MCs must be attentive to details and analytical due to the nature of their job
9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious - September 23 – October 23
✔ Dark Matter by Blake Crouch - Blake Crouch is a Libra
10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful - October 24 – November 22
✔ The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien - I don't think this needs an explanation!
11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust - November 23 – December 22
✔ Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett - the main baddie wants the maid to marry the prince, and the witches go on a trip to "foreign parts" because of it
12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble - December 23 – January 22
✔ The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist - An invasion of people from another planet through a rift made by magic roots out noble and protective people from the rest
13. A breath of fresh air
✔ Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
14. Playing with fire
✔ Red Rising by Pierce Brown
15. From the ground up
✔ Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros - Dragons!
16. In deep waters
✔ Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett - The city of Ankh-Morepork is in serious trouble - it is now ruled by a dragon!
17. Spring into action
✔ The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien - The time has come to go into open battle!
18. Sweet summer child
✔ The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells - the protagonist sounds like he fits the prompt
19. Reap what you sow
✔ Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
20. On thin ice
✔ Dawn by Octavia E. Butler - "Merging" with an alien race to survive as a species sounds precarious

We must have the same breed of judgy books on our shelves, Tamara!

Trying to get through some books I've had on my tbr for a while.

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary
The Catcher in the Rye
2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic
The Picture of Dorian Grey
3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous
Anne of Green Gables
4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within
5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious
The House in the Cerulean Sea
6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative
The Glass Castle
7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical
A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science
9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious
Circe
10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful
Battle Royale
11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust
Phantastes
12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble
Midnight, Water City
13. A breath of fresh air
Prince of Thorns
14. Playing with fire
Children of Time
15. From the ground up
The Three-Body Problem
16. In deep waters
The Girl from the Sea
17. Spring into action
Into the Labyrinth
18. Sweet summer child
Alanna: The First Adventure
19. Reap what you sow
The Burning God
20. On thin ice
The Citadel of Fear: A Lost World Mystery

excellent picks, I see the connections!

This is going to be the year I finally complete this challenge. For real. lol

2/20 complete

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary
Infinity Gate by M.R. Carey
2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson
3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous
The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable
The King of Infinite Space by Lyndsay Faye
5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joël Dicker
6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative
All's Well by Mona Awad
7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical
Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway
9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious
The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O'Keefe
10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust
The Wilderwomen by Ruth Emmie Lang
12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble
The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan
13. A breath of fresh air
Breathless by Amy McCulloch
14. Playing with fire
Fever House by Keith Rosson
15. From the ground up
Elevation by Stephen King
16. In deep waters
The Swarm by Frank Schätzing
17. Spring into action
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
18. Sweet summer child
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
19. Reap what you sow
Don't Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones
20. On thin ice
The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

As an added bonus I think these are all books I own in some format or another, so that’s exciting!

Well, even finding books for each prompt is kind of a challenge in itself, so this is more of a placeholder so far, I'll add books as I find the matches I like.
Quite possibly, I'll change these a lot and even match after having read a book, as (especially with zodiac signs) I rarely know what to expect of a book before I start reading it.

But at least it will be fun to find the matches. :)

✔️ 1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary - Infinite Jest
✔️ 2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic - Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous - A Wizard of Earthsea
✔️ 4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable - The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England
✔️ 5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious - The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport
✔️ 6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative - The Night Circus
✔️ 7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous - Мастер и Маргарита
8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical - Storm Front
✔️ 9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious - The Left Hand of Darkness
10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful - Il pendolo di Foucault
✔️ 11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust - The Steerswoman
✔️ 12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble - The Sunlit Man
✔️ 13. A breath of fresh air - The Wave in the Mind: Talks and Essays on the Writer, the Reader and the Imagination
✔️ 14. Playing with fire - These Burning Stars
15. From the ground up - Skyward
✔️ 16. In deep waters - The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
✔️ 17. Spring into action - Dungeon Crawler Carl
✔️ 18. Sweet summer child - Childhood's End
✔️ 19. Reap what you sow - Parable of the Sower
✔️ 20. On thin ice - Jade City

I like the open interpretation, so I'm in!

20/20 Completed October 25th

1. Authentic Aquarius – The Changeling by Victor LaValle – Traits: Independent, risky business, fighting for a cause ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

2. Popular Pisces – A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross – Traits: Artistic (Bard), Romance, Water on Cover ⭐⭐⭐⭐

3. Active Aries - Bookshops & Bonedust by Baldree, Travis – Traits: MC is adventurous and book sets up Book 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

4. Tender Taurus – LabyrinthLabyrinth by Bujold, interesting take on the story of the Minotaur, character named Taura. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious -Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Fawcett, Heather – Traits: Romance is opposites attract, and MC is curious about Faerie Mysteries. DNF

6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative – Jade War by Fonda Lee – Plot is imaginative and I am emotionally attached to some of the characters. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous - Such Sharp Teethby Rachel Harrison – Black humor, some romance, and all the drama! I really liked it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

8. Veracious Virgo - A Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin – Traits: The MC is a doctor and must be analytical and attentive to solve the cases. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious - Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo – Traits: Cleric Chih must act as a diplomat to save their order. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

10. Spirited Scorpio – Winter Lost by Patricia Briggs – Main Character, Mercy Thompson, has a November 20 birthday, making her a Scorpio. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

11. Sweet Sagittarius - The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport – Traits: Optimistic MC’s try to save a city.⭐⭐⭐

12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble - Wicked Problems Traits: Protective and steadfast characters who believe that their POV is true and just. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

13. A breath of fresh air - A Murder Most French by Colleen Cambridge – This promises to be a breezy mystery ⭐⭐⭐⭐

14. Playing with fire – The Library at Mount Char– Char in title, coup that leads to disaster, the Brass Bull BBQ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

15. From the ground up – Thistlefoot – Rebuilding a relationship ⭐⭐⭐⭐

16. In deep waters - The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates – Water is a theme in the book - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

17. Spring into action - A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes – Retelling of the Trojan War through the eyes of the women affected by it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

18. Sweet summer child –Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson - On the eve of the summer solstice, four young girls take the oath to join Her Majesty's Royal Coven - DNF - This wasn't for me at all which is a huge disappointment.

19. Reap what you sow – Clytemnestra Agamemnon gets what's coming to him. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

20. On thin ice – Babel Revolution within the British empire makes for some tough decisions. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I hope I'm allowed to make suggestions. If not, someone tell me to hush!

I don't know if it will help anyone trying to match books to the prompts, but I just read Scorpio, a quasi-military sf. It was indeed a complicated scenario with some uber-powerful aliens.

I think that's excellent, thanks for sharing! The more I see that one come up, the more tempted I am to read it, too.