READER HOROSCOPE FOR APRIL 2018
Spring into your literary portents from the stars
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Aries! Bust out the birthday crown and bubbly, because it’s finally time to celebrate YOU. Of course, once the party has died down and your last guest hugs you goodbye, it’s time to sit in the silence and do some reflecting. You’re one year older: how have you changed in the past year? What’s remained the same? Do you still hope to reach the same goals, or have your benchmarks shifted? Life has a way of completely upending expectations formed when we were still naive enough to believe in the illusion of control: whether it was a pivotal move, job acceptance, or relationship beginning or ending, circumstances rarely play out the way we originally imagine. On one hand, it’s a blessing, because how boring would life be if we could accurately predict every twist and turn? And on the other, of course, is the heartache and sometimes downright embarrassment of being caught off-guard with stunning regularity. Luckily, you aren’t alone, Aries! It’s completely normal to feel bewildered and unpracticed at the game of your own life, as long as you do your best to learn from the lessons it foists upon you. Your lucky book this month may unearth some of those memories, or simply act as a confidant and companion in trying times. Sloane Crosley’s signature wicked humor and frank truth-telling in this timeless essay collection make it feel like you’re swapping stories with an old friend whose kooky setbacks always make you feel slightly better (or just understood) about your own.
LUCKY BOOK: I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley
A change is gonna come, Taurus! And while that is definitely not your preferred state of things, it’s inevitable, so as much as you can, get ready to embrace it. After all, from the very moment we enter the world, hollering and exposed, change becomes the only constant: growing up, learning from minute to minute, observing the ever-shifting tides of the wider world around you. You establish belief systems and views based on your upbringing and what you consider just. But sometimes, those beliefs are tested, and the accumulated wisdom from your experiences forces you to reexamine what you once thought to be unshakable. A scary occurrence, to be sure, but never one to run away from. When you begin to feel the panic of once-trusted convictions crumbling around you, do your best to look your fear directly in the eye. What are you noticing? What are you trying to escape? And what are you headed towards? Ease some of the tension you’re experiencing by losing yourself in this month’s lucky book: a thrilling and fantastical short story collection that examines the nature of life through its stages: love, conception, gestation, birth, death. We’re all familiar with them, yet it can become all too easy to feel like you’re experiencing them in a vacuum – not so. Allow yourself to be reminded of the universality of doubt, of questioning and recalibrating, and let change you’re going through illuminate a new way forward.
LUCKY BOOK: A Guide to Being Born by Ramona Ausubel
You are Gemini! Let’s hear you ROAR! This month, you’re completely fired and ready to go. Let’s face it: we’re living through some very challenging times, and the pace and content of our breaking news alerts can feel downright dystopic. But there are a number of different ways to engage with that reality, and this month, you’re not feeling particularly inclined to mourn, mope, or stick your fingers into your ears. With the resurgence of spring comes a wave of energy that has you feeling inspired to activism, whatever that might mean for you. Ready to arm yourself with signs and take to the streets? Organize a night of letter-writing making calls to Congress? Creating fundraisers for your favorite charities? There are an abundance of ways to raise your voice in support of the causes that matter the most to you, and we salute your commitment to righting some of the world’s many, many wrongs. Just don’t allow yourself to get so swept up in your vision that you lose sight of the people around you – especially the people who share a similar goal, but maybe not always the same methods. Buoyed by righteous indignation, it can be alarmingly easy to slip into a dictator-like role rather than listen and compromise when the stakes feel high. For a story that gorgeously and deftly explores modern-day feminism through the lens of a bright young woman, your lucky book this month is guaranteed to please. Simultaneously succinct yet taking a generational view of a few crucial, groundbreaking aspects of women’s liberation, this novel will only stoke your fire, while reminding you of the importance of listening, collaboration, and learning from the people around you.
LUCKY BOOK: The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
Hey there, Cancer! Welcome to a brand new month. It won’t be a totally smooth one, but alas, that’s life. There are times that it seems as though no matter what you do, you just can’t win. Even worse, the people you’re closest to – partner, best friends, parents, siblings – are sometimes your loudest naysayers. What is that about? Here’s the thing: the ones you know us best are usually able to see our blind spots. If you ate a hearty spinach salad for lunch and had several pieces stuck in your teeth, you’d be furious if someone who claimed to love you pretended not to see it, wouldn’t you? Well, it may be a decidedly less benign issue than impacted spinach, but the fact is, there’s likely an aspect of your life that you’re unwittingly messing up right now, and your loved ones are the only ones in the best position to let you know. Try not to jump to a defensive position, but listen to what they’re saying and take their observations to heart. Maybe their concern is completely unfounded, but most likely, there’s a kernel of truth (if not more) that you can benefit from. They’re helping you. Don’t allow anyone to trash you, of course, but if you feel their intentions are pure, then accept that help, for your sake and for theirs. And consider the alternative: it’s laid out in your lucky book this month. Think of all the poor souls in positions of high visibility and power who didn’t have anyone save them from themselves until it was too late, and they suffered a takedown in front of thousands or even millions of friends, acquaintances, and total strangers. Cautionary tale! Don’t give yourself the chance to be put in that position – accept the humbling advice, and thank your loved ones for getting you together.
LUCKY BOOK: So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson
Into April and through the looking glass, huh Leo? Things are feeling pretty topsy-turvy lately, and it’s beginning to make you a bit seasick. The bad news is, you’re going to have to live with it a bit longer. You’re in a moment of flux: old routines, relationships, and habits that you’ve come to rely on are suddenly changing, often without your permission or preparation. It can be terrifying to feel as though you’ve suddenly lost the plot, and you’re set adrift in what used to be the familiar landmarks of your own life. But! The good news: it will end, eventually. Things will settle and re-organize themselves into a new normal. You can adapt; you will be fine. But until then, figure out some ways to cope with this moment of transition. What are your core beliefs, things that you can turn to when everything else seems wonky and unsure? It can be as simple as returning to a beloved childhood book or movie, attending a religious service, or quiet meditation. Don’t let a few shake-ups disrupt your entire sense of self and stability; after all, you’re still here, aren’t you? Of course, sometimes it helps to have some perspective, and dive into a world where characters are experiencing some similar emotions and handling things all wrong. (Call it literary schadenfreude, the best kind, because it’s guilt-free!) Your lucky book this month features a woman who can’t quite control her reckless impulses when her life begins to spiral out of her control. A startling and moving examination of how race and class collide in 1980s Brooklyn, but darkly sharp enough to feel incredibly relevant today. You’re feeling unsettled? This will settle you right back in!
LUCKY BOOK: New People by Danzy Senna
Oh, Virgo! The advent of Spring is so often a disjointed, murky phenomenon, with indecisive weather outside and inconsistency inside. Messy, in other words. And if there’s one thing you do not relish, it’s mess! Fortunately, the clouds and rain will make way for the sun, but it’s just going to take a bit of time. But think about it this way: when the clutter of life begins to build, the friction it creates helps us get some stuff done more thoroughly than we may have otherwise. Rather than take a depressingly long view, zoom in on the particulars: what is there to be done? If you’re stressed at work, devote an afternoon to cleaning your email inbox. It’s not a sweeping gesture that makes all things right again, but it’s a tangible step towards clarity and peace. Did you find a mouse in your apartment last week that you refuse to think about now? Do yourself a favor and just make the call to an exterminator. Small steps! In every area of your life, pinpoint the rough parts that are bringing you anxiety and pick them off, bit by tiny bit. Progress may be slow, but it’s still progress. You’re getting a doozy of a lucky book this month, one that’s guaranteed to put all of your current issues of perspective yet continue to illuminate the power of making purposeful steps toward your salvation (by whichever scale you happen to measure it). A young boy flung far from his home, pursued by danger and traversing an apocalyptic, barren country, must learn how to choose hope and bravery over despair. In a dystopian world where morals have melted away and one wrong movement can mean sudden death, all he can do is keep his wits about him and keep moving forward. A valuable lesson to absorb, though thankfully at much lower stakes!
