Elements, yes! Not like the periodic table but like what your astrological sign falls under. Let’s break it down. There are four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. Your star sign falls into one of those based on traits and qualities you posses, so like, of course we have to compare it to the books you’re into, it only makes sense. So let’s see what the elements are telling us:
What is Your Element Telling You to Read?
Fire Signs:
If you are an Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius, then you my friend are FIRE! You tell it like it is, you do not break easily and you will literally do anything but put yourself down. You are confident and like the red hot flames themselves, you will burn whatever stands in your path to greatness. In each of these books, the protagonists are strong and resilient. In Crown of Feathers, Veronyka stops at nothing to be a warrior. Nina from Slayer doesn’t think she has what it takes but soon realizes her potential, and in When We Were Magic, there is so much girl power, you’ll be more empowered to do anything after reading it!
1. Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto
An Ember in the Ashes meets Three Dark Crowns in this lush debut fantasy novel about a girl who disguises herself as a boy to join a secret group of warriors that ride phoenixes into battle.
2. When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey
Alexis has always been able to rely on two things: her best friends, and the magic powers they all share. Their secret is what brought them together, and their love for each other is unshakeable—even when that love is complicated. Complicated by problems like jealousy, or insecurity, or lust. Or love.
3. Slayer by Kiersten White
From bestselling author Kiersten White comes the first novel in a series set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that introduces a new Slayer as she grapples with the responsibility of managing her incredible powers that she’s just beginning to understand.
Earth Signs:
Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorns are our Earth dwellers! Just like the solid ground, they too are hard to move. Trust me, if you are running a debate or are about to go on a biting, long journey. Invite an someone who is under the Earth element. Once they believe in something there is no changing their mind and once they are on your side, they will stay. Loyalty is their language.
1. Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
The first novel in a brand-new trilogy where evil hides in plain sight and love cuts deeper than any blade. Chain of Gold is a Shadowhunters novel. Gold IS an Earth element so not only does the next Shadowhunters book have the same characteristics but the intensity is also something our earthies live for.
2. Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian
From the author of The Last Boy and Girl in the World and The List comes a bold and sweet summer read about first love, feminism, and ice cream. In Stay Sweet, Ameila stands her ground, despite all the changes her beloved ice cream stand is going through. Just because Grady, the late owner’s grand-nephew, is technically now in charge doesn’t stop Amelia. She’s determined to keep what’s important alive.
3. Tradition by Brendan Kiely
From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Brendan Kiely, a stunning novel that explores the insidious nature of tradition at a prestigious boarding school. This book breaks down so many important messages and is truly a message of how to break down walls to fight for what is right.
Air Signs:
Whooooooosh, here they come! Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. The signs that KNOW how to have a good time. The wind can go in all different directions, catch any sort of thing it passes, and has the ability to change in a second. Well, that is literally the qualities of these star signs. Geminis LOVE to talk, it doesn’t matter whom with, like the wind, they go with the flow and let the convo go where it must. Libras are very indecisive, like the wind, their minds go everywhere, they see the good and the bad in everything and are literal professionals at pros and con lists. Then the Aquarius, one of the smartest signs there is, they have some true strength that could knock down any debate you throw their way, a tornado of knowledge.
1. Permanent Record by Mary H. K. Choi
On paper, college dropout Pablo Rind doesn’t have a whole lot going for him. His graveyard shift at a twenty-four-hour deli in Brooklyn is a struggle.
Pop juggernaut Leanna Smart has enough social media followers to populate whole continents. The brand is unstoppable. She graduated from child stardom to become an international icon. This book speaks to the air sign’s common characteristic of being spontaneous, they understand more than any of our elements, that sometimes things just happen and we have to flow with it. The people who come into our lives can surprise us and that’s what makes life interesting.
2. P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
In the sequel of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Lara Jean has some BIG decisions to make. She didn’t expect to actually fall for Peter, but she did and now it’s far more than just pretending but then enter John Ambrose, the last boy to receive Lara Jean’s long lost love letter. Now, she has to choose, but as all air signs know, it’s so hard to make choices!
3. Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Before Sloane, Emily didn’t go to parties, she barely talked to guys, and she didn’t do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—someone who yanks you out of your shell. But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. There’s just a random to-do list with thirteen bizarre tasks that Emily would never try. But what if they can lead her to Sloane? Air signs have a habit of making one’s life crazy but in the best, most exciting kind of way. Sometimes you never see what they have coming for you but when it happens, you wouldn’t change a thing.
Water Signs:
Water is fluid and gentle. Well, Pieces, Cancers, and Scorpios definitely have traits of this majestic element! First off, all of our water signs can appreciate a good cry. They might not always like to admit it, but they love things that they can feel. Whatever they do, they do it with their hearts and they are probably some of the most loving people you will ever meet. Like the touch of rain drops on your bare skin, they are graceful at the core. All these books have one thing in common: they WILL (if not make you sob uncontrollably) touch your sensitive side.
1. A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti
Each step on Annabelle’s 2,700 mile cross-country run brings her closer to facing a trauma from her past in National Book Award finalist Deb Caletti’s novel about the heart, all the ways it breaks, and its journey to healing. Because sometimes against our will, against all odds, we go forward. Basically if you want to cry AND be empowered at the same exact time, this is your book, water signs.
2. Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
In this #1 New York Times bestselling novel that’s perfect for fans of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, two teens fall in love with just one minor complication—they can’t get within a few feet of each other without risking their lives. If life threatening love won’t make you tender, I honestly don’t know what will. Water signs will most appreciate the level of sentiment throughout this book. Warning: tissues needed!
3. Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman
This is book is beautiful, lyrical, and heart wrenching! The main character Rumi must deal with life after her beloved sister, Lea, dies suddenly in a car crash. Rumi’s mother sends her away to Hawaii as she deals with her own grief. Though these islands teach Rumi something and she has to learn what she wants to become. Need I say more, water sign?