Lit Vibes Only

Ep. 34: Lit Chats: Zodiac Book Recs (Part 1)

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Join Amanda and Kelsey on as they navigate the stars to recommend books for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, and Virgo. Expect chaos, laughs, and some dramatic book suggestions tailored to your celestial personality. And then come back next month for Part 2!


00:00 Welcome to Lit Vibes Only

00:44 Engage with Us on Social Media

02:40 Astrology and Star Signs

11:13 Book Recommendations for Aries

16:40 Book Recommendations for Taurus

21:21 Book Recommendations for Gemini

27:00 Book Recommendations for Cancer

32:24 Book Recommendations for Leo

38:19 Book Recommendations for Virgo

44:23 Engaging with Listeners and Social Media


Follow us on TikTok & Youtube @litvibesonlypodcast and on Instagram @litvibesonly_podcast. We'd love to hear from you!

See you on Mondays!

Ep. 34: Lit Chats: Zodiac Book Recs
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[00:00:00] Amanda: welcome to Lit Vibes, only where we lit the shit out of books we love and hate. I'm Amanda, the insightful, thrill seeker, and his historical fiction nerd. 

[00:00:12] Kelsey: And I'm Kelsey, the unhinged, diehard, romantic and fantasy reader. Ooh. Hey. 

[00:00:20] Amanda: Hey Kelsey. You have something to do?

[00:00:26] Kelsey: Whatcha talking about Amanda? Sorry for the awkward opening. This is my fault. I just like, at this point, no one is gonna 

[00:00:36] Amanda: be surprised. No one is like, if you've listened to this podcast for any length of time, I think they're anticipating the weird pause when Kelsey forgets that she's supposed to.

[00:00:44] Amanda: Socials. 

[00:00:45] Kelsey: Yes. That's just part of our brain now, so come be social with us on our socials. Find us on Instagram at Live Vibes only podcast and TikTok, where people are way more [00:01:00] friendly and social in general. At Live Vibes Only podcast, and you can find our full length episodes on YouTube. Mm-hmm. At Live Vibes only podcast as well.

[00:01:11] Kelsey: So come interact with us, hang out. We work our fricking asses off. Mm-hmm. To make the content we do. So we would love for some more, more engagement. You could come enjoy it. 

[00:01:22] Amanda: Yeah. Yeah. Come enjoy it. Come enjoy our hard work. And then also, what else can they do, Kelsey, to show some love. 

[00:01:29] Kelsey: Oh my goodness.

[00:01:33] Kelsey: So, also please do, this is the number one thing mm-hmm. That supports podcasts is go rate and review on the podcast platform you are on. Apple and Spotify are the big ones, and so mm-hmm. You can rate and review on Apple, but on Spotify you can only rate and then comment on a particular episode.

[00:01:54] Kelsey: Mm-hmm. So feel free to do that. It just helps us little baby podcasts get seen mm-hmm. [00:02:00] And get known so that other people can hear come find us for the first time. Cute. So please go do that now. 

[00:02:07] Amanda: Yes, please. And after you've finished this episode, if you are, especially if you're listening on Spotify, you can comment with like your star sign and like, oh, absolutely.

[00:02:18] Amanda: Your, your book rack for maybe your star sign. Oh my gosh. I would love that. I would love to actually 

[00:02:22] Kelsey: see that. That so fun. 'cause I think that . Everyone has such a different interpretation. Yes. Different interpretation or like interaction with these signs. Mm-hmm. So they like lean towards a different, like mm-hmm.

[00:02:34] Kelsey: You know. Characteristic. Yeah, exactly. 

[00:02:38] Amanda: Yeah, 

[00:02:38] Kelsey: yeah, 

[00:02:38] Amanda: yeah. Absolutely. I'm like a little nervous going into this episode because I'm not huge into the Zodiac, and so I was like, okay, , let's see how this goes and what, like, all I know is like the basics, like I know what my star sign is.

[00:02:54] Amanda: Which is Capricorn and I know a little bit about like some of the traits associated with it. Mm-hmm. Which sound very much like me, [00:03:00] like disciplined and ambitious and Yes, practical and hardworking. You know, have our heads screwed on straight and we get shit done. Mm-hmm. And that's pretty much it.

[00:03:08] Amanda: Like I've never done my full chart or anything. 

[00:03:11] Kelsey: Yeah. That's so interesting. My sun sign is actually a Capricorn. Look at that. 

[00:03:17] Kelsey: We don't know much about astrology, so 

[00:03:20] Amanda: we don't, we decided to just take a stab at it because it sounded fun. And you can certainly let us know at the end of this episode how we did, but like I said, I know like the basics, like I know all of the star signs so funny. And, but I have never had a full chart done.

[00:03:34] Amanda: I need to, I know you need your birth time. Yeah, to do that. And my birth certificate is locked away in a storage unit in Ohio and I'm in Seattle, so, don't know if I go over, yeah. One to go get that next. I'm in, I'm in Ohio. I'll have to swing by and grab it because I'm curious, like, I think with all of these things, like whether it's the Zodiac or the Enneagram or like Myers Briggs, I just love those things because I'm I'm curious.

[00:03:57] Amanda: Yeah. And I think they can be helpful tools to. [00:04:00] Understand yourself better. 

[00:04:01] Kelsey: Yeah. So it is a star sign the the one that we typically see in the United States. Okay. Where it's like, oh A is Taurus. Mm-hmm. All that. Yeah. So I'm a Taurus in a star sign. Mm-hmm. But then my sun sign is Capricorn and I forget what my moon sign is.

[00:04:14] Kelsey: So I have done a full, like chart. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Full chart. I do know my birth time and I was just about to tell you and you're like, save it for the podcast, where I did one time go to an astrologer, but a eastern astrologer. So someone that was from India. Mm-hmm. And. He completely did a chart for me.

[00:04:38] Kelsey: And then we talked so I feel like my understanding of astrology from the eastern side , of things mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Is that, it's not so much based on like the characteristics and things. It's really like about timing for your own personal life. So they can tell you like, oh, it looks like it's a good time to go back to [00:05:00] school.

[00:05:00] Kelsey: Mm-hmm. Around this time. And I'm like, oh, that was interesting. So that was a conversation that we had. And then also I know my friend. Is getting married to an Indian man. Mm-hmm. And they had to go to an astrologer to decide like their wedding date because they don't get married outside of like , the good time to get married.

