August 2021 Horoscopes and Book Recommendations

Open your mind to new perspectives, Leo. Your intuition and tendencies won’t be enough to get you through August. Family troubles and money woes will cause major roadblocks for you. Turn to trusted loved ones for advice, and actually listen when they give it to you. In love, compromise is key. You can’t have everything you want this month, but with a little humility, you can still do great things. You should read The Last Nomad by Shugri Said Salh. After generations of nomadic goat herding, Shugri was the last in her family to journey into the East African desert. In this memoir, she recounts her time learning the nomadic ways from her grandmother, as well as her family’s immigration to the U.S. to escape civil war. It’s an intense, compassionate, and moving story of tradition and resilience.

August will bring a break in Virgo’s routine. As a creature of habit, too many surprises can really throw you. A sour mood will only make uncertainty worse at home and at work. Luckily, you’ll find yourself more amenable to the unexpected in romantic relationships. Your love life will keep you on your toes in August and give you much needed energy to cope with frustrations in other aspects of your life. Check out The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang. After going viral on YouTube, violinist Anna Sun finds herself stuck trying to recreate her success. Things get even worse when her longtime boyfriend insists on opening up their relationship before making a commitment. Anna decides to set off on a series of one-night stands herself. That is, until she finds she can’t walk away from the magic of her first one-night stand with Quan Diep.

Ready to think big, Libra? You’ve got a fresh outlook in August, making it the perfect time to plan for the future. Your natural charm will bring all the right people into your circle to help you achieve your goals. If you’ve been thinking about making a change in your life, now is the time to jump. Although you desire new experiences, don’t look for them abroad, as your travel plans may be foiled. I recommend The Husbands by Chandler Baker. Nora Spangler is a powerful attorney, but her husband’s refusal to contribute to parenting and chores is holding her back. When they consider buying a house in an exclusive suburb, Nora notices that all the husbands in the neighborhood are happy to take on domestic tasks to support their career-driven wives. This gender-swapped Stepford Wives retelling is a dark and hilarious tale you don’t want to miss.

Want to make your enemies jealous, Scorpio? There’s something magical about you in August. You can achieve your goals and make it look easy along the way. The full support of family and friends will give you a boost. Success at work may lead to extra income. Consider spending it celebrating a special occasion with loved ones. Beware of jealousy in your love life, particularly early in the month. Read Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. In 1970s Mexico City, a beautiful art student goes missing. Her next door neighbor, a quiet secretary obsessed with mystery romance novels, decides to look into her disappearance. At the same time, an eccentric criminal named Elvis searches for the missing woman, but for darker reasons: to make sure the secrets she knows stay hidden.

Sagittarius must have some patience in August. You’re known for having a short fuse, but that can only lead to drama in the coming weeks. If you can’t play nicely with others, you’ll face trouble with family, money, and your career. The good news? You stand to learn a lot from your experiences this month, especially while traveling. And giving your romantic partner the reins may bring pleasant surprises. Check out Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain. After her best friend goes missing, Grey returns to her tiny, coastal hometown of La Cachette, Louisiana, where everyone has some kind of psychic power. With so many seers, someone must be able to help Grey find her friend. But as she asks around and begins to uncover her own abilities, it quickly becomes clear that Grey isn’t safe in La Cachette either.

No problem is insurmountable for Capricorn in August. Trouble lies ahead in your work, finances, travel, and more. But you’ve got the drive and social support to meet every challenge. Fight for what you want, even if the odds are stacked against you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially from family members. In love, disagreements are smaller than they appear. When in doubt, talk it out. Read All Are Welcome by Liz Parker. Caroline wants a laidback wedding, and her fiancé Tiny isn’t really sure what kind of wedding she wants. But their parents have big plans for the destination wedding in Bermuda. As guests arrive with their own drama in tow, the wedding event spirals out of Tiny and Caroline’s control.

You’re not an island, Aquarius. When the going gets tough, you tend to put up walls. But when things go wrong in August, your loved ones are your lifeline. Difficulties in love may upend your life, and money woes add to your stress. Family and friends can make all the difference in turning things around. Travel can help you find the fresh air you need to clear your head, and may even open a surprising door. I recommend Chasing Me to My Grave by Winfred Rembert, as told to Erin I. Kelly. Rembert is most known for his stunning art, scenes from his past imprinted and dyed on leather. But he was also a cotton picker in rural Georgia, a civil rights activist, a member of a prison chain gang for seven years, a survivor of an attempted lynching, and a loving husband and father of eight. This memoir tells his incredible life story, alongside images of his incredible artwork.

Listen closely, Pisces. August has much to teach you, as long as you’re ready to take it in. Conflicts at work may cause stress, but they can also give you valuable information to move forward. Elders in your family also have wisdom to impart this month. In love, tying up loose ends can lead to great happiness. Be wary in big financial interactions, as they may not be what they seem. You should read All’s Well by Mona Awad. Miranda’s acting career was ruined by an accident that left her with chronic pain and a dependence on opioids. Now, she’s struggling to keep her job as a college theatre director. When a mutinous student cast threatens to upend her production of All’s Well That Ends Well in favor of staging Macbeth, she meets three strangers who make a mysterious offer to make all of her problems go away.