The Best Classic Novel For You Based On Your Zodiac Sign

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Our zodiac signs can tell us a lot about the types of books we enjoy; from whether we're into romance or mystery to if we're more likely to identify with unreliable narrators. So what about if we apply that same approach to the classics?

While most avid readers would argue you can never go wrong with adding any classic novel to your TBR, applying an astrological approach to selecting which book should be dusted off the shelf adds a layer of fun to the search. We let the stars take charge, using widely recognized personality traits of each zodiac sign to determine which novel you won't be able to put down.

For our list, we broadened the definition of 'classic' to include widely-regarded fiction books of any genre released before 2000. We also solely included novels with a 3.5 or higher reader rating on Goodreads and 5,000 or more reviews at the time of writing — so you know you're in for the best of the best. From inspiring stories of activism to wet an Aquarian's whistle to family-friendly novels that will tap into the optimistic Cancer's desire for whimsy and imagination, there's a book guaranteed to resonate with every sun sign. And remember we've got you covered if you're looking for your zodiac to determine the best memoir for you too.

Aries people are very in touch with their wants and needs, just like the hopeful gang who head to Oz to meet The Wizard in L. Frank Baum's classic literary tale "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Those who fall under this zodiac will no doubt relate to the unique and personal desires the group wants to ask The Wizard for, like courage and a heart. This fire sign is also notorious for its penchant for adventure, passion, and spontaneity, which will also help them relate to the ragtag bunch who decide to follow the yellow brick road. Then there's the Aries' enviable childlike enthusiasm, which the family friendly novel, first released in 1900, will help unleash.

On Goodreads, the book has a 4.0-rating and over 21,800 reviews at the time of writing. Multiple reviewers noted those who have seen the famous 1939 movie featuring Judy Garland should still read the book, as the two have multiple noticeable differences. Another reviewer, who had originally read the book as a child, wrote, "This adult reading made me appreciate the story for its worth. The creativity, the valuable lessons the story teaches us about friendship, courage, and believing in oneself are admirable."

Taurus people traditionally have a deep appreciation for money (the more the better!) and high aesthetics. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald will tap into this zodiac's pursuit for luxury eye candy, as it introduces us to the glamorous life of Jay Gatsby. The super rich playboy-esque character is living the high life in the roaring 1920s (the book was released in 1925) and is a regular at the era's biggest parties. He can also often be found flirting (which Taurus people are famously great at) with the enchanting Daisy Buchanan. The novel has a 3.93 average rating on Goodreads and almost 135,000 reviews at the time of writing, so it's sure to entice Taurus readers into an era of decadence and frivolous luxury. "The Great Gatsby" has also been referenced in multiple Taylor Swift lyrics, making it an extra relevant read for Taurus Swifties.

One 5-star review touched upon how the message of the book (including the constant strive for perfection) is still relevant in modern society. "Poetic writing style, deeply layered, well- constructed characterization and remarkable conclusion. That's why it's always pleasure for me to read this book over and over again," one reviewer wrote. 

The Gemini zodiac is ruled by the concept of celestial twins and duality, so those who fall under this sign are sure to relate to the classic tale of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson. The dark story delves into the concept of good and evil and how the two can potentially co-exist, sometimes as separate sides of a single entity. Dr. Jekyll is a mild mannered, unassuming man — until he finds himself intwined with Mr. Hyde, an evil side that wants full control of his body and to do things he would never dream of. The concept is sure to pique the interest of this air sign, as Geminis are notoriously inquisitive people.

With a score of 3.8 on Goodreads and more than 30,600 reviews at the time of writing, it's no surprise this 1886 novel is widely considered an all-time classic of the horror/sci-fi genre. "There's a reason this novella has stood the test of time – it is creepy and interesting as hell," one reviewer wrote on Goodreads. "Hyde was described perfectly throughout and his rampaging was done very tactfully. There was mention of violence, but nothing strongly detailed, which also fared well here. This book is a considered a horror classic for a damn good reason," another wrote.

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll has earned its place as an all-time classic thanks to incredibly imaginative telling of the titular Alice's fall into a mysterious other world. For a water sign like Cancer, known for being highly imaginative, the book couldn't be more perfect.

In Wonderland, Alice encounters the zany White Rabbit and Mad Hatter, the ruthless Queen of Hearts, and, of course, the mischievous Cheshire Cat, who challenge her beliefs. Cancers are turned off by those who let logic and rationality rule their lives as they're very emotional beings with a tendency to change their mood on a dime. That will come very much in handy when venturing into Wonderland — where nothing is as it seems.

With more than 22,100 ratings on Goodreads and a 3.99 average rating at the time of writing, the 1865 book has been widely praised by reviewers for its creative storytelling and detailed descriptions of Wonderland. "I have never picked this up without feeling instantly submersed in Wonderland. And it's really my favorite place to be. It's hard to feel unhappy when you're in the greatest setting ever created," one reviewer stated. "From start to finish, it's a wild ride through pure nonsense," another 5-star review stated of the book that's sure to capture the optimistic Cancer's attention.

Leo's notoriously love the good life and all it has to offer, so they're sure to relate to notorious heiress Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell. As the wealthy daughter of a plantation owner, she's living the high life, or, in the words of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta"'s Kenya Moore, she's "Gone With the Wind Fabulous." However, O'Hara soon realizes there are hardships on the horizon when when the civil war takes hold and she's forced to show just how brave she can be — a trait the confident fire sign Leo also embodies.

"The characters in the book are so vivid that like or dislike you cannot get them out of your head. There are no more vibrant characters in the history of literature that Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. There is a reason this book is a classic," one Goodreads reviewer wrote of the novel, which is one of Lena Dunham's favorite books. Others were equally enthralled by the controversial protagonist, with one reader writing, "Scarlett's consciousness evolves. She turns from spoiled brat teen to fiery, materialistic b***h." The 1936 novel has an impressive average rating of 4.31 on Goodreads, where it has over 26,600 reviews.

Virgos have a long-standing reputation for having high standards and love to look their best. That sometimes means those who fall under this zodiac sign rely a lot on how they look, which come across as vain to those who don't truly know them. But "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" by F. Scott Fitzgerald tells an important tale about the superficiality of aging. Protagonist Benjamin Button ages backwards, which means he essentially lives life the opposite way to everyone else. Amid the oddity of his life and his constantly de-aging looks, he learns an important lesson about what really matters — is it what's on the outside or the inside?

The classic novel, which became a movie starring Brad Pitt in 2008, was first published in 1922 (just mere years before Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby") and has amassed a 3.57 average Goodreads rating and over 7,200 reviews. "'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,' as a slightly melancholic and in its absurdity somewhat humorous, surreal tale on time and (non)conformism, could in a sense be read as a satirical allegory on ageism avant la lettre," one astute reviewer wrote of the classic fiction story. Another noted, "Age plays a big part in our identity. We all change as we get older, but maybe the message of this story is the popular saying that 'You are as young as you feel.'"

In the gothic classic "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier, protagonist Rebecca embarks on a whirlwind romance with the well-to-do Maxim de Winter. All seems to be going well at first. He moves her into his home and promises her the world. But unfortunately, Maxim's late wife isn't happy about the relationship and, from beyond the grave, she's ready to do whatever she can to drive the new lovers apart. Libras put romance first in life and will be sucked into Rebecca and Maxim's all-encompassing love story. Yet, Maxim's late wife's aversion to her husband's new romance may force romance obsessed Libras to think twice about what love really means.

"Some books are well deserved to be known as classics! This book truly deserves to be read several times because of its layered, well-crafted characters, slow high tension build, the ominous, breathtaking, gothic atmosphere of Manderley," one 5-star Goodreads review read. Others also praised how du Maurier slowly built tension in the 1938 novel and touched on how the author blended romance, mystery, and thriller themes. On Goodreads, the book has over 53,000 reviews at the time of writing and a 4.25 average rating. It's also one of Taylor Swift's favorite books.

"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy will tap into the Scorpio's deeply emotional side. The Russian novel is about Napoleon's invasion of the country in the 1800s, and how three people — Pierre Bezukhov, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, and Natasha Rostov — react to the brutal war he unleashes. Scorpios are famous for their power hungry nature, so they may understand that desire for control. At the same time, they'll also learn an important lesson about being led by ego and the effect in can have on those around them. It's a detailed story of people and personal strife, offering the kind of depth this water sign will appreciate.

The classic piece of historical fiction, which is featured on Nicole Kidman's emotional reading list, has over 21,300 reviews on Goodreads at the time of writing and an average user score of 4.17. "One of the great glories of reading 'War and Peace' is to encounter, in a novel, characters struggling with serious philosophical issues–not as airy abstractions but rather in terms of how they ought to live," one reviewer astutely noted.

