Chinese New Year begins on February 17! There are 12 Chinese zodiac animals used to represent years. These zodiac signs are believed by some to determine a person's fortune for the coming year, marriage compatibility, career fit, and more. 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, dedicated to a sign known for its energetic and dynamic nature.
Looking for a fiction book that matches your Chinese Zodiac sign? Check out some suggestions below! Note: Zodiac sign descriptions are from chinesenewyear.net. Zodiac signs repeat every 12 years.
Year of the Horse
Recent years: 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Upcoming: 2038
A Horse is confident, agreeable, and responsible, and adores physical and mental exertion. But they tend to dislike being ordered around by others, and, although they are generally decisive, they can also easily be swayed.
Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes
When Nisha Cantor's glamorous life is abruptly upended by her wealthy husband's announcement of divorce, she is desperate to hold onto her status. Meanwhile, Sam Kemp, struggling to keep her family afloat, accidentally grabs Nisha's gym bag. On a whim, Sam tries on the red Christian Louboutin crocodile shoes inside. The resulting surge of confidence inspires her to realize that she, not just her circumstances, needs a drastic change.
Year of the Goat
Recent years: 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Upcoming: 2027
Goats are gentle and mild, sensitive and content, with a thirst for knowledge. Often very dependent, goats can be easily hurt by others' actions and are sometimes hard to please. They need to learn to guard their own interests and stand their ground as they mature.
This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno
Thiago wasn't interested in Itza, the "world's most advanced smart speaker," when his wife, Vera, brought it home. Still, he humored the idea as a distraction for her from the strange occurrences in their condo: cold spots, scratching sounds, and unsettling music at odd hours. Everything was strange, but his life was truly shattered when Vera was mysteriously killed. The only recourse for his grief and rage was to abandon the foreboding condo (where the Itza speaker now seemed to be talking to someone in the living room at night) and retreat to a secluded cabin in Colorado. Yet, even there, he couldn't escape the evil hunting him, an entity determined to use him as a gateway into this world.
Year of the Monkey
Recent years: 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Upcoming: 2028
Monkeys are intelligent and funny, especially in analyzing and solving complicated problems. Monkeys' sharp intellect can also make them vain and condescending, and many perceive their tricks as hypocritical and arrogant.
The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr
Orphaned at birth, twenty-something Clayton Stumper was left on the doorstep of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, a secluded home for eccentric enigmatologists who dedicate their lives to studying, creating, and analyzing puzzles, enigmas, and word games. With the passing of Pippa Allsbrook, the main maternal figure in his life, Clayton finds himself one of the last remaining residents of the intelligent institution. Before her death, however, Pippa left him one final puzzle. This last enigma promises to reveal the mystery of his parentage and prepare him for the world outside the Fellowship, setting Clayton on a quest for truth that will change him and the institution forever.
Year of the Rooster
Recent years: 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Upcoming: 2029
Roosters are serious organizers, characterized by the ability to quickly come to the right decisions. They’re very outspoken, especially against any injustice or amoral behavior they perceive, and others may not agree with their strong opinions.
Begin Again by Helly Acton
Frankie McKenzie thought she had the life she wanted, but an undeniable feeling—that something or someone is missing—leaves her unfulfilled. Before she can figure out what she needs, a freak accident on a disastrous first date takes her life. However, Frankie is given a second chance. She is allowed to revisit critical moments from her past to explore whether different choices could ultimately lead her to the life she truly desires. If she could begin again, what would Frankie change?
Year of the Dog
Recent years: 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018,
Upcoming: 2030
Dogs have a keen sense of justice, valor, and loyalty. They’re courageous and kind-hearted, but can often experience emotional turbulence and impulsiveness, which creates setbacks.
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
A chilling true-crime psychological suspense thriller unfolds after a murderer brutally attacks a Florida sorority house on a Saturday night in 1978. Sorority president Pamela Schumacher and the other survivors are forever marked by the horrific event. Meanwhile, across the country, Tina Cannon is convinced her missing friend was a victim of the media's "All-American Sex Killer" and fears he is about to strike again. Pamela and Tina ultimately join forces, determined to find the killer and secure justice for the victims.
Year of the Pig
Recent years: 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019,
Upcoming: 2031
Pigs are cool-headed and capable in any situation, detail-oriented, and intelligent. They can be naive in nature and can easily become self-indulgent.
The Librarianist by Patrick DeWitt
In Portland, Oregon, retired librarian Bob Comet lives a quiet, unassuming life. His routine is interrupted one morning when he meets an elderly woman who has wandered away from her nearby senior living facility. Hoping to find meaning in his post-retirement life, Bob begins volunteering at the center. Through his new routine, the novel gradually unveils Bob's eventful past. Readers discover his life story, which includes running away from an unhappy childhood during the close of World War II, experiencing a great love that was tragically lost, finding purpose and pride in his career as a librarian, and a host of other experiences punctuated by encounters with unusual people. This novel ultimately celebrates the extraordinary depth found within a seemingly ordinary existence.
Year of the Rat
Recent years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Upcoming: 2032
Rats are cheerful, intuitive, versatile, and quick-witted in any given situation. But they can be prone to extreme paranoia and can be timid in high-stakes situations.
Beware the Woman by Megan Abbott
Newlywed Jacy is expecting a baby and excited for a road trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where she and her husband, Jed, will stay at the cozy cottage of Jed's father, Dr. Ash. Jacy is immediately charmed by the warm welcome and the lush, beautiful landscape. However, the vacation is suddenly interrupted by a health scare for Jacy, and all plans are put on hold while everyone focuses on her well-being. As Jacy starts to feel increasingly isolated in the cottage, she begins to uncover secrets about Jed's long-deceased mother and a complicated family history that seems to mirror her present situation. Is she succumbing to cabin fever and paranoia, or is Jacy's deepest fear about to become a frightening reality?
Year of the Ox
Recent years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Upcoming: 2033
Ox is one of the least flashy and least approving of the zodiacs, and their practical mindset is both their greatest asset and their greatest weakness.
Someone Knows by Lisa Scottoline
Allie is returning home for the funeral of a childhood friend, a journey compounded by overwhelming dread. Her homecoming forces her to confront the two other people who share a devastating, two-decade-old secret with her. This dark secret has consumed her, pushing away everyone in her life and bringing her to the brink of losing everything. Determined to understand why that fateful night went so terribly wrong, Allie seeks a reckoning. As she digs for the truth, she uncovers a shocking revelation that completely changes everything.
Year of the Tiger
Recent years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Upcoming: 2034
Tigers are brash, passionate, and confident leaders with a keen sense of adventure. They are chivalrous and upright and will keep their word at all costs, making them trustworthy despite their apparently dominating charisma.
America Fantastica by Tim O'Brien
Boyd Halverson, a disgraced star journalist now working as a retail manager, has devolved into an infamous online troll. Seeking revenge on the man who ruined his life, Boyd kidnaps Angie Bing and sets off on a bizarre journey. Hot on their heels are a host of dangerous and colorful characters, including hitmen, jealous lovers, ex-convicts, and billionaires. Curiously, the police are nowhere to be found.
Year of the Rabbit
Recent years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Upcoming: 2035
Rabbits are open and optimistic, sensitive and imaginative, and enjoy the comfortable side of life. They’re not the bravest of the zodiac signs and may become neurotic if they choose to dwell on their emotions.
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by C.N. Holmberg
In the mid-1800s, Rhode Island writer Merritt Fernsby is unexpectedly named heir to Whimbrel House, a remote estate left by his estranged family. Though he's ready to settle in, Merritt soon discovers he has no choice in the matter: Whimbrel House literally won't let him leave. Enter Hulda Larkin, an operative from the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms, who understands structures like Whimbrel House. Hulda insists that she must move in with Merritt, advising him that befriending the house is their best option. Armed with magical tools and a newly trained staff, Hulda's investigation quickly grows complicated due to the house's dark secrets.
Year of the Dragon
Recent years: 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Upcoming: 2036
Dragons are powerful, endlessly energetic and full of vitality, goal-oriented yet idealistic and romantic, and visionary leaders. But, they can also be domineering, self-centered, and sometimes gullible.
The Mad Wife by Megan Church
Lulu Mayfield has meticulously crafted herself into the quintessential 1950s housewife. Yet, following the birth of her daughter, her perfect façade starts to crumble. Seeking guidance on the complexities of motherhood, Lulu confides in her new neighbor, Bitsy. Bitsy appears to be the epitome of domestic bliss, but Lulu senses a dark secret hidden beneath her cheerful exterior. As Lulu's own mental health spirals and her fixation on Bitsy deepens, long-suppressed memories resurface. She is forced to confront the chilling possibility of embracing a destiny far darker than she ever imagined.
Year of the Snake
Recent years: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Upcoming: 2037
Snakes are sensitive, effective, and adaptable. Positive personality traits are often complemented by considerable intelligence. However, Snakes can be emotionally detached, which can manifest as coldness or selfishness.
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
During the height of the Industrial Revolution, Lenore's marriage to the steel tycoon Henry has become strained. When Henry's business takes them from the vibrant life of London to the isolated British moors to host a lavish hunting party, a fateful carriage accident introduces the mysterious Carmilla into both their lives. Carmilla is strikingly weak and pale during the day, yet she is beautiful and vibrant at night, awakening a profound and inexplicable longing within Lenore. Soon after Carmilla's arrival, the young women of the village begin to fall ill, consumed by a desperate, vampiric need. As the day of the hunt approaches, Lenore finds herself questioning the role of devoted wife she has played for so long. Torn between her lingering affection for Henry and a powerful, lustful craving for Carmilla, she is about to uncover a terrible truth: something evil has awakened, and it is very hungry.
