firewhiskeyreader

Happy Capricorn season, everyone! It is finally time to talk with y’all about recommendations based on Capricorn traits. Capricorns are persistent and always willing to work hard to achieve their goals, so they’re definitely the kinds of people we want to read books about. They are usually realistic, sensitive, practical, and disciplined, all of which are traits that serve them well in the pursuit of their goals. So let’s talk about some books that might appeal to Capricorns!

Trait: Hard-working and Persistent

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I think the idea of relentlessly pursuing ones goals applies perfectly to Gifty, a neuroscience candidate at Stanford trying to figure out how to cure addiction through science, from Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi. She’s also grappling with religion and science in a way that’s really beautifully told, but also is kind of heartbreaking. Gifty’s mom has depression, her brother died due to his addiction to pain medication, and Gifty just wants science to explain how this has happened. I think her passion for her project and a near desperation to achieve success in this matter will be very relatable for any Capricorn! Another book I thought of when thinking about someone persistent and hard-working is Evelyn Hugo from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Evelyn is definitely relentless in the pursuit of her goals. She’s wildly imperfect and such a great character to read about. I think this book is really brilliant. Speaking of being relentless in pursuit of one’s dreams, Kallia is absolutely relentless in Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles. She’s such a great YA fantasy lead because she just goes so hard toward achieving her goals and it’s a delight to watch.

Trait: Sensitive

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I think there are many different ways in which characters can be sensitive and in which one can interpret this trait. My first choice is actually Sydney Green from When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole because Sydney knows something isn’t right. She can’t necessarily articulate it all the time, but something is up and she’s reluctantly going to figure out what is going on. Then, there’s the ability to really understand other people, to be sensitive to their moods, needs, etc. The character I thought of when I looked at the trait that way was Magalie from The Chocolate Kiss by Laura Florand. Magalie makes hot chocolate and puts wishes into them for the various “princesses” who come into the shop based on what she thinks they need. I would very much appreciate Magalie making me hot chocolate, tbh. I wonder what she would decide I need? And then there is the more negative interpretation of being easily hurt by things people say. But instead of interpreting it exactly like that, I thought about Bethany in Tools of Engagement and how she imagines all of these negative things that people would think about her if she was something less than perfect. I think Tessa Bailey did a good job showcasing Bethany’s anxiety, but I do wish she had sent Bethany to therapy. Negative self-talk, especially at the level Bethany engages in, can be really damaging. Be kind and compassionate to yourselves!

Trait: Practical

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For some reason, the first book I thought of when I thought practical is Whiteout by Adriana Anders, a romantic suspense book set in Antarctica. Since Angel and Cooper have to trek many, many miles in the very dangerous terrain of Antarctica, there’s no real choice but to lean into the practical side of things. But if we’re being honest, Cooper just is a practical person regardless of the circumstances. The next person I thought of was Rogan from the Hidden Legacy series. Honestly, he and Nevada are both fairly practical people, but Rogan has this tendency to cut straight to the chase and whatever it is that’s going to make achieving his goals easiest. Even if that thing maybe crosses some moral boundaries. Finally, I think Jane from The Wife Upstairs is very practical. She has a line in the book chastising herself for acting like a heroine in a Gothic novel when she hears weird noises inside the house. She’s very calculated in a lot of ways too, which is maybe a step past practical, but I think works for this.

And there are some recommendations! What do you think? What would you add? Let me know!

xx