For Sagittarians, life is all about adventure, and "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien (also known as "The Hobbit, or There and Back Again") is the perfect classic novel to quench that thirst. The book, which is a prequel to the equally iconic "The Lord of the Rings" series, introduces us to hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. This hobbit loves his home and has no desire to leave — but he's instructed by a notorious wizard named Gandalf to battle a dragon for an extremely previous ring. Sagittarians will no doubt relate to the protagonist's growth, as he gains more confidence on each step of his iconic adventure while traveling across Middle-earth. He starts to learn that independence, which Sagittarians love, maybe isn't so bad.

"'The Hobbit' is at one level simply a charming adventure story, perhaps one of the most charming and most adventurous ever told," a Goodreads reviewer stated of the novel first published in 1937. "In literature, there is nothing quite like 'The Hobbit' in its simplicity and beauty and its symbolic voyage," another wrote in their 5-star review. The classic book has over 91,400 Goodreads reviews at the time of writing and an average score of 4.3.

"The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood is ideal for Capricorns because it will tap into their innate desire to be doers, not followers. The earth sign often has deep visions for how the world should be and they're not afraid to work hard to make it happen. That's very much in keeping with the book's protagonist, Offred. She's a handmaid oppressed in Gilead, where women are abused and only considered useful for producing children. However, Offred is determined to escape the regime and stand up against the system.

The book, which became a hugely popular TV series, has a 4.15 rating on Goodreads at the time of writing and over 127,100 reviews. "I've been moved by books in the past, many times, but I've never before read a book that has emotionally drained me to such a degree. This is frightening and powerful," one review stated. Others noted how timely the classic book still is in modern times (it's one of multiple books from 1985 that are still relevant today) due to its extremist and misogynistic themes. Another reviewer wrote, "It is certainly the most explicitly feminist dystopian book I have ever read. It was thought-provoking cover to cover."

Aquarians are among the zodiac signs most likely to become activists. They're all about fighting for social justice, taking part in peaceful protests, and speaking up for what they believe. As such, Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" is sure to ignite that passion. The novel focuses on Celie, who is separated from her sister as a child and pours her heart out in letters. In addition to its focus on family, the book dives into Celie's difficult experiences of racism and sexual abuse, as well as the plights of those around her as they push through adversity to thrive in a time and place where injustice is rife and widely accepted.

The 1982 book, which was adapted into a movie starring Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg, was widely praised by Goodreads users for its portrayal of love, redemption, and its inclusion of strong female characters. But it's not the easiest read, which will likely serve as activism fuel for determined Aquarians. "I was in terror thinking about the abuse and the conditions these women had to live with. It's hopeful and beautiful. But I felt the pain so real and deep," a reviewer stated. On Goodreads, the classic story (the first of three books in "The Color Purple" collection) has a 4.28 score and more than 32,500 reviews.

Piscean people make no secret of their deeply empathetic and compassionate sides and their love of artistic flair. That makes Emily Brontë's emotional "Wuthering Heights" the Pisces' ultimate classic novel as one of the most romantic zodiac signs. The dark love story between Heathcliffe and Catherine Earnshaw takes center stage, but this is no straight-forward, happy love story. Catherine finds herself torn between Heathcliffe and the more well to do Edgar Linton, and she chooses the latter. Heathcliff grows increasingly jealous of their blossoming love story and vows to make the lives of their descendants miserable. This water sign will become wrapped up in the intensely emotional, gothic tale, first published in 1847. It's proven so popular, "Wuthering Heights" has been reimagined in multiple other books.

"The novel is a profoundly haunting experience of a book," one reviewer wrote of the book, which has over 119,300 Goodreads reviews and a 3.89 average rating at the time of writing. "5 tormenting and passionate stars for a reading experience like no other, because never have I read a book that altered my emotions so many times in one book. My feelings moved in waves between compassion and despair, admiration and loathing, pity but always regret," another wrote. Others praised the way the literary classic doesn't shy away from dark, real themes.

When crafting this list, we researched numerous astrology websites for the most notable traits about each zodiac sign to get an idea of the characters, plots, and themes that would resonate most with them. From there, we looked to lists of classic novels.

To make our list, each selection also had to be labeled a classic by Goodreads and included onits classics bookshelf. We only picked books that were truly popular with readers, which means we only considered novels with a Goodreads rating of 3.5 or more with at least 5,000 reviews at the time of writing. We then read through numerous summaries and reader reviews to determine if they were likely to be a good match for that sun sign. Each pick also needed to relate at least one personality trait commonly associated with the zodiac sign it was chosen for and no book could be selected twice.