November Literary Horoscopes

Aries

The Ram / Courageous, Adventurous, Independent / Domineering, Selfish, Arrogant

Now that it’s pumpkin spice season, you might want to cool it with the nightly shenanigans (unless you remember to bring a coat). In November, you’ll have an opportunity to see things for what they are—try not to bury your head in the sand afterward.

Or, you know, find a shovel. But read this story pick first.

• When You Sang Back to Us,
  by Chloie Piveral

• Teaser: “The sound
  reverberated so deeply I felt it in my chest; diffuse and reflective. Above it,
  notes broke like raindrops on the sea.”

Taurus

The Bull / Loyal, Friendly, Resourceful / Self-Indulgent, Possessive, Greedy

No spoilers or anything, but you’re headed for shaky ground in the friend department. Try to stabilize one of your relationships by examining the foundation. In the end, maybe you’ll need to rip out the floorboards and start fresh.

When you need a break, I have the perfect treat for you.

• Under Their Wings,
  These Starving Ghosts,
  by Grace Yang

• Teaser: “The
  third time the boy is resurrected, his feet are nearly burned to blisters. He
  had not seen the careful mound of salt the owners here had lined around their
  house.”

Gemini

The Twins / Intelligent, Adaptable, Creative / Moody, Opportunistic, Inconsistent

November is shaping up to be a great time for you! Continue the trend and treat yourself to something sweet, shiny, or stylish. As if that isn’t enough, a potential fling might walk into your life around the 18th.

Consider this charming story pick an added bonus.

• Scheveningen Beach, by Maureen
  Buchanan Jones

• Teaser: “She always thought of brown sugar when her
  feet sank just an inch or so into warm, slightly damp sand. This sand, this
  beach was no different.”

Cancer

The Crab / Honest, Generous, Faithful / Insecure, Needy, Crabby

It’s time to work it, Cancer! If there’s something extra you’ve wanted to take on, this is the time to take the metaphorical plunge. You’ll be smacked by a confidence boost early in the month, which will hopefully inspire you to dropkick any pesky doubts.

Let’s cap off this fist-pumping month with some exceptional reading.

• Place, by Jayne Martin

• Teaser: “Your face is the
  first to fade from memory; still your voice, a bow caressing the strings of a
  cello, holds me close. Your scent, evergreens dipping to the sea shore, calms
  me on days when I cannot locate your name.”

Leo

The Lion / Cheery, Noble, Imaginative / Demanding, Boastful, Melodramatic

You might be cast in the role of peacekeeper for this year’s production of “Awkward Family Holiday Functions at So and So’s House in the Armpit of Town.” Try not to let any negativity get to you, and enjoy spending time with the good eggs in your family.

Before you settle in, though, crack open this truly stunning read.

• Girls in the Woods, by Madeline
  Anthes

• Teaser: “Years later, children will tell your story
  around campfires. They’ll sit shoulder-to-shoulder, clutching their elbows,
  whispering about you. Of course, you can’t know that now. You just know he’s
  late.”

Virgo

The Maiden / Practical, Diligent, Kind / Obsessive, Self-Righteous, Compulsive

Last month was a topsy-turvy ride, and I wish I could tell you November will be different (I’m winking, if you can’t tell). On the plus side, you’ll get the chance to solve a crisis at work, which will knock the socks off your boss. On the not-so-fun side, a relationship in your life might lose some ground.

Keep doing you with this captivating 100-word piece.

• Because Some
  Doors Never Open, by Tommy Dean

• Teaser: “The rest of the house is locked up tight, suffocatingly cold, because
  the psychic said that ghosts only return to the drafts of their deaths.”

Libra

The Scales / Compassionate, Trustworthy, Peacemaker / Disorganized, Materialistic, Indecisive

Your compassionate, trustworthy nature will be put to the test over the holidays. Honestly, that might say a lot more about the people around you. Remember to set aside time for yourself—maybe take a mental health day, or plan a sun-drenched/margarita-filled vacation. You’ve earned it, kiddo.

Save this gorgeous story pick for your plane ride.

• Painted
  Lady, by Margaret McGoverne

• Teaser: “Her name was Dana, sometimes; her taxonomy morphed to match her mood.
  She married young, white lace arms clutching the man every girl wanted to net.
  She was his queen, he, her monarch, at least for a summer.”

Scorpio

The Scorpion / Purposeful, Charismatic, Cunning / Aggressive, Manipulative, Possessive

In November, the torch will pass to you. You know what I say? Go crazy with it! Kick back and enjoy your month. For the foreseeable future, the stars are gloriously aligned in your favor. Full speed ahead, you charmer.

And don’t forget your story pick(s).

• Five Micros, by Rainie Oet

• Teaser: “As Simon talks, years pass, marked by the back and forth passing of geese shadows in a V formation. The flock gets sparser with each pass.”

Sagittarius

The Archer / Straightforward, Optimistic, Adventurous / Careless, Impatient, Hotheaded

Winter is right around the corner, which means you might be feeling antsy (just a smidge). I know you’re dreaming of snow, hot cocoa, and bonfires, but you’ll have to rein yourself in for a little longer. Distract yourself with some spandex-gym-time or an old-fashioned friend date.

Of course, this monthly read might be the best distraction of all.

• There Was Always Beth, by Emily James

• Teaser: “And Beth always drove. Champagne-colored Saturn, we called it the Bullet, but it looked like ET with those pop-up headlights. She’d pull up the driveway and do a quick high-pitched honk, the Alien Cry.”

Capricorn

The Mountain Sea-Goat / Traditional, Responsible, Ambitious / Unforgiving, Blunt, Pessimistic

October might have been about feeding your gremlins, but November is the time to buckle down and dive into work. I know you hate networking, but an opportunity will drop into your lap at the height of the month. Schmooze with the best of them, my friend.

Don’t forget your story pick for all those bathroom escapes—er, I mean breaks.

• Breaking and Entering, by Andrea Anderson

• Teaser: “It’s Sunday afternoon and the big pot of marinara simmering on the
  stove looks like blood. ‘Nana,’ you call out, unwinding your scarf from your
  neck and dropping your keys into the cut-crystal bowl by the sink.”

Aquarius

The Water-Bearer / Intellectual, Open-Minded, Outgoing / Unpredictable, Self-Conscious, Chaotic

Try not to rely on others too much this season. You got to revisit old relationships last month—kudos on being the winner, ahem, I mean bigger person—but now is the time to look inward. Give your future some serious thought, and think about where you see yourself in five years. The answer can’t be a shack in the woods. Mostly because I already took it (sorry not sorry).

When you’re done meditating, I have a gorgeously penned story for you.

• The Girl Next Door, by Kelsey Ipsen

• Teaser: “Under Caitlyn’s belly grew
  a part neighbour boy, part hurricane. She told us it would be a girl, bigger
  than all of us because it came from us. We bent our heads forward to hear it
  gathering strength.”

Pisces

The Fish / Charitable, Intuitive, Artistic / Timid, Impractical, Indolent

Good news, Pisces! You should be a magnet for monetary goodness this month. Toward the end of November, you’ll also find two cuties in your orbit. Enjoy some good old-fashioned wooing and paint the town red. Oh, you don’t know what that means? I don’t feel old at all.

Anyway! Save this flash fiction piece for a morning treat.

• Hippodrome, by A V Arsic

• Teaser: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Mallory veered off the path without a pad or pencil, yet she took notes.”