August 23-September 22 is Virgo season, friends. It’s a time of change as summer moves into fall and many of us are settling back into the routine of school or heading off to college. Virgos welcome this kind of challenge, though. We’re grounded, yet adaptable, and sometimes a major life event is just the push we need to inspire personal growth and transformation. Whatever your goals this month, transition your summer reading right into fall with these nine perfect book recommendations for Virgos.
The Perfect Book Recs for Virgos
1. She’s the Worst by Lauren Spieller
This contemporary YA follows sisters April and Jenn as they take a whirlwind nostalgia tour around LA before Jenn starts her freshman year at a local college. Virgos are hard workers, and Jenn (the responsible older sister) has been putting in the hours at their parents’ antique store for years. But now she’s ready for something new—and hiding a big secret about her college plans that will have ripple effects in her family. Because Virgo borders two seasons, it is a sign accustomed to change, but that doesn’t necessarily make it easy. Both April and Jenn must figure out how to manage the shifting dynamics in their family before it all falls apart.
2. Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens by Tanya Boteju
Nima Kumara-Clark is a shy, awkward teen who’s crushing on her (unfortunately straight) female friend. Then at a local festival, she stumbles into the world of drag, where she befriends a host of colorful characters, including the magical queen Deidre and the punk king Winnow, a promising new love interest. Fellow shy Virgos will be inspired by Nima’s personal glow-up as she goes from watching on the sidelines to taking center stage.
3. Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Friends Emily and Sloane had planned out an epic summer, only for Sloane to disappear without explanation right before it starts. Like most Virgos, Emily is not a natural risk-taker, and it was always Sloane who brought her out of her shell. Will Emily play it safe all summer riding solo? Then Sloane sends Emily a list of 13 ridiculous tasks ranging from “apple picking at night” to “kiss a stranger,” all designed to take her out of her comfort zone. Whether you’re looking to let lose a little this month, Virgo, or just want to live vicariously through someone else’s silly risk-taking, Since You’ve Been Gone is the perfect read.
4. Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
Closeted bisexual Tanner can’t resist the challenge when his friend dares him to take a writing class senior year that requires drafting an entire book—how hard could it be? Like Tanner, Virgos are industrious, driven to achieve whatever goals they set for themselves. But even though Tanner has the perfect plan—breeze through this final semester and leave for an out-of-state college where he can safely come out—life throws him for a loop when he starts to fall for his peer writing mentor, Sebastian.
5. Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian
Seventeen-year-old Amelia has been working at Meade Creamery for the past three summers when she gets promoted to “Head Girl.” When the ice cream stand’s founder Molly Meade dies suddenly, though, her grandnephew Grady shows up to take over. But Grady needs Amelia—and the rest of the Meade Creamery girls—more than he realizes. Intelligent, loyal, and eager to help others, Amelia embodies several key qualities of a Virgo as she helps lead Meade Creamery through a season of change.
6. Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell
Virgos are drawn to ritual and routine in their regular life, but that doesn’t mean they won’t love getting swept up in a high-adventure sci-fi story like Sky Without Stars. This epic interplanetary retelling of Les Miserables takes readers on a vicarious journey through a planet on the verge of revolution. Virgos will love the complex world-building, and book nerds of all star signs will especially appreciate the character Alouette, guardian of the planet’s only remaining library.
7. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
Dimple Shah and Rishi Patel are both aspiring web developers—and the perfect match, according to their parents. So when the two end up at the same summer tech program, the romance is inevitable, right? Though their personalities initially clash, these two characters each have some Virgo qualities. Dimple is hard-working and analytical, driven by her love of coding to pursue a career in tech. Rishi displays a Virgo’s loyalty in his dedication to his parents, happy to tap into the stability of their plan for his future. Will the two find common ground—and even romance—by the end of the summer?
8. Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Charlie is a shy, introverted kid with a tendency to observe life rather than participate in it. At the start of freshman year, he meets Sam and Patrick, two seniors who take him under their wing. This classic YA novel is perhaps the quintessential Virgo book, perfect for anyone navigating a new period of their life, experiencing big things for the first time, or just trying not to get whiplash from the emotional roller coaster that is high school.
9. SLAY by Brittney Morris
Kiera Johnson is a high school honors student, but none of her IRL friends know she’s also the developer who created SLAY, an online VR gaming space for Black gamers. Virgos are a detail-oriented bunch, so they’ll love nerding out about the intricacies of the SLAY world, from its design to the game play to the best SLAY cards. But SLAY the book is about much more than the game. It’s a powerful look at Black identity, code-switching, safe spaces, the concept of “reverse racism,” and toxic masculinity. These themes will give the analytical mind of a Virgo plenty to think about throughout the month.
