May 2021 Horoscopes and Book Recommendations

Think before you leap, Leo. A positive attitude plus a slew of new opportunities could lead you to some impulsive decisions in May. Sure, plenty of good things may come from quick moves. But some may also lead to regrets later this year. Ask trusted advisors if you’re on the fence. Distractions hamper your love life, but things will turn around after the lunar eclipse on the 26th. Check out Playing the Palace by Paul Rudnick. When event planner Carter meets openly gay Prince of Wales Edgar while running a United Nations event, it’s the perfect fairytale love story. But once the media finds out and Carter is faced with the realities of dating the future king, he realizes their fairytale love may be more complicated than he thought.

Be kind to yourself in May, Virgo. Family stress and disappointments at work may take a toll on your mood. Even your best laid plans are foiled by things outside of your control. But all is not lost; it’s a great month for personal growth and learning something new. Reflective alone time will be especially restorative. And your love life will be blissful, as long as you can leave work stress at the door. Read The Renunciations by Donika Kelly. This poetry collection is a powerful ode to resilience and drawing boundaries of the self while recovering from trauma. It’s heartbreaking, but also brings hope in the form of healing remembrance.

You can’t have it all this month, Libra. As much as you love balance, some months force your focus to one area of your life. In May, work is stagnant no matter how hard you push toward your goals. Focus instead on enjoying time with loved ones and on spoiling your love interest. Artistic expression will be a balm for your soul in May, so make time for creative projects. You should read The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel. In this graphic memoir, Bechdel recounts her life through six decades of fitness fads. It’s a fun and engaging way to approach her life story, but even more, Bechdel explores how various exercise methods served as a way for her to explore her mind-body connection and her place in the universe.

Scorpios are full of surprises in May. Changes abound in your life, and instead of fighting them, you’re using them to your advantage. At work, your ability to think on your feet will impress your colleagues. Spontaneity with loved ones will make for memorable adventures. And trying something new in your love life may be revolutionary. Money is tight, so get creative with what you’ve got. I recommend The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak, a debut poetry collection by Grace Lau. Lau’s poems explore the many identities a body can contain, while also wrestling with topics like capitalism, immigration, religion, and queerness. It’s a fresh and exciting collection that will take you on an emotional journey.

I’ll be honest: You’re going to start some shit this month, Sagittarius. Perhaps you’ve been accused of rubbing people the wrong way before. You chalk it up to always being true to yourself. In May, that may get you into some fights with family, friends, and colleagues. Despite tensions, you know what’s right for you. And it’s not like you’re going to change because I warned you, so…Good luck! Read While Justice Sleeps, a political thriller by Stacey Abrams. When Supreme Court Justice Howard Wynn slips into a coma, his brilliant law clerk Avery learns he left instructions for her to be his legal guardian and power of attorney. She’s thrown into the chaos of trying to keep the judge alive, political attempts to replace him, and a controversial court case with links to a dangerous conspiracy.

Capricorns have childlike joy in May. Your curiosity and enthusiasm have you ready for a big adventure, preferably with a romantic interest. In fact, you can’t stop thinking about love, so much so that it may lead to distractions at work and with family. Enjoy the romance while you can, as the lunar eclipse on the 26th while reprioritize things and put your feet back on the ground. You should read Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee. In an effort to bring joy to trans teens like himself, Noah Ramirez started a blog where he shares imagined trans love stories. But when a troll leaks the fact that Noah’s stories are fake, the only way to win back his readers is by showing them a real partner. That’s where Drew comes in, who agrees to fake date Noah to save the blog. But as Noah falls increasingly harder for Drew, he learns that real relationships don’t look much like the ones he fabricated.

May is full of mischief for Aquarius. You’ve got a bit of a practical joker inside you, and it’s itching to come out this month. Your playful attitude can mean lots of fun for you, but it may irritate some of your loved ones. No one can stay mad at you for long, especially if you use your charm to smooth things over. Avoid risky investments this month, as karma may pay you back for all your pranks. Read The Guncle by Steven Rowley. A former gay sitcom star loves his role as Gay Uncle Patrick to his niece and nephew. But when a tragedy makes Patrick the temporary guardian of the six and nine year olds, he realizes that being the fun uncle is quite different from being a full-time caregiver. This hilarious and heartfelt story will make you laugh, cry, and want to be a better person.

You’ve got an action-packed month ahead, Pisces. Your work and volunteer positions will keep you on the move, and celebrations with family fill your downtime. You may face a test in May that requires extra focus. Between all of this, you’ll hardly have a minute to yourself. Without proper rest, you may be in for some health troubles, so be protective of your time for self-care. Check out The Secret History of Home Economics by Danielle Dreilinger. This feminist and fascinating exploration of the home economics movements shows how scientific improvements at home created a boom in new opportunities for women’s careers.