[00:05:17] Kelsey: Like, interesting. I don't exactly what that's called, but Yeah. But I know that they went through that and so, yeah, there's just like different energetic days and times of your life that you're just like more likely to succeed in certain areas. Mm, yeah. So like interesting, if I went to an astrologer right now be like, yeah, I wanna have a child, let's say.

[00:05:38] Kelsey: Mm-hmm. And they would be like, oh, this is around the time you should start trying. Or like, it's, yeah. Okay. It's super intricate that way and it's very personalized, so 

[00:05:47] Amanda: Yeah. Okay. So it's more about. Figuring out when you should do things in your life versus here. Like the characteristics of your personality.

[00:05:54] Amanda: Yeah, absolutely. Okay. Yeah. Interesting. I kind of like that. I, yeah. I've never, Eastern 

[00:05:59] Kelsey: [00:06:00] astrology, I think is 

[00:06:00] Amanda: what, okay. Yeah. Okay. Do you feel like, so I guess my question though, going back to like star signs. Yeah. Do you feel like, based on the general description of like a Taurus, do you feel like you're a Taurus?

[00:06:11] Amanda: Yeah. In a lot of ways, yeah. 

[00:06:13] Kelsey: Okay. I definitely take on some of those attributes, but then when I found out that I was a Capricorn, like sun sign it made more sense because I also leaned that way mm-hmm. In different aspects of my life, so, okay. Having the two combined to different parts of my life, like made sense to me.

[00:06:31] Kelsey: Mm-hmm. 

[00:06:32] Amanda: Okay. 

[00:06:32] Kelsey: Yeah, I mean, 

[00:06:32] Amanda: it's kind of like, I dunno how familiar you are with the Enneagram, but. That you have like your main number, right? Oh, one through nine. Oh yeah. Mm-hmm. I'm like an Enneagram one. But then you have like wings and that's like another aspect of your personality. And so it kind of shifts obviously how those two things interact with each other and then how it shows up.

[00:06:53] Amanda: And yeah. I think that's really important with those things because no one is just one thing, right? No one fits into one perfect little [00:07:00] mold. Mm-hmm. And so I think it's helpful to be like, okay, totally. There's a fuller way, right? Mm-hmm. Of expressing who you are. Yeah. 

[00:07:06] Kelsey: Yeah.

[00:07:06] Kelsey: And thinking about like the elements of the signs. Mm-hmm. When I was doing my my chart, I was a lot of Taurus and so in different areas, and so that meant like I was more, skewed towards like the earth sign. Mm-hmm. And that makes a lot of sense to me. And so you're 

[00:07:26] Amanda: very grounded. Yeah. 

[00:07:27] Kelsey: Well, I mean, yes.

[00:07:30] Kelsey: And I think that I also have this, like I'm more connected to like earth rather than other elements, if that makes sense too. 

[00:07:42] Amanda: What does that mean though? Like when you say you're connected to earth, does that mean like, 'cause in my head I'm like, oh, that just means like you're a really grounded, practical person.

[00:07:49] Amanda: But does that mean that you have like a special, but even like, relationship with like, 

[00:07:53] Kelsey: but even like thinking spiritually, I guess because yeah, I do have a spiritual faith, but like, it's not [00:08:00] like airy and aloof, or like, aloof is the wrong word, but like, I don't know how to describe this other than like, I'm just over here.

[00:08:09] Kelsey: Like, I don't, wow. I'm struggling to define this to someone who is not from my culture. 

[00:08:15] Amanda: Mm-hmm. 

[00:08:16] Kelsey: So I guess I'll leave it at that because it, it, I don't know that I'll be able to, but it's a spiritual practice more so than like a personality type thing.

[00:08:26] Amanda: Sure. Mm-hmm. But you feel like your spiritual practice is more connected to, to like 

[00:08:31] Kelsey: earth, 

[00:08:32] Amanda: , it makes me think that you're more connected to like your natural surroundings, Uhhuh versus someone who might have a more cerebral or intellectual approach to spirituality maybe.

[00:08:41] Amanda: Yeah. Mm-hmm. 

[00:08:42] Kelsey: Totally. Okay. I could see it being defined that way. 

[00:08:45] Amanda: I mean, I don't know if that's actually how you define it, but like in my head, like, oh, that, that, that's how you're connected to my understanding. Yeah. Okay. Well, like I said, we're not experts by any means on the Zodiac, but we figured we'd take a stab at it.

[00:08:57] Amanda: We thought it might be something fun to try. Totally. And so what, [00:09:00] essentially we did, we're gonna do this in two parts. Mm-hmm. So we're gonna do six signs. Today, we'll do six signs next month in our Lit Chats episode. And so today we're gonna run through Aries, Taurus, Gemini, cancer, Leo and Virgo. And essentially what we've done is we've chosen, I'll speak for myself, and Kelsey can talk about her choices.

[00:09:18] Amanda: So my choices. I chose books and characters that I thought encapsulated some of the qualities of that particular star sign. From my perspective, I will say, even in prepping for this episode and looking at other websites and blogs, et cetera. Mm-hmm. Who have done these Zodiac book recommendations, there's such.

[00:09:40] Amanda: A wide variety and how people interpret what these signs mean. Mm-hmm. And then how they apply them to their book choices. So we will also read the description of the attributes that we are using today for these signs. Mm-hmm. To explain our choices. And then so Kelsey, you can talk about, yeah. Your thinking.[00:10:00] 

[00:10:00] Kelsey: So when thinking about this episode, I told Amanda, I was like, God, like it would be so for me who does not have like in-depth knowledge of the signs mm-hmm. How would I describe the feelings around a book and the vibes, it's setting vibe, the vibes of a book, like it would be difficult for me to align that with.

[00:10:22] Kelsey: A book, you know, and so I didn't go that route. I went for similar to you, but I only focused on the mmcs of books that I've read. And so I am only connecting the main male characters mm-hmm. To the signs and who I think align with the signs. Love that we're talking about today. Love. So I love it 

[00:10:45] Amanda: and I feel like our fantasy listeners will particularly enjoy that approach to this episode.

[00:10:52] Kelsey: And there's a mixture of romance and fantasy. So 

[00:10:55] Amanda: ffy, 

[00:10:56] Kelsey: I, yeah. 

[00:10:56] Amanda: And then for my books minor a mix unsurprisingly of [00:11:00] thrillers and historical fiction. And I think there's one romance that I am recommending, and it's one that I've actually recommended before. So once we get to it, you might remember which episode I recommended it.

[00:11:11] Amanda: Okay, let's, let's dive right in. So, first up is Aries, how we are describing Aries, we're describing them as adventurous, fiery, and assertive, passionate, bold and impulsive, especially when it comes to their emotions. Mm-hmm. So, keep that in mind as we are talking about our choices for this section. So, Kelsey.

[00:11:31] Amanda: What is your MMC pick for Aries? Oh my gosh. You want me to go first? Yes, I do. You did this 'cause 

[00:11:36] Kelsey: you're nervous. We're both nervous. I'm not. Do you want me to go first? It's fine, it's fine. We can kind of flip flop. Okay. So my pick was four from Divergent and the thing is, I, I also went a little beyond like the description we had here, but he is.

[00:11:56] Kelsey: Quite adventurous, you know, and he's not going to back [00:12:00] down from what needs to be done. So he is like very, very bold in like his morality mm-hmm. And his decision making. And so that was a huge part of why I, I chose him as the Aries for this episode. Also, I just, I loved the Divergent series.

[00:12:18] Kelsey: Mm-hmm. Same, I think that I wished that they would've finished mm-hmm. The book, or I'm sorry, the, the movies. Movies, 

[00:12:25] Amanda: yeah. 

[00:12:26] Kelsey: Because there was so much more that they did not capture beyond how the movies ended. And I guess it could have ended that way, but, ugh. God, this book ripped my heart out. These books ripped my heart out and I was like pretty young when I read them, you know?

[00:12:43] Kelsey: And so, I absolutely still have an emotional connection to four and Triss and, I won't give anything away. I almost just did. But spoil, if you haven't spoil it, Virgin spoilers spoil. This is a spoiler free episode. So yeah, I really felt like [00:13:00] four embodied, those attributes. Mm-hmm. But again, like in his relationship with Tris, he's absolutely very passionate about her and who she is.

[00:13:08] Kelsey: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. And like, lifts her up. Mm-hmm. And isn't afraid to have someone else be. Leader as well. Yeah. And I was also thinking about his impulsivity around like, , his emotions really drive him in this mm-hmm. Series. Mm-hmm. Because of the way that he feels about Tris .

[00:13:24] Kelsey: Mm-hmm. And who knows if he would've like taken those actions without that. Tie to her. Yeah. So yeah. Yeah. And I thought as a leader as well, in the first book, like he definitely was absolutely very assertive and very like on point when he's dealing with the new recruits, you know, he doesn't back down, um mm-hmm.

[00:13:45] Kelsey: Those kind of attributes. So that's why I chose four. 

[00:13:47] Amanda: Yeah. I love it. I mean, I think too, just more broadly speaking Yeah. Like the divergent series in that first book too, because areas are adventurous like that, that whole series is just like a super fun, adventurous, wild ride. [00:14:00] Totally. And I think would very much align with somebody who has those particular qualities, and I think they would see that in those books, really enjoy that.

[00:14:07] Amanda: And that carries throughout the entire series. So I think even just speaking about the plot, it works as well. Awesome. So, so 

[00:14:15] Kelsey: divergent could be. Deemed as 

[00:14:16] Amanda: an 

[00:14:16] Kelsey: Aries. 

[00:14:18] Amanda: Yeah. Like the diversion book series, I think is an Aries. Yeah. So my first pick, unsurprisingly is historical eviction.

[00:14:26] Amanda: Also, unsurprisingly, it's a Kristen Hannah book. Kristen Hannah. And it is my. Favorite Kristin Hannah book. The Four Wins is a close second, but this book is The Nightingale. It was my first Kristin Hannah book that I read, and it set in World War II in France again. World War II is one of my favorite periods historical periods.

[00:14:45] Amanda: And the reason why I pri the primary reason why I chose this book is because of the younger sister. So this book tells the story of two sisters Vian. I hope that's how you say her name. Vian. Vian. Probably 'cause it's French. And then Isabelle. And Isabella is the youngest sister. [00:15:00] She is incredibly impulsive and bold, very impetuous, and she's the one who ends up 

[00:15:05] Amanda: joining the French resistance and , oh, doing the thing, right. She gets fully involved in that effort and is incredibly, again, fiery, adventurous, et cetera. But the, the other reason why I chose it as well is that Vian is the older sister. I'm gonna go with Vian, I dunno if that's how you say it. Is the older sister she's married.

[00:15:23] Amanda: Mm-hmm. Her husband, you know, leaves to go fight in the war. So she's left with her and her young daughter, and even though she's much more like mild mannered. Then her sister over the course of the war the Germans occupy their village and a lot of really horrible things happen.

[00:15:37] Amanda: And in light of all of that, she still finds it within herself to help others. And she like. Well, I don't wanna spoil too much of the story. Yeah. But she takes steps that, for her especially, are quite bold. Mm-hmm. And so even though she herself isn't necessarily an Aries, the actions that she takes and the behaviors that she portrays in the face of grave danger are [00:16:00] bold and assertive and are outside of her normal ways of being, and I think makes the story that much more compelling because you're seeing someone.

[00:16:10] Amanda: Step outside of themselves to help others. Mm-hmm. So it's a great story all around. And again, the plot itself, a lot happens. Mm-hmm. It's a war story, so. Mm-hmm. You know, there's gonna be quote unquote adventures happening, although it is heartbreaking. Um mm-hmm. And so I think in that sense as well, it would be a good pick for an Aries to check out.

[00:16:31] Amanda: Oh, nice. And I, I definitely think an Aries would see themselves, especially in the character of Isabel, so. 

[00:16:37] Kelsey: Nice. Yay. Okay. 

[00:16:39] Amanda: Okay, go for the next one. 

[00:16:40] Kelsey: So we're on to Taurus. Mm-hmm. And we describe Taurus as being reliable, patient, practical, determined, and also stubborn. All of those things very much describe me especially the stubbornness.

[00:16:56] Kelsey: So. My first pick, my pick for this [00:17:00] one. I was like, God, what MMC is like super reliable and stable and grounded and, do I have you reading this one next month? Yes. I'm gonna be reading it for next month. Yeah. Yeah. So I don't wanna spoil anything for you, but the mm. MC is Dan Noa Colson, but he also goes by Dan.

[00:17:20] Kelsey: Okay. That is an indigenous name from down where this is set in, in Oklahoma. 

[00:17:25] Amanda: Mm-hmm. 

[00:17:26] Kelsey: And so it's from the truth according to Ember, while Ember is this kind of really chaotic character mm-hmm. And has a lot of things happening to her in a short period of time. Dan is this constant person that shows up in the same way, is very like.

[00:17:46] Kelsey: Very oh, what is this word? 

[00:17:48] Amanda: Consistent. 

[00:17:49] Kelsey: Yes. Thank you. Very consistent and reliable. And he is very patient with her, even though she's like doing some weird things. Mm-hmm. But he's also determined to have [00:18:00] this relationship with her if she gets her shit together. Okay. So, I'm intrigued. I definitely found him to be very tourist like.

[00:18:10] Kelsey: Okay. So that was my reasoning and I don't wanna go into the story too much because I want you to read it and take your own mm-hmm. Takeaways. Okay. I wanna hear your own takeaways for that. 

[00:18:20] Amanda: Well, listeners, you'll have to make sure and tune in next month because mm-hmm. I will definitely have all my thoughts to share with you once I've read it.

[00:18:27] Amanda: And it is a romance. It's like a straight up romance, not a romantic. This will be my straight. This will just be my second romance that you've had me read. 'cause the only other one was before I let go. Yeah. By Kennedy Ryan. 

[00:18:36] Kelsey: So, and it's a contemporary romance too, so 

[00:18:38] Amanda: Yeah. And it's like an indigenous romance, like, yeah.

[00:18:41] Amanda: So I'm, I'm excited more excited than I normally would be for romance. Of course. It's also not long read, so even if it's No, it's bad, I will be able to zip through it quickly. Okay, so I have another historical fiction, no surprise. Pick for my Taurus. My Tauruses Tor. [00:19:00] Yeah, Tor, I don't, what is the plural of Taurus?

[00:19:02] Amanda: My Torah. The Torah for my Torah out there. And this is a book I actually read quite recently. I finished it a couple weeks ago. It is a gentleman in Moscow by a Mortel, and I chose this book actually. This is a character based choice. It's for Count Alexander, who is the MMC for this book. And he is like this, it, the book starts, the book covers multiple decades, but it starts when he's, I think in like his thirties.

[00:19:33] Amanda: Mm-hmm. And he is from this aristocratic, wealthy Russian family. But you know, the Bolshevik revolution's happening and things are in upheaval. Needless to say, he ends up serving out like a life sentence at a hotel. He can't leave the hotel. Mm-hmm. But he, in my opinion, is very much a Taurus because even in the midst of all of the chaos that happens over the course of several decades, he [00:20:00] finds himself.

[00:20:00] Amanda: Mm-hmm. Becoming kind of this surrogate father at one point, and he has to adapt to like life in a hotel after having lived, you know, for a good chunk of his life in wealth and splendor and in spite of it all, he kind of remains unfazed. He maintains his dry sense of humor. He doesn't compromise on his.

[00:20:25] Amanda: Beliefs in spite of the upheaval and change that's happening in Russia over the course of these decades. Mm-hmm. He's really got a level head on his shoulders. And I think other people who might have come from wealthier backgrounds, more privileged existences might have fallen apart as their world fell apart.

[00:20:42] Amanda: Apart. Absolutely. And instead he just. Stays the course and in the midst of it, it's also able to reach out and support and help others kind of like your character and truth according to Ember. Mm-hmm. And he's just a lot of fun. He just reminded me of this like fun.

[00:20:58] Amanda: Sarcastic, [00:21:00] but also very tender uncle or something like Uhhuh. I just enjoyed spending time with him over the course of several decades in this book, and he gave me strong tourist vibes. So it's also just a fantastic book. And so I think you'll enjoy it for both the character and then for the story itself.

[00:21:17] Amanda: So that's my nice pic, my t spec. Okay, so our Gemini, our next biggest Geminis or Gemini. And we have described Gemini, the Gemini star sign as communicative, adaptable, curious definitely intellectually curious.

[00:21:34] Amanda: Mm-hmm. Playful and very like sociable. Creatures. 

[00:21:38] Kelsey: The other thing that I also included here was kind of this like dual identity. Absolutely. Yep. Yeah, 

[00:21:45] Amanda: yeah. Because Gemini is like the t like they're twins, right? Yeah. Yep. So like having kind of multiple facets to who you are. Yeah, for sure. 

[00:21:51] Kelsey: Should I go first?

[00:21:52] Amanda: Yes. 

[00:21:53] Kelsey: Alright. My pick for this, and I had a hard time with Gemini. I was like, God, what MMC is like super [00:22:00] sociable because not a lot of them are, 

[00:22:03] Amanda: there's a lot of. All the shadow daddies. Yes. 

[00:22:08] Kelsey: So not often are they like super sociable and happy people. Yeah. But Kai Arviso from Trail of Lightning. Oh, Kai. I absolutely think that he is a Gemini.

[00:22:21] Kelsey: Mm-hmm. So sociable like he is. The sunshine to her grumpy to Maggie's grumpy. Yes, absolutely. And so he's super playful with her and like sociable. He also is very smart. Mm-hmm. He is a medicine man. Mm-hmm. But that's never like the whole part of his identity. Yeah. You know, and it's not outward facing for him either.

[00:22:42] Kelsey: Mm-hmm. Very much keeps that secret and doesn't outwardly show his abilities. Mm-hmm. And so that's where I came in with that, like kind of dual identity mm-hmm. Where he does have this kind of secret baggage he's carrying but also is this outwardly social and like mm-hmm.

[00:22:59] Kelsey: Playful [00:23:00] person. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Again, the sunshine to Maggie's grumpy. 

[00:23:04] Amanda: Yeah. So, that's why I chose Kai. 100% agree. Especially, I'm just thinking about when he first shows up in the story, Uhhuh and Maggie describes him as this kind of Hollywood, super good looking charismatic. Hetero Charismatic too.

[00:23:17] Amanda: Yes. Uhhuh. He has this almost mask that he wears the way that he presents himself. Mm-hmm. Where like underneath it. Yeah. There's a lot happening. Yes. There's a lot more depth there. 

[00:23:25] Kelsey: And the other thing too, like you have adaptable there as well. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. And I think that, you know, he was with TA and he was just kind of gonna live with him and just mm-hmm.

[00:23:35] Kelsey: Live on his couch and just mm-hmm. Kind of exist. Mm-hmm. And then he was thrown into this adventure. Adventure with Maggie. Mm-hmm. And it was like, yeah. Cool. Yeah, 

[00:23:43] Amanda: I can roll with that. Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. And even watching him as they navigate the different Yeah. Adventures they have, again, without spray, anything, you see these different elements of his characters start to appear that you were not evident at the beginning.

[00:23:57] Amanda: Exactly. So yeah, that's a great choice actually. Well [00:24:00] done. 

[00:24:00] Kelsey: You're like, 

[00:24:00] Amanda: dang. 

[00:24:01] Kelsey: Yeah, I really Awesome. Well, thank you. I really 

[00:24:03] Amanda: enjoyed that book. That was one of your re quitter wrecks. I, I, yay. Thoroughly enjoyed read the second book too, and enjoyed it. Yeah. Yeah, so I also struggled with this one. A lot of folks.

[00:24:15] Amanda: I looked at other lists, Uhhuh and a lot of folks recommended the Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, and I've read it. Yeah, we've talked about it on the podcast. Mm-hmm. And I can understand why, but it almost felt a little too, on the nose, because that book is very much like explicitly about people having twins.

[00:24:30] Amanda: Kind of twins. Yeah. There's twins, like people having like different identities. Mm-hmm. Whether it's like. Their gender and sexual orientation or mm-hmm. About race. And so I was like, I get why it's a choice, but I don't wanna be that obvious. Yeah. So I as a thriller lover was like, well, let me pick a thriller for multiple reasons.

[00:24:48] Amanda: So I went with. The IT Girl by Ruth Ware who is not a thriller author, I don't think I've mentioned previously on the podcast. Don't think so. I've read several of her books, don't, and I do enjoy her work [00:25:00] for the most part. There can again, kind of hit and miss sometimes, but overall, enjoy her work. And the reason why I chose this one is because as we talked about, like Geminis are curious, Geminis need to be intellectually stimulated, especially when they're reading.

[00:25:12] Amanda: And this book will do that for you. It'll keep you guessing. People in this book are not. Always who they seem to be. And I think that very much ties into that dual nature that we see with Geminis. Mm-hmm. 

[00:25:25] Kelsey: Like 

[00:25:25] Amanda: are people who they say they are or not, and what are the many faces that we can put on? And then also a little bit more layered than that, the ways that we might perhaps.

[00:25:37] Amanda: Lie to ourselves, right? About how we're feeling and what we're thinking or what's happening in order to, I don't know, maintain our own sanity, to not feel guilt about things, et cetera. So I think in general, thrillers are a good genre for Gemini 'cause it is gonna keep you guessing. It's gonna, again, tie into that curious nature.

[00:25:57] Amanda: It's gonna keep you, stimulated, you do [00:26:00] have to kind of adapt to whatever's thrown at you in a thriller as well and just kind of roll with it. So I think overall that genre fits them really well. And I think this book in particular will keep a Gemini intrigued all the way through. Nice. I could've, honestly, there were a ton of thrillers I could've chosen, but yeah, this was one I was like, I wanna celebrate an author I haven't talked about yet on this podcast.

[00:26:20] Kelsey: Yeah. So it was more about the vibes rather than a character. 

[00:26:23] Amanda: Yeah. I wouldn't say there's one particular character. That. I mean, maybe April, who's, who is the IT girl? Right. Okay. She's the one who's at the heart of the story in a lot of ways. Mm-hmm. She's the one who, which I don't think will spoil it 'cause it says this on the book jacket, but she's the one who ends up getting murdered.

[00:26:39] Amanda: And. And she's not a necessarily like good person, but she's super, you know, she's a social butterfly. Like Uhhuh, she's, she's the IT girl. Everybody loves her. , she's at the center of attention, , can be playful. Okay. And so I think she would also be the Gemini. Mm-hmm. In this story.

[00:26:56] Amanda: In the story. 

[00:26:56] Kelsey: Mm-hmm. Cool. Yeah. Nice job. [00:27:00] Okay. So moving on to cancer. Mm-hmm. The way that we're describing cancer is nurturing, emotional, intuitive, moody, protective. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. All the things. So I had one where I was like, oh. This is the only option. You've never read this book, but 

[00:27:20] Amanda: no. 

[00:27:21] Kelsey: Those, you've talked about it though.

[00:27:22] Kelsey: Yeah. Those who know this book are not going to be surprised. Okay. My pick was con from when the moon hatched. By Sarah A. Parker. I realize that I haven't been saying the authors of the other one. I was 

[00:27:37] Amanda: just gonna say that 

[00:27:39] Kelsey: it's literally the only author I have on there. It's, I don't know how it happened.

[00:27:44] Kelsey: It just did. That's my brain. But Khan is this man who has lost. Someone really important to him. Mm-hmm. And he absolutely is very distraught about it and [00:28:00] emotional and can be moody. And like for cancers, I really, really focused on being emotional. Mm-hmm. And like that nurturing aspect. Mm-hmm.

[00:28:11] Kelsey: Right. Your heart on your sleeves absolutely. He's protective of the FMC and yeah, it was mostly like on that aspect of like emotional, he is, he's a very emotional MMC where he just like loves this woman. Mm-hmm. And nothing else will get in the way of him and this woman.

[00:28:30] Kelsey: And his story is just like, yeah, it's just quite emotional, so. Okay. I will leave it at that. Okay. No spoilers. I 

[00:28:38] Amanda: also go. No, I was gonna say, it's so hard, I didn't think about this before, but it's like so hard to do this episode and like describe these books without giving spoilers and like, oh, because I kind of wanna say this other thing that proves even more why this book fits in this category and I can't say it.

[00:28:55] Kelsey: Yeah. And like the second book comes out. This year, I think [00:29:00] September. So I might have you read this one. I don't necessarily think you'll really love it, but you'll understand why Con is. 

[00:29:08] Amanda: I remember when you were listening to it on audiobook, you were like, I think I'm gonna have to go back and read it because it's so complex and like there's 

[00:29:15] Kelsey: Yes it was.

[00:29:16] Kelsey: And. Absolutely. Yeah. Okay. And I think like that book would be deemed like a Gemini, like the, the vibe. 

[00:29:24] Amanda: Okay. Okay. Good 

[00:29:25] Kelsey: to know. But yeah, it definitely had like twists and turns and it was like mm-hmm. You really, it had the trope of like uncovered memories, which I like really love.

[00:29:36] Kelsey: Okay. That's like one of my top tropes. Okay. So I really love that for that reason. Yeah. And that was similar in. The book we just read, the Reappearance of Rachel Price. Mm-hmm. Okay. Yeah. So 

[00:29:48] Amanda: anyway. Okay. All right. That sounds good. Yeah, that sounds great. Alright. Well, I, I will perhaps look forward to reading that at some point in the future.

[00:29:56] Amanda: Maybe, maybe not. So yeah, my pick for [00:30:00] cancer is both for a character and then for like, the overall vibes of the book. I read this book at the beginning of this year. It's all the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. If you fall on socials, you know that I. Definitely raved about it on, on socials.

[00:30:11] Amanda: Mm-hmm. But, oh God, this book it is incredibly emotional. Even though it's this weird combination of a mystery and a love story and a crime thriller, whoa. It really is about all the feels. And it really dives into the characters and the relationships with each other. It's incredibly moody because of all of the dark things that happen in the book.

[00:30:36] Amanda: And again, no spoilers, but, you know, crimes happen. Mm-hmm. And then of course how that impacts each of the individuals. It's, yeah, it's just an emotional, heartbreaking ride. And I think for cancers and for folks who, again, kind of wear their hearts on their sleeves, I think that you will just, you'll feel all the feels.

[00:30:54] Amanda: You will cry in this book. Your little heartstrings will be plucked. I think in [00:31:00] terms of characters, I would say probably patch, who is the main, again, the main male character. Uhhuh would be very much a cancer. He's also an artist, and I think a lot of artists mm-hmm. Fall into or can fall into, maybe Leo's as well, can fall into that.

[00:31:18] Amanda: That star sign. Because out of that emotional angsty place of feels, a lot of creativity can flow and it's how they can process their emotions. And so looking at Patch and then his relationship with Grace and the fact that, their kind of love story I guess stretches across decades and time in this entire book, it really is a book for the feels.

[00:31:45] Amanda: It is, and it's beautifully written. Oh my God. Mm. It's slower paced, so maybe not something that would be good for like, I don't know, me like a Gemini or like an Aries maybe, but it really just lets you , sit and like marinate in the characters and their [00:32:00] feelings and their relationships with each other and what it all means.

[00:32:02] Amanda: And it takes time. Like it takes a place across many years. Okay. So, yeah. So a 

[00:32:06] Kelsey: cancer might actually enjoy this book. 

[00:32:09] Amanda: Yeah, absolutely. And, and patch two is also. Incredibly protective. I'm not gonna, again, get into the details, but it's very obvious mm-hmm. Over the course of this book that, that's such a huge element of who he is.

[00:32:20] Amanda: So Cool. That's my, that's my cancer pick. And then we're moving on to Leo's Yes. Which we've described as dramatic. Charismatic, creative, generous, and natural leaders. Yes. I feel like if I ever do my full chart, there's gonna be Leo in there somewhere because this is also very me. Oh, yeah. I could see that too.

[00:32:41] Amanda: Maybe not the charismatic part, but like definitely dramatic, creative, generous, like being a leader. Like, yeah. Anyhow, what, what was your choice? Okay, 

[00:32:49] Kelsey: so. My choice. I read this very recently, but I was like, this is the only choice. Okay. Is a hawk from blood and ash. [00:33:00] Mm. And I think people could. I'm not gonna go into that, but 'cause he has another name, but I'm not going to spoil that for anybody.

[00:33:07] Kelsey: Okay. Who has not read the book yet. Okay. But I think that for sure he's very charismatic. Mm-hmm. There's like, that is how he's described in the book. He's just very lovable. You know, people are attracted to him. People Yeah. Gravitate towards him. He is this natural leader that is like, not afraid to, be in that spotlight. Mm-hmm. And his, his like decisions are quite dramatic in the, in the plot and it furthers the plot. Okay. And it can be a little intense, but I think, yeah. He's also has this kind, generous side to him when he's interacting with the FMC.

[00:33:46] Kelsey: Okay. So, yeah, I just thought he was a big personality I felt, and this natural leader in ways. 

[00:33:53] Amanda: Okay. Love that. He sounds like a perfect fit. Perfect little Leo. Yeah, we'll see. I might 

[00:33:58] Kelsey: have you read this one. 

[00:33:59] Amanda: [00:34:00] Oh my God. But. 

[00:34:01] Kelsey: Yeah, we'll see. You 

[00:34:03] Amanda: wouldn't, I don't think you would like it. Okay. Based on the books you've had me read so far, what is it most similar to?

[00:34:11] Amanda: What books have I read? Have you had to read? Powerless Divine Rivals, A Guitar bride. What other fantasy books have you, I guess that's, is that it? 

[00:34:20] Kelsey: I don't think it's very similar to a lot of those of them. Oh, okay. Yeah. Cool. Oh, fourth. 

[00:34:25] Amanda: Is it similar to Fourth Wing at all?

[00:34:27] Amanda: I forgot you had me read Fourth Wing as well. A little bit. A 

[00:34:31] Kelsey: little. 

[00:34:31] Amanda: Okay. Okay. Alright. But I'm just curious if the vibes were similar. Okay. 

[00:34:36] Kelsey: Not the vibes. Not the vibes, but like some similar like tropes in, of course. Sure. That makes sense. 

[00:34:42] Amanda: Yeah. Okay. And 

[00:34:43] Kelsey: characters. Alright, I'm 

[00:34:44] Amanda: gonna, I'm gonna recommend my one and only romance because again, I don't read a lot of romance, but this one I truly loved.

[00:34:50] Amanda: And if you have been with this podcast from the beginning, this was in one of our earlier episodes, I believe is when we were celebrating. LGBTQ plus History [00:35:00] month. Mm-hmm. This is a romance called Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. And this for me was a character pick. So, again, I guess I did do a lot of mmcs unwittingly.

[00:35:11] Amanda: The mm c one of them is Alex Claremont Diaz. He is the first son, he's the son of the president. And I think, yeah, perfectly encapsulates. Like Leo Energy, he is interesting. He, I think so. Like he's definitely charismatic. Yeah. People are kind of naturally drawn to him. Mm-hmm. He knows how to work a room.

[00:35:30] Amanda: He enjoys being in the spotlight. It doesn't phase him in any way. I very much think he's a natural leader and he wants more responsibility. Like over the course of the novel, he's like begging his mom the president to like, let him do more. Yeah. And he doesn't shy away from that responsibility mm-hmm.

[00:35:45] Amanda: Of being a leader. I think in his relationship with Henry, who's one of the princes of England. Mm-hmm. We do like, we do see that generous, like you were kind of saying with your person Hawk kind of generous, kind nature [00:36:00] and even the way that he like. Opens up his life to Henry and invites him into his home.

[00:36:05] Amanda: Like they, well, I don't wanna, ugh, I don't wanna spit. Okay. Won't say too much more my bad. But I, I know God. But I will say if you are a Leo, I think you'll very much see yourself. And Alex, I think overall you'll enjoy the book because the book itself is also creative and fun and has these dramatic moment to kind of read uhhuh sometimes, like, not necessarily like a soap opera, like it's not cheesy.

[00:36:30] Amanda: But you know, there's like a lot of heightened emotion uhhuh and Yes. You know, these big dramatic moments where you have these children of heads of state, of these two really important countries. Yeah. In these very kind of pivotal moments. You know, making decisions that have wide reaching or far reaching effects.

[00:36:47] Amanda: And far reaching impacts. So it's a fun ride. I, I laughed my way through that book and smiled and thoroughly enjoyed it. So, 

[00:36:55] Kelsey: yeah, I, oh God. This is the only one that I'm like conflicted [00:37:00] about so far. 'cause all the other ones. All of my other picks, I was like, yeah, this is spot on. But this one, I do think it's more like, I don't know, I'm a little conflicted, but I think it's more like I'm relating it to the Dr.

[00:37:12] Kelsey: Natural leader and then like charismatic, I'm not mm-hmm. Defining it like you did where someone can like. Take over a room. Mm-hmm. But it's that people are attracted to this person, you know? And like, that's, 

[00:37:23] Amanda: that's, that's what, yeah. 

[00:37:23] Kelsey: Not necessarily because of like how he speaks, but like mm-hmm.

[00:37:27] Kelsey: Because of his aura and like his energy, what he looks like. 

[00:37:31] Amanda: Oh. Oh, so they're attracted to him because of his looks? 

[00:37:33] Kelsey: Yes. But people are kind of just attracted to him in general, like wanna be around him in his presence. 

[00:37:39] Amanda: Okay. 

[00:37:40] Kelsey: But. I, a big part of it is because of his looks. Oh, okay. But he also is dramatic, so yeah.

[00:37:46] Kelsey: Anyway, I feel like, gosh, there's the only one I'm like, Hmm. Is that right? But let me know what you think. 

[00:37:54] Amanda: And like no one is any one thing like we were saying before. Perfect. Or no one fits into any of these star signs. Like [00:38:00] 100%. Yeah. I mean, I don't think so, but maybe other people will feel differently.

[00:38:04] Amanda: Yes. No, I'm absolutely 100% a Virgo. Yeah. 

[00:38:07] Kelsey: No, I think for sure. Yeah. Everybody has so many intricate qualities. And then I think if I'm wrong about this next one, people are gonna be like, 

[00:38:16] Amanda: you're so wrong. Oh, I, I agree with you on this one. So let's, let's just in to our Virgos who apparently are ambitious.

[00:38:26] Amanda: Analytical detail oriented reliable, they're perfectionist, hardworking, overthinkers, like very type A, in my opinion. 

[00:38:34] Kelsey: Yeah. Yeah. 

[00:38:35] Amanda: And I'm like, I think I'm definitely a Virgo, like at least partially 

[00:38:39] Kelsey: re like reading through these, you know, like actually I'm, all of these things I'm things, I'm all of 

[00:38:42] Amanda: these things.

[00:38:43] Kelsey: So my pick, I guess no surprise to Amanda yes, but perhaps to others is re-sand from the series A quart of thorns and roses. Mm-hmm. And I was like, God, yeah, he is, he is this [00:39:00] because he is. Extremely hardworking. Mm-hmm. He is absolutely a perfectionist in like the plans that he makes. Mm-hmm. And if they go wrong or if someone he knows like gets hurt because of his plans, he blames himself.

[00:39:14] Kelsey: Mm-hmm. And that's very perfectionist, like type of behavior. Mm-hmm. And also like when he is creating these plans, he's. Absolutely very analytical. Mm-hmm. And detail oriented. Think about like when he was with Amantha, right? Mm-hmm. For 50 years he had to prepare all of the small details and make sure 

[00:39:33] Kelsey: his own, interactions with her were spot on. It had to be very detail oriented. Mm-hmm. And he analyzes different situations to get what he needs and wants. Yes. Yeah. And so, that was a huge portion of like what I saw from him in this series. Mm-hmm. And then I would also say like, he. Is we said reliable and, mm-hmm.

[00:39:55] Kelsey: Absolutely. Yeah. Like he would do anything for the close knit circle, the inner circle [00:40:00] of his people. Mm-hmm. Like be Amantha's whore for 50 years. Yeah. So that they could take care of Theis and they were not affected because mm-hmm. Of the decisions that he made. But also thinking about like later on when he, you haven't read the, the rest of the series, which one are you on?

[00:40:18] Kelsey: You still I've read, 

[00:40:19] Amanda: yeah, I'm on the third. I haven't started it, but I've read the first two. 

[00:40:22] Kelsey: Okay. So like in the fourth. Fifth book actually in Nester's book, there's something going on with Farrah that he's overthinking where he's just like mm-hmm. Keeping those things to himself.

[00:40:36] Kelsey: Mm-hmm. And trying to manage a situation by himself where. He could have included Farrah but didn't. Mm-hmm. Because I think he's like doing this like overthinking thing where Yeah. Yeah. Trying to be this perfectionist and reliable at the same time. It's like this conflicts within him. It's ask for help.

[00:40:54] Kelsey: Yeah. And so that is why I chose Resand. Yeah. 

[00:40:58] Amanda: I [00:41:00] 100% agree. I mean, I've only read the first two books and even just from . My interactions with him via the text, I'm like, spot on. For sure. I think he's such a, a glad you agree with me. I'm glad I, we'll see, we'll see if anyone responds to this, know these episode, he's like, you're so wrong.

[00:41:14] Amanda: He's such a whatever. He's, I mean, I definitely think he has Gemini tendencies, especially in his interactions with Farrah in Um-huh. Hack Math in the second book mm-hmm. With like kind of the playful and like sociable and kind of that He's very 

[00:41:27] Kelsey: smart. He's very smart. 

[00:41:29] Amanda: Yeah. Yeah. But, and I also think with the Gemini thing, he has to put on different faces for different people.

[00:41:34] Amanda: Like he was one person. Totally. He's one person. Mm-hmm. When he's like, I don't remember the people who live in the night court, but who are really kind of vile and evil. Oh yeah. Mm-hmm. And he has to be one kind of leader with them. Yeah. And then he's another person with the people of Valara and like, like, so he definitely has multiple roles.

[00:41:51] Amanda: Yeah. So he's got some Gemini happening too. Okay. My last pick. Is, and I love the title of this book 'cause it is just a wild [00:42:00] title, but it is My sister, the Serial Killer by Kin Braithwaite. And I read this book several years ago. It was recommended by a friend who is in my book club, and this again, was a choice primarily for the characters versus like the overall vibes of the book.

[00:42:19] Amanda: Mm-hmm. It tells the story of these two Nigerian sisters kde and. And Corde is like the older sister. She's a nurse. Mm-hmm. And she very much is, in my opinion, a Virgo. Like she's got her shit together. She is reliable. She's incredibly hardworking. She always thinks about the details. Mm-hmm. And because of that, her sister, who was a serial killer as she is like murdering her lovers, she is the one.

[00:42:47] Amanda: Coe is the one who has to like come in and kind of clean up the mess, essentially. Oh my God. And so I love very much relies on COE's, Virgo tendencies, Virgo traits, to do those things. She [00:43:00] has to be able to carefully think these things through. Wow. In order to make sure like neither of them get caught.

[00:43:05] Amanda: And so her sister is very much. Chaotic. Her sister, honestly, is probably like an Aries, I would say Uhhuh. And so she very much is the one K, keeping it together. Right. It's a wild book. And the ending I think will surprise you. But the premise is really interesting. Like yeah, what would you do for your sibling?

[00:43:25] Amanda: How far would you go? And, is murder justified ever? Right? Like where do we draw that line? It kind of ties into the book that we just talked about, the reappearance of Rachel Price. Mm-hmm. Because, you know, they do end up killing a couple folks at the end. And we don't necessarily feel too bad about that or feel too badly about that.

[00:43:45] Amanda: Mm-hmm. So, I think mainly, it's a Virgo pick. Oops. Hello. If anyone's watching on YouTube, my, my entire , setup just tilted. Okay. We're, we're fine over here. Yeah, so I, I don't know that the overall [00:44:00] vibe of this book would necessarily be vir, but maybe it is because if you do like thinking through the details and you are kind of type A, you might enjoy this book because you get to witness how Cord A handles the chaos of her sister and is still able to, mm-hmm. Maintain some sense of normalcy and keep them both from going to prison, so you might enjoy that. Interesting as the go. Yeah. So yeah, those are our, our first six. Yeah. I think more so than like any episode we've done before. I really, we really do want to hear from you guys. Like, do you agree Absolutely.

[00:44:34] Amanda: Or disagree with our choices. Mm-hmm. Do you have your own recommendations for these different star signs? Yeah. How did we do? We need a report card. 

[00:44:44] Kelsey: Yeah. We need feedback here. You got it. So wrong because I'm sure there 

[00:44:50] Amanda: are, I, I know for a fact there are listeners who are way more well versed in Yes.

[00:44:55] Amanda: Like star signs and astrology than we are. Yes. And like, how far off were we guys? [00:45:00] 

[00:45:01] Kelsey: And I also, I used to listen to a lot of talkers who were I think there's one named Cole. Shout out to Cole. , he, he. Does all sorts of videos on mm-hmm. Astrology. Mm-hmm. And he, sometimes he'll do like, desserts, astrology edition, and I'm like, what?

[00:45:18] Kelsey: And he'll be like, carrot cake is this. And I'm like, how do you know? And he's like, no. Arguing with me. It's my opinion. I don't care what you think. 

[00:45:27] Amanda: Well, that's the thing, right? Like a lot of this is being said is so subjective. Oh, subjective. Like listeners, if you go online right now and.

[00:45:34] Amanda: Google Zodiac book recs, you're gonna see so many lists with so many different interpretations. Yes. Of how folks are deciding, like I said, book recs. So yeah, we're curious what your thoughts are, so let us know if we like nailed it or failed it. 

[00:45:48] Kelsey: And let us know if you want the second half. 

[00:45:50] Amanda: Yeah, because maybe like, oh my God, this was awful.

[00:45:53] Amanda: Please never do this again. I mean, we're still going to, or if it was awful, and do it more. Or like, [00:46:00] here's where you can improve for, next month. Yeah. But okay. Quickly, socials where you can go and let us know all the thoughts on this episode. Yes. Once again, we're on Instagram at Lit Vibes only underscore podcast, and then TikTok and YouTube at Lit Vibes only podcast.

[00:46:15] Amanda: So please hop on our socials and lay it on us. How did this podcast episode Yes, land for you? And then of course, as always, rate and review if you haven't taken a chance. To do that yet, 

[00:46:28] Kelsey: go do it. 

[00:46:29] Amanda: Yes. Yes, please. Alright. All right. That's it for us. We'll 

[00:46:34] Kelsey: see you next Monday. See you next Monday.

[00:46:36] Kelsey: Bye bye.