LUCKY BOOK: Out in the Open by Jesús Carrasco
Welcome to a brand new month, Libra! And a brand new season to boot. April will bring its challenges, so be prepared for a bit of turbulence. Some of your relationships are about to be tested in a real way, but if you really think about it, that shouldn’t come as a surprise. It can be very easy to let small hurts slide, temporarily let go of missteps and frustrations for the sake of calm and keeping a cool head in the midst of a busy schedule. But the reckoning always comes, sooner or later! Those flashes of irritation don’t really go away if they’re not addressed, they just get buried for the time being. Use this new beginning to have some difficult conversations; you desperately need to vent. And most likely, your partner/friend/family member/coworker does too! Maintain focus on what you need (don’t forget your “I” statements!) and don’t meander into unrelated topics. Think of this as another aspect of spring cleaning: you’re clearing away the debris from past wounds to make room for the goodness and growth to come. Tackling these difficult moments with grace and knowing when to compromise, when to concede, and when to de-escalate are the telltale signs of a healthy, mature relationship, romantic and platonic alike. Your lucky book this month is a modern classic, a hilarious tale of an emotional stunted adult that will paint your relationship endeavors this month in an even more flattering light! It follows the story of ultra-cool Will Freeman, who’s developed the ultimate dating hack: attend single parents’ groups full of single women hoping to meet Mr. Nice Guy. But along comes twelve-year-old Marcus, who takes a liking to Will and turns his seemingly foolproof strategy upside down. Grab this one when you need a mental break from the relationship heavy-lifting; it’ll be sure to provide some laughs when you need them most.
LUCKY BOOK: About a Boy by Nick Hornby
Scorpio, what’s going on? April’s just begun and it’s already got you down! If you feel yourself growing increasingly stressed by the day, take a step back and look around. Attacking your problems head on will only work if you know what to attack, and right now, your anxiety feels too broad and uncertain to allow for much clarity. Time to embark upon a cleaning mission – whether that be literal, and you spend a weekend cleaning your apartment or work space from top to bottom; or metaphorical, and you spend a weekend away, doing some intense inner reflection and meditation – whatever your methods, it’s time to take a short break from life and its stressors in favor of getting yourself back to center. Where are you feeling particularly blocked? What’s standing in your way? You may be surprised by the answers to these questions. But they won’t come to you right away; it takes work and patience to discover these parts of yourself, especially if you’ve been unknowingly hiding from them for a long time. Be intentional: commit yourself to emerging from this place of negativity you’ve been stuck in, but trust yourself to the process. Once you’ve decided to take action and you begin your internal excavation, then allow yourself to truth your own intuition. Don’t dismiss anything that seems like a “stray” thought – follow them, examine them, see where they lead. Your lucky book this month is thematically appropriate to the struggle you’re working through, as it follows the waterways that branch off from the Colorado River, an essential source for a large part of the United States. A fascinating tale of the many issues affecting our watery ecosystem and how crucial a functional system is for our futures, this book can be a meaningful reminder of what is lost when we fail to acknowledge the many through-lines of our choices and habits. After all, they all have to lead somewhere.
LUCKY BOOK: Where the Water Goes by David Owen
Happy April, Sag! The sun is shining (…sort of), flowers are just beginning to bloom, and you’re in the mood to make moves. Money moves, to be specific. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with that! It makes the world go ‘round, after all, and financial freedom is a blessing. All of that said, chasing meaningless money is the quickest way to end up miserable. Rather, put your talents and interests to work. What do you enjoy doing? What are you good at? If you can imagine it, there is probably a way for you to monetize it. We live in a sharing economy, after all, and it’s easier than ever to market and brand yourself for broad audiences. Of course, balance is key. Too much ambition and you may end up corrupting a once-loved hobby by only taking pleasure in it if brings in some quick cash. Too little and you’re trapped in an endless cycle of procrastination and feeling like a failure. Remember that the only person you should be aiming to impress is YOU, not the other sculptors, essayists, knitters, or dog walkers you follow on social media. Keep your sets sight on the goals you aim to achieve, the milestones you take pleasure in working toward. It will keep your creativity flowing and your momentum steady. Your lucky book this month is about a young woman who grows up watching two groups of fishermen caught up in a generational feud over fishing rights for the water between their islands, off the coast of Maine. When she returns home after college, determined to make a name for herself among this group of headstrong, gruff men, she must reckon with her place in this new society and what she alone can bring to the table.
