Aquarius, you’re a true individual. A self-proclaimed outcast, symbolised by the water bearer, you’re not one to be locked down easily. No, you’re a free spirit, forever striving for independence, no matter the cost. Despite your watery connotations, you’re actually an air sign, so you’re less driven by emotion and more focused on freedom, knowledge and innovation, so stories that challenge the norm are perfect for you. And then there’s your sense of humour – just the right amount of absurd that just begs for a surreal, unconventional novel.
Speaking of books (because reccs are what you’re here for, you direct thing), read on for a list of reads tailored to your energy: from wild, visceral novels with the kinetic pulse of New York’s bustling streets to powerful tales of finding resilience in the face of adversity, plus absurdist stories of, well, pet penguins. There’s something here to match every one of your moods...
Palestinian writer Yasmin Zaher announced herself as a bold new literary voice in 2024 with her debut novel The Coin, which blends absurd humour with an equally assured tone, and perfectly suits the Aquarian taste for the strange and subversive. If you liked My Year Of Rest And Relaxation, you’ll love The Coin. Set in a particularly grimy New York, you can almost taste the fumes seeping from the pages, as the novel follows an unnamed Palestinian narrator whose psychological unravelling runs parallel to a surreal scheme she’s caught up in selling elite Birkin bags. It’s a fearless satire and an Aquarius will relish its peculiarity, deadpan observations and compelling characters.
This stunning debut novel by Irish author Roisín O’Donnell began its life as a short story on the theme of independence – an origin that feels fitting for the free-spirited, self-directed Aquarius. We first meet Ciara on a wind-whipped Irish beach, attempting to calm both her two young girls and her churlish husband Ryan’s volatile moods. It soon becomes clear that their marriage is abusive and Ciara has tried to leave him before, only to be pulled back. As the novel gains pace, she gathers the courage to try again. Nesting is a moving exploration of severing the ties of abuse, striving for independence and the resilience of women pushed to make a near-impossible choice for themselves and their children. It’s sure to appeal to Aquarius’ humanitarian streak and belief in liberation.
One of formidable Ukrainian talent Andrey Kurkov’s most beloved novels, Death And The Penguin is a darkly comic, surreal book that feels like it was made for the unconventional Aquarius. In post-Soviet Kyiv, Viktor is a struggling writer who has settled for writing obituaries in the local paper, only to discover that these notices form a hit list for a secret organisation. Oh, and then there’s Viktor’s ‘pet’, Misha, a real and profoundly depressed penguin from a local zoo. Written in a satirical and existential Kafka-esque style, Kurkov’s novel is both surreal and humane – sure to leave an Aquarius amused and unsettled: your favourite state.
Newly out in paperback in the UK, Disappoint Me will do anything but. After an inebriated injury forces Max into uneasy reflection on less-than-supportive exes, gender dysphoria and life as a Trans woman, she decides to take a leap. Enter Vincent: charming, attentive, and – finally! – a man who wants to love Max despite their circumstances, which include finance-bro colleagues and conservative Chinese parents. But how accepting is he, really? This read is ideal for the independent, self-proclaimed outcast that is so often you, dear Aquarius. You won’t be able to help but be drawn to the millennial angst and intellectual humour, as well as Dinan’s astute observations on race, Trans lives and falling for someone who may not be right for you.
Catapulted into even wider recognition by last year’s film adaptation, Die, My Love is a wild, feral scream of a book that subverts all your traditional expectations – a contrarian Aquarius’ dream. Written in relentless, streaming prose, the story follows a woman who is unravelling under the pressures of being a wife and mother – roles the novel holds up only to savagely tear apart. In this novel, the domestic is rejected in favour of desire, rage and feminine complexity. It’s perfect for the Aquarius who rejects convention and is often wilfully provocative and outspoken. A perfect pairing, if you will.
