Top 10 Witchy Books for Halloween! Must-Read Novels About Witches, Magic and Spooky Adventures
From magical realism to heartwarming tales, these 10 witch books are perfect for Halloween reading
Halloween is almost here, and that means it’s time for ghosts, supernatural creatures and, of course, witches. Perhaps the most famous written work about witches is Arthur Miller’s 1953 play, The Crucible—a fictional account of the famed Salem Witch Trials—but there are plenty more witchy books out there. To help you choose one, we’ve rounded up our 10 favorites.
From discovering new powers to uncovering long-hidden secrets and escaping what destiny has planned, there’s something that will entrance everyone. Keep scrolling for all our witchy book recommendations. Happy Reading!
‘The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches’ by Sangu Mandanna
As one of a small and secret society of witches in Britain, Mika Moon is used to not fitting in and of hiding who she is—except on YouTube, where she posts videos of herself “pretending” to be a witch while thinking no one could ever take her seriously. But one day, when a message arrives asking her to travel to the mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic, Mika is faced with the scariest possibility of all: finally finding a place to belong…and maybe even getting a chance at true love too.
What readers are saying: “This read is like herbal tea (with a drop of honey!) for the soul. Sweet, funny, sexy, occasionally profane, it is the perfect book for those who feel they could use a little more magic in their lives. I highly recommend it.”
‘The Rules of Magic’ by Alice Hoffman
In this prequel to Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic, Susanna wants to keep her family’s history as witches from her three children. To do this, they must follow her rules, the most important: Never fall in love. But when the siblings visit their aunt in Massachusetts, they discover old secrets—and who they really are.
What readers are saying: “Truly obsessed. The prose, the pacing, everything is wonderfully dynamic and beautiful. I will forever wish I had been born an Owens, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.”
‘Rewitched’ by Lucy Jane Wood
Picturesque fall settings, a cast of memorable characters and magical adventure meld in this bewitching novel. Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t felt her witchy powers in a while, so she’s a little concerned when she receives a summons from her coven for a trial that will test her magical abilities. If she can’t prove herself, she’ll lose her abilities forever. She must rely on a circle of friends—and one handsome watchman—to hone her skills.
What readers are saying: “I devoured this book! I have read a lot of witch books, but Rewitched is really something special. I can’t believe this is a debut. I can’t wait to read more from this author!”
‘Cackle’ by Rachel Harrison
Annie is good at playing it safe. But after her longtime boyfriend dumps her, she decides it’s time for a fresh start. So she accepts a teaching position in a small village in upstate New York. Once there, she falls in love with her apartment and is charmed by the welcoming people she meets…until she encounters Sophie. Sophie is charming and magnetic and Annie can’t help but get swept up into her orbit. However, the rest of the town is a little wary of Sophie due to her ageless appearance, her eerie mansion in the middle of the woods and how she seems to hold a certain power. But that doesn’t mean she’s a witch, does it?
What readers are saying: “I really loved this one. I wanted to find a little bit creepy, but not too scary read for Halloween, and this was the perfect choice. I loved the sly humor throughout, and the witty banter between characters reminds me a bit of “Gilmore Girls.” Overall feel-good read that will leave you feeling empowered and possibly inