Your Lucky Book in the Year of the Fire Horse

A book recommendation for each sign in the Chinese zodiac

Last month, we offered personal reading recommendations for 2026 based on Western astrology. Now, as we approach the Lunar New Year on February 17, we are considering a similar question for the upcoming Year of the Fire Horse. The Fire Horse is a powerful sign, blazing into the zodiac only once every 60 years. This sign portends a time of momentum and rapid change.

Chinese astrology has been an integral part of Chinese culture for more than 2,000 years. Like the Western zodiac, there are twelve different signs, but the Chinese zodiac sign is determined by the year you were born, rather than the time of year. As legend has it, the order of these signs was determined by a race held by the Jade Emperor, with the Rat coming in first. If you're interested in learning more about Chinese astrology, check out The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes by Theodora Lau.

In the meantime, here are our personal recommendations for reads that will bring you good fortune in the upcoming year of the Fire Horse.

Rat

(Birth years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)

Rats are cheerful, sociable, and tenacious. They are at their best when they can work as part of a group, seizing upon opportunities presented by those around them. They place tremendous value on security, which affects their choices, both romantically and professionally. Doors will open more easily in the year ahead for Rats, but moving too aggressively may stir up resistance, so proceed with caution. 

Our pick for you:

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro—In an alternate post-Arthurian Britain, a strange mist has caused mass amnesia throughout the land. Axl and Beatrice, an elderly couple, set out to visit their son. They are joined on their journey by a Saxon warrior, his orphan charge, and an illustrious knight.

Ox

(Birth years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)

Dependable, calm, and methodical, the hardworking Ox will always stay true to their convictions—perhaps stubbornly so. They are charitable by nature and are generally thought of as the backbone of society. For Oxes, the year of the Fire Horse will offer opportunities for growth, especially if you keep an open heart. But take care not to spread yourself too thin.

Our pick for you:

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich—This Pulitzer Prize-winner draws from the extraordinary life of the celebrated author's grandfather, a thoughtful, dedicated figure who will feel like kin to principled Ox readers. It's a majestic historical novel exploring the best and worst of humanity.   

Tiger

(Birth years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)

Tigers blaze new trails. They are adventurous, unconventional, and enthusiastic, but on the flip side, they can also be aggressive and combative. They are impulsive, vivacious, and restless. The energetic year ahead will shine a light on a Tiger's best qualities and usher in opportunities for leadership, self-expression, and romance. You just need to keep your energies focused.

Our pick for you:

Matrix by Lauren Groff—Cast out of the royal court by Eleanor of Aquitaine, seventeen-year-old Marie de France finds purpose—and power—as the prioress of an impoverished medieval abbey. It is a defiant and timely portrait of feminine power and leadership.

Rabbit

(Birth years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023)

Rabbits embody harmony and inner peace. They are gracious, even-tempered, careful, and compassionate. But this graceful mantle of elegance and poise can sometimes cloak a cunning ruthlessness. For Rabbits, the year of the Fire Horse will foster abundance in the form of financial growth and material accumulation, but discipline will be necessary to achieve these outcomes.

Our pick for you:

Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín—This is the story of Eilis, a self-possessed young Irish woman who immigrates to Brooklyn in the early 1950s. In her new American life, she finds employment and, when she least expects it, love. The novel was made into an acclaimed 2015 film starring Saoirse Ronan.

Dragon

(Birth years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)

Courageous, direct, and charismatic, Dragons are power centers. Expected to be leaders, Dragon children are coveted and birth rates have been known to rise during Dragon years. They are popular and successful, but may also be inflexible and brash. For Dragons, the year ahead will present new opportunities for long-term success. They've just got to keep a cool head to avoid burnout.

Our pick for you:

Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane—Summer of 1974: Boston explodes into violence over the desegregation of its public schools. Against this tense backdrop, Mary Pat is a fierce single mother in South Boston, determined to find her missing teenage daughter.

Snake

(Birth years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025)

Snakes are old souls, keenly attuned to the world around them. Deep thinkers who gravitate naturally toward the finer things in life, they are enigmatic, sympathetic, and mesmerizing, but they can also be possessive and demanding. For Snakes, the year of the Fire Horse is a good time to act on ideas or goals that have been percolating just below the surface. 

Our pick for you:

Bangkok Wakes to Rain by Pitchaya Sudbanthad—In this immersive sweeping epic, the lives of a diverse cast of characters collide and converge across time in the ever-morphing titular city. It's an elegy for what time erases and a love song to all that persists into the unknowable future.

Horse

(Birth years: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026)

Cheerful, popular, and quick-witted, Horses are natural Leaders. They are generally talented and energetic. On the flip side, they may also be hot-tempered, impulsive, and headstrong. They love sports, outdoor activities, and animals. Given that this is their year, there are tremendous opportunities for Horses to benefit in all aspects of their lives, but it's important to stay grounded.

Our pick for you:

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy—Biologist Inti Flynn arrives in Scotland with her troubled twin sister to lead a team tasked with reintroducing gray wolves into the Highlands. It's the propulsive and spellbinding story of a woman desperate to save the creatures she loves.

Goat

(Birth years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015)

Goats are known for being sincere and compassionate. They can be generous to a fault, easily taken in by sob stories. Often, they are creative and fashionable, but they have a tendency to worry and become pessimistic. The year ahead may feel more fast-paced than the Goat would ideally like, but it will bring them opportunities to showcase their innate creativity.

Our pick for you:

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe—A hilarious, heartwarming story about a young woman navigating adulthood and new motherhood in our increasingly online world. Soon to be an Apple TV+ series starring Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Pfeiffer, & Nick Offerman.

Monkey

(Birth years: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)

Charismatic, confident, and inventive, the Monkey is a fast learner and an expert problem solver. Monkeys are charming and popular, but they may also be arrogant and, at times, deceptive. Never doubt a Monkey's confidence! But in the year ahead Monkeys will need to exercise restraint and discretion to avoid losses, both financial and emotional.

Our pick for you:

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins—A missing God. A library with the secrets to the universe. Carolyn and her adopted siblings have been raised according to Father's ancient customs. Now, Father is missing, perhaps even dead, and the Library that holds his secrets stands unguarded.

Rooster

(Birth years: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017)

Roosters thrive on clockwork and precision. They are capable and disciplined, the very symbol of reliability.  They may come off as self-assured and perhaps even reckless, but at heart, they are often traditional and old-fashioned. In the year ahead, Roosters may be especially prone to conflict and misunderstandings. It will be important for Roosters to keep a cool head and take space when needed.

Our pick for you:

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley—This Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller offers a powerful reimagining of Shakespeare's King Lear. A wealthy Iowa farmer decides to divide his farm between his three daughters. When the youngest objects, he cuts her out of his will, setting off a volatile chain of events.

Dog

(Birth years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)

Likable, sincere, protective, and helpful, Dogs have a deep sense of loyalty and a passion for justice. They are amiable and unpretentious and generally play well with others. They may be volatile, which can lead to setbacks. The year of the Fire Horse will bring many opportunities for Dogs to improve connections. Steady routines will help prevent difficulties with health and energy.

Our pick for you:

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson—Former boarding school roommates and best friends, Lillian and Madison have a fraught history. Over a decade after Lillian took the fall for Madison's wrongdoing, Madison asks for Lillian's help to care for her twin step kids who have a remarkable ability.

Pig

(Birth years: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019)

Pigs symbolize honesty and simplicity. They are loving, gallant, and curious. Although they can be hot-tempered, they don't generally hold grudges. For Pigs, the year ahead is a good time to lean into your tendency to observe good self-care. (This includes reading!) Slow down and focus on your health. Prioritizing well-being is your key to stability and success this year. 

Our pick for you:

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver—Born to a teen mom in Appalachia amidst the opioid crisis, Demon has nothing to his name beyond his razor-sharp wit and a fierce talent for survival. This brilliant retelling of David Copperfield speaks for a new generation of lost boys.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon