Read Like a Rat! Or a Tiger, or a Rabbit, or . . .

A book recommendation for each sign in the Chinese zodiac

A few weeks ago, we had a blog post with book recommendations based on your astrological signs. Now, as we approach Chinese New Year on February 10, we're making recommendations for each of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac, an integral part of Chinese culture for more than 2,000 years.

Chinese astrology is very different from the Western zodiac, as well as being more complex and nuanced. One of the most straightforward differences between the two is that your Chinese zodiac sign is determined by the year of your birth, rather than the month.

As legend has it, the order of these signs was determined by a race held by the Jade Emperor, with the Rat being the winner. Here are our book recommendations for each sign in order of their progression.

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

Smart, charming, and inventive, the rat won the emperor's race by hitching a ride on the back of the Ox and jumping off in time to dash across the finish line first. This also demonstrates the Rat's ruthlessly competitive nature. Rats are most compatible with Ox, Dragon, and Monkey.

Our pick for you: Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu—Willis Wu may only be a bit player, but he has big dreams. After stumbling into the spotlight, Willis finds himself launched into a wider world than he's ever known.

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. Snakes, Rats, and Roosters are considered good matches for an Ox.

Our pick for you: To Live by Yu Hua—From toiling as a farmer to serving in the war, Fugui faces a string of hardships. A model of gritty authenticity, he is left with an actual ox as the companion of his final years.

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. Tigers have a definite romantic side and are most compatible with Horses and Dogs.

Our pick for you: The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo—Ambitious dance-hall girl Ji Lin is finally getting an adventure. Eleven-year-old houseboy Ren is also on a mission, racing to fulfill his former master's dying wish. Their paths cross in this dazzling propulsive novel.

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

Rabbits present as the epitome of 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. Rabbits make good matches with Goats and Pigs.

Our pick for you: The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang—Violinist Anna Sun has achieved unexpected career success with a viral YouTube video, but privately, she's feeling burned out and betrayed. Pushed to her breaking point, she decides it's time to let loose.

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. A Dragon pairs best with Rats and Monkeys.

Our pick for you: She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan—In a famine-stricken village, two children are given two fates. A boy, greatness. A girl, nothingness. But when fortune takes a turn and her brother dies, Zhu claims his greatness. 

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

Snakes are wise beyond their years and aware of 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. Ox and Rooster make the best matches for a Snake.

Our pick for you: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner—Already a scintillating indie-rock sensation, Zauner applied her dazzling lyricism to this exquisite memoir about family, food, grief, love and growing up Korean American.

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

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. Horses match well with fellow idealists, Tigers and Dogs.

Our pick for you: Delayed Rays of a Star by Amanda Lee Koe—This bold debut novel follows the lives of three groundbreaking women—Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong, and Leni Riefenstahl—cinema legends who lit up the twentieth century.

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. A wise match for the sensitive Goat is a Horse, Rabbit, or Pig.

Our pick for you: The Wedding Ringer by Kerry Rea—Willa was a successful influencer until she found her fiancé in bed with her best friend. Since then, her life has fallen apart. Can a gig as a bridesmaid to the high-energy Maisie pull Willa out of her funk?

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

Charismatic, confident, and inventive, the Monkey is a fast learner and a problem solver. Monkeys are charming and popular, but they also tend to be arrogant and, at times, deceptive. Never doubt a Monkey's confidence! Fellow doers, Rats and Dragons complement Monkeys the best.

Our pick for you: Trust Exercise by Susan Choi—In an American suburb in the early 1980s, students at a highly competitive performing arts high school exist in a rarefied bubble, ambitiously pursuing their dreams. In this twisty novel, perception is everything.

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. The Ox and Snake are good matches for a Rooster.

Our pick for you: Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay—In this powerful coming-of-age story, a Filipino-American teen travels to the Philippines to try and uncover the story behind his cousin's murder.

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 quick to anger, but it doesn't last long. A Dog's best relationships will be with Rabbits or Tigers.

Our pick for you: On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong—Written as a letter from a son to his mother, who cannot read, this lyrical novel is, at once, about the importance of telling one's own story and the obliterating silence of not being heard.

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

Pigs symbolize honesty and simplicity. They are loving, gallant, and curious and they are equally known for their pursuit of pleasure. Although they can be hot-tempered, they don't generally hold grudges. Emotionally and artistically guided Rabbits and Goats are good matches for Pigs.

Our pick for you: Exhalation by Ted Chiang—Tackling some of humanity's oldest questions along with interesting new quandaries, this collection of revelatory speculative fiction will change the way you think, feel, and see the world.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon