August is really bringing the heat this summer, astrologically speaking. This month, Venus, the planet that rules love, romance and beauty, will be in retrograde. What does that mean? These areas of our lives will be fired up in all the wrong ways. Pair that with the Sun in Leo — the sign that is all passion and self-expression — and a major focus will be put on wading through deep-rooted issues in our closest relationships, while also nurturing a need to feel heard. With this emotional rollercoaster on the horizon, we'll be sure to sprinkle an extra dose of self-care into our routines. That means picking up books that make us feel good. What should you read? Check out our horoscope for a book match written in the stars.

Aries (March 21 - April 19)

You might be in the mood for a new fling this month, Aries, but thanks to the Venus retrograde, it will likely be your exes who come knocking. Don’t let that stifle your creative juices. Dust off an old project or idea that’s been sitting on the shelf — you’ll be surprised by how quickly it reignites your passion. We recommend checking out The Creative Act: A Way of Being published this year by renowned record producer and co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, Rick Rubin. This book guides readers through the process of becoming an artist, and how creativity can be cultivated by all. 

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

With Venus, Taurus’ ruling planet, in retrograde this month, it might take everything you have not to run for cover (under a plush, comfy blanket, of course). Since your space is your sanctuary, dream up creative ways to beautify your home — think luxe and lush. No plant, throw pillow, or fondue set is too much! Read a book on one of our favorite indulgences, Chocolate Wars: The 150-Year Rivalry Between the World's Greatest Chocolate Makers, that dives into the war history of the globe’s most recognized chocolatiers. If you're more in the mood for fiction, pick up Abbi Waxman’s enormously fun and funny novel, Other People’s Houses, which Popsugar described as “a smart, thoughtful look at marriage and suburbia.”

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

You may have the gift of the gab, Gemini, but this is not the time for word vomit. Communications between your friends and coworkers could get sticky this month, and it is best to think wisely before blurting out all your thoughts, as profound as they might be. Read I'm Glad My Mom Died, a memoir by former Nickelodeon child star Jennette McCurdy, that discusses her fraught relationship with her now-deceased mother, or try Sally Rooney’s debut blockbuster Conversations with Friends, which explores the nuances of friendship, love, and lust that was adapted into a hit mini-series on Hulu. 

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

Summer is the season for happy hours and leaving work early. But for you it should be more about budgeting and saving up. While you may be tempted to live by the philosophy of "easy come, easy go" this month, the Venus retrograde is a warning to put your money away for a rainy day. Make do with what you already have, and find new uses for things that you wouldn't otherwise. Check out The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter. This comedic novel explores 2008’s economic collapse through the story of a financial journalist who recently lost his job and is having trouble making ends meet. Desperate for money, he turns to something much riskier that leads him down a dark path. 

Leo (July 23 - August 22)

With the sun in your sign this month, Leo, it usually means it's your time to shine. But instead of seeking external validation, the retrograde urges you to direct your warmth inwards and to your closest confidants in private. The people who you choose to cast your lion’s love on (including yourself!) will repay you tenfold. We recommend trying The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, a romantic comedy about what happens when two singles go on a fake honeymoon together, or Ann Patchett’s The Dutch House, the novel that's a fairy tale with a dark side, and which NPR described as “a paradise lost tale dusted with a sprinkling of 'Cinderella,' 'The Little Princess' and 'Hansel and Gretel.'”

Virgo (August 23 - September 22)

As hard as it may be for you, you gotta stop beating yourself up, Virgo. This retrograde asks you to shut down that nit-picking voice and handle your soul with kid gloves. Treat yourself to the expensive shoes, the filet mignon, or the hotel night for one. Overindulgence is key this month. Read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, a novel which recounts the many love stories of a fictitious Hollywood star, or Ottessa Moshfegh’s deeply hilarious My Year of Rest and Relaxation, that follows one New York City woman’s attempt to sleep for an entire year. 

Libra (September 23 - October 22)

Keeping the peace comes naturally to you, Libra, even if it means telling a white lie here and there. But burning resentments within your closest crew might bubble up, and the stars are asking you to tell it like it is. Don’t be afraid to speak your truth. Your perspective is an important one. While Emma Cline’s The Guest was one of this season’s hottest reads and dubbed the “Anxious-Girl Book of the Summer” by Time, we also recommend picking up Cline’s 2016 debut The Girls, which follows a 14-year-old girl who falls under the spell of a charismatic musician and is based loosely on the Manson Family murders.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

You know when you have a dream that your significant other cheated on you and you wake up feeling like it was real? Well, that might be the underlying feeling for you all of August, Scorpio. Just remember that the more vulnerable you are with your loved ones about your feelings, the more they will want to open up to you, too. Bottling up your emotions will only lead to more anger. Check out Adam Sternbergh’s thriller The Eden Test. This novel follows a couple whose marriage is on the brink of collapse when they decide to sign-up for a mysterious retreat to liven up the relationship. Instead, they end up testing the limits of how far their love can reach. 

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

Learning and expansion are the focus for you this August, Sagittarius. And while you typically revel in this space, the Venus retrograde might spawn a major shift in your way of thinking. A spiritual awakening or revelation about your purpose in the world could trigger more than a few growing pains. But this transformation will help you shed the old and keep you moving forward. Read The Idiot by Elif Batuman, a coming of age novel about a young woman studying at Harvard that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, or pick up One Plus One from New York Times-bestselling author Jojo Moyes that follows a struggling mother who falls for a pompous tech millionaire. 

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

This Venus retrograde asks you to re-evaluate what’s serving you in your most intimate relationships, Capricorn. It’s time for you to shed what’s no longer working and say goodbye to the people or patterns that you’ve outgrown. Let the light of Leo season remind you that even at your darkest times, your strength will persevere. We recommend Elena Ferrante’s second novel, The Days of Abandonment, about a woman spiraling after her husband of 15 years leaves her. Or check out Kristin Hannah's page-turning story of survival, The Great Alone, about a family that attempts to live off the grid in Alaska. 

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

It’s time to take a fine-toothed comb to your romantic relationships, Aquarius. In fact, this retrograde will be unearthing all those uncomfortable feelings that have always bothered you in past partnerships. You’re being asked to examine what made you flee from those feelings in the first place, and how to face them head on. Check out Assembly by Natasha Brown that critics called “a modern Mrs. Dalloway.” The story follows a Black British woman's experience attending an opulent garden party at her boyfriend’s family’s estate. The reader is privy to her most intimate questions: is her career worth it? Or is it time to burn it all down and take control of her story?

Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

You’re not exactly fond of planners Pisces, but this month it might be a good idea to invest in one (or three). The Venus retrograde throws a wrench in your habits and daily routines, which means you’ll be running from appointment to appointment. Make it easier on yourself by mapping it all out, and don’t forget to carve out time for what grounds you. Pick up the best-selling dystopian debut by Jessamine Chan that boasts a long list of endorsements, School for Good Mothers, about a woman sent to a rehab facility for not being the perfect mom. We also recommend Tia Williams' modern love story about two writers who can't seem to call it quits: Seven Days in June.