Books Forward March 2021 Newsletter

Check out the latest newsletter featuring our award-winning authors and industry news. This issue features upcoming book releases, recent media coverage and much more!

Read the March 2021 newsletter here!

Books Forward BFFs March 2021 Newsletter

Check out the latest newsletter for our Books Forward Friends. This issue features some fun reading lists, highlights of our BFFs, upcoming events, and the announcement of our bookish T-shirt giveaway winner!

Read the March 2021 newsletter here!

Books Forward February 2021 Newsletter

Check out the latest newsletter featuring our award-winning authors and industry news. This issue features upcoming book releases, recent media coverage and much more!

Read the February 2021 newsletter here!

Books Forward BFFs February 2021 Newsletter

Check out the latest newsletter for our Books Forward Friends. This issue features some fun lists, highlights of our BFFs, upcoming events, and special giveaways!

Read the February 2021 newsletter here!

Books Forward BFFs January 2021 Newsletter

Check out the latest newsletter for our Books Forward Friends. This issue features upcoming events, a special pre-order offer, highlights our BFFs, and much more!

Read the January 2021 newsletter here!

Books Forward January 2021 Newsletter

Check out the latest newsletter featuring our award-winning authors and industry news. This issue features upcoming book releases, recent media coverage and much more!

Read the January 2021 newsletter here!

Books Forward staff’s fav reads of 2020

Needless to say, 2020 has been…a year. But one thing we could always depend on throughout the weird year was our favorite thing: books. Check out some of the reads that the Books Forward staff read this past year and absolutely loved — some of them might even make it onto your 2021 TBR!

Ellen, senior publicist:

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

I really leaned into hardcore fantasy this year, and Priory was an absolute standout: The way the author weaves together the story tendrils, the flawed and intriguing characters, the casual queerness in the world and THE DRAGONS all really resonated with me.

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

Sometimes I have a hard time with memoirs that touch on heavy subject matter, but Chanel Miller is an astounding writer and person, and I’ll read anything she writes.

Corrine, junior publicist:

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides 

This book had me on the edge of my seat from the second I picked it up to the moment I finished it 24 hours later.

Brittany, digital marketing coordinator:

When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole

This book had a high-intensity, unpredictable ending — I felt like I was in the latest Netflix binge-worthy show and needed to finish it ASAP. The way Cole twisted gentrification into a thriller left me even more shook at how deep rooted systemic racism can be. This book is scary in more ways than one.

Jenn, publicist:

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

I feel like I’ve talked about this book so much this year but that’s how good it is — Gyasi’s writing is some of the most beautiful prose I’ve had the honor to read, and the way she weaves multiple stories between generations is a true work of art.

Wool by Hugh Howey

I’m not usually a fan of science-fiction, so I was pleasantly surprised with how into this book I got (and I’m talking stay up way too long, losing sleep into it). I was immediately sucked into the story and world Howey built and now have the rest of the series on my TBR.

Jackie, publicist:

Bunny by Mona Awad

This creepy horror story praised by Margaret Atwood as “genius” is also surprisingly funny as a satire of MFA programs, and definitely one of the weirdest, most unforgettable books I’ve read!

Angelle, lead publicist:

How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones

Saeed Jones recounts his life in a series of vignettes, reflecting on his adolescence growing up in the South, his budding sexuality, race, relationships, family dynamics and grief. I picked this incredible memoir up as a group read with the Books Forward team, and I’ve been recommending it to everyone I know!

Books Forward December 2020 Newsletter

Read the latest newsletter featuring our award winning authors and industry news. This issue features upcoming events and book releases!

Download the December 2020 newsletter here!

Books Forward BFFs December 2020 Newsletter

Read the latest newsletter featuring our award winning authors and industry news. This issue features upcoming events and book releases!

Download the December 2020 newsletter here!

What’s your sign? Pair your Zodiac with these stellar books

 

Ah, astrology. Whether you’re a casual believer, a devoted birth chart developer, or you think it’s a load of Taurus dung, we all have a sign. And if our Zodiac truly aligns with our personality, that means there’s a book out there that’s just meant to be read by us. Check out this list we’ve compiled of books compatible with your astrological sun sign (aka, the sign that falls on the date you were born).

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

If you’re an Aquarius, you’re likely highly intellectual, using your knowledge to help others. If we’re spot on — and we usually are — you should pick up “How to Be an Antiracist,” by Ibram X. Kendi. The book fuses ethics, history, law and so much more to create a primer for how to begin reshaping the way we think about race in the U.S. Utilize your humanity-driven style and forward-thinking attitude to learn about paving the way for a more equitable society.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Oh, sweet Pisces. If only everyone were as selfless and adept at forming strong relationships like you. In fact, it kind of reminds of us Percy Jackson from “The Lightning Thief,” by Rick Riordan. It’s only fitting that a Pisces’ ruling planet is Neptune aka Poseidon aka Percy’s dad in this popular middle grade series. Whether it’s using your intuition to suss out traitors or honing in on your compassion to save your friends, we have a feeling you share a lot in common with this demigod.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Running head first into dangerous situations, Aries are known for being aggressive and taking action, so “Legendborn” by Tracy Deonn matches perfectly. The protagonist, Bree, is an overachiever (we can literally hear all the Aries who applauded at being overachievers) who gets in over her head but manages to kick ass anyway, saving her friends (and possibly humanity) along the way. She’s a natural leader with protective instincts and a fiery disposition that serves her well.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

If you’re a Taurus, you likely don’t put a lot of stock into your Zodiac, but that doesn’t mean your sensual nature and passion goes unnoticed by the rest of us. Ruled by Venus, the planet of love, you’ll need to pick up a book that expresses that longing in the most powerful of ways, like in “Call Me by Your Name,” by André Aciman. Tauruses consider touch and taste the most important of all the senses, so the ever-patient bull will latch on to the SOMETHING attraction and intimacy that build in this beautiful novel.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Two sides of the same coin, Geminis are hard to pin down. Ruled by Mercury and an open mind, you’re great with communication and writing, like Monique in Taylor Jenkins Reid’s, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” But your inquisitive and fun-loving nature will also have you wanting to expand your horizons and see what else the world has to offer — and Evelyn is just the reclusive Hollywood star to open your mind to new ideas and experiences.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

So you want to show off your tough outer shell without letting people see your emotional core? Ah, typical Cancer. Well lucky for you, you can have that electric love while still maintaining your moody suspicion of said love, like in Sally Rooney’s “Normal People.” Your emotional and imaginative nature will pair well with the give and take between Marianne and Connell — and the challenging but deeply sympathetic disposition of Cancers matches the complex love story.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Bold and beautiful (and prone to the dramatics) Leos aren’t afraid to shy away from the spotlight or speak their minds, and that makes “Felix Ever After” by Kacen Callendar a great pairing. Just like Felix, Leos know who they are — even if sometimes that confidence wavers, and they aren’t afraid to flaunt their artistic talents. Funny, heartwarming, and with added romance (we know you lions are a sucker for a love story!) this YA novel is perfect for this ferocious fire sign.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You can’t get anything past a Virgo (seriously, go ahead and try). So Virgos need a book that will match their analytical nature and their hardworking approach to life, much like Michelle McNamara, author of “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark.” A compelling account of a serial killer that terrorized California, the true crime genre isn’t always for the faint of heart — but a Virgo can definitely handle it.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

If you’re a Libra, you’re probably always trying to find the perfect balance in your life. So what about a suspenseful book that shakes things up, like “Little Secrets” by Jennifer Hillier. As the case for her missing son grows cold, Marin is looking to tip the scales (see what we did there?) in her favor to find him — and unravel a web of secrets and lies in the process. Libras aren’t strangers to seeking justice, so this thriller will fit perfectly in their collection.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

The most passionate of the water signs, you can’t go wrong with having a Scorpio by your side. Like Aries, Scorpios are great leaders, people you can depend on — like Rue in the upcoming YA fantasy “Wings of Ebony” by J. Elle. After having her life turned upside down and discovering her godly ancestry, Rue is faced with the daunting task of saving not only her magical world but her earthly one as well. Full of bravery and determination, she definitely reminds of our Scorpio friends out there.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Like other fire signs, endless curiosity and energy notoriously denotes a Sagitarrius. “The Extraordinaries,” by T.J. Klune perfectly captures that energy and imagination where fan fiction meets real life superheroes. You’re a little extra sweet precious cinnamon roll — with a touch of saucy humor — just like the main character, Nick. And whereas other signs might be more closed off when it comes to expectations, your mind is open (and constantly churning) to a world of endless possibilities.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Rounding out the Zodiac is the Capricorn, the independent and responsible influences some of us could use more of in our lives. Some may say Capricorns are know-it-alls (we didn’t say us!) so a book breaking down the process of learning — and unlearning — is a good fit for them, like “Flowers for Algernon,” by Daniel Keyes. This one is a hard-hitting book about the limits humanity will go to for intelligence. When a breakthrough experiment seems too good to be true, the limits of the human brain are examined at the expense of one man’s life. 

So, did the stars align to find you the perfect new book recommendation? If you want to find your book pairings for your moon and ascending signs — complete your natal chart to add even more compatible books to your TBR!