LUCKY BOOK: Stern Men by Elizabeth Gilbert
Happy April, Cap! The seasons are slowly changing and the emerging sun and warmth are having incredible effects on your productivity and presence. Simply put, you’re in your element this month, a bit heady with power, in whatever arena feels most applicable: in the board room, in your relationship, with your friend group, or some combination of all those and more. People are sitting up and paying attention when you speak, deferring to your ideas, coming to you for guidance and encouragement. If you feel proud, you should: you’ve worked hard to get to where you are, and you deserve that recognition. But as you settle into your new status as a leader, don’t forget yourself or where you came from. That is, tread lightly. Don’t allow your influence to get to your head, and undo all of the work you’ve done to make it this far. It’s cliche because it’s true: power can easily corrupt, so be intentional about the decisions you’re making, how you treat the people around you, and how you conduct yourself. You could be riding this high for a long time, Cap, if you play your right cards right. For inspiration, turn to your lucky book: a sweeping, satisfying tale of a young business tycoon who builds an empire on water, an increasingly scarce ingredient, and recruits other young people from all over “rising Asia” to join him in his quest. But more than untold riches and power, the young businessman hopes to win the affections of a beautiful woman whose career is similarly bound for greatness. In the midst of a rapidly changing world, these two young people are forced to come to terms with what power and riches truly mean, and how much is worth sacrificing to attain them.
LUCKY BOOK: How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid
Is this all a dream, Aquarius? Or is what you’re experiencing real? April is here, and it’s got you feeling decidedly…trippy. Rather like an extended episode of deja vu, or just like you haven’t gotten enough sleep for past two weeks (which may very well be true; smart phones in bed are a habit you should try to break sooner rather than later!), you’re having more trouble than usual making sense of what’s happening around you. You’ve had a few encounters lately that left you feeling distinctly off-kilter, like there was some giant hint you weren’t picking up on, or social cue you’d utterly missed. Or maybe it’s the inverse of that issue, and you’re blurting things out that you’d normally filter, causing your friends and family to give you that look more often that usual. Yeah, you know the one. Don’t panic, you’re fine. You’re probably just in sore need of a break. March was a trying month and your brain needs a break! Take a few steps away from the hustle of your every day and escape to somewhere quiet for a few days, where you won’t be expected to make sparkling conversation to struggle to remember the names of the five strangers you just met at a stuffy work event. Bust out your old journal and write what you’re thinking, feeling, wishing for. Unload some of the stress that’s carried over from last month and what you’re hoping to accomplish in April. And then, for goodness’ sake, take a few naps! In between these essential moments of R&R, though, get your blood pumping and brain engaged with a riveting tale: a legal conspiracy steeped in racism that shocked the nation in 1957. There is nothing like the satisfaction of witnessing a truly gifted journalist at work, slowly peeling back the layers of subterfuge and lies to get to the long-concealed truth. You’ll relish this one, and by the end, you’ll be raring to jump back into the fray of human society, if for anything, to tell someone else about this book.
LUCKY BOOK: Beneath a Ruthless Sun by Gilbert King
What’s good, Pisces? April’s barely arrived and your social calendar is half full already! Understandable – the glimpses of warmer weather have probably awakened a desire for outdoor brunches and long walks through the park that were in hibernation during the long, cold months of winter. So socialize away! But as you’re putting yourself out there for one-on-one time or group hang time, be mindful of who you’re penciling into your life. You tend to pride yourself on knowing when to cut toxic people out, but those individuals have a way of creeping back in when your defenses are low. It’s a new month, it’s a new day, and you’ve come too far to backslide now. Maintain a squad of true friends who have proven that they’re looking out for your best interests, just as they know you’d do for them. If a family member becomes too demanding and controlling, don’t be afraid to make your discomfort known. Closed mouths don’t get fed, after all, and keeping consistently healthy relationships means that sometimes, you need to have uncomfortable conversations that tell the truth. If you open yourself up to people, then you have to accept that not every interaction will be 100% pleasant, and be prepared to respond accordingly. Luckily, your selection for the month is engrossing and thrilling enough to offer you the distraction you’ll most likely need from various pockets of fiction. A short story that examines the ties that bind us to each other through gripping narration and sprinkles of magical realism and myth, this is one that you’ll tear through and walk away from forever slightly changed.
LUCKY BOOK: What It Means When a Man Falls From the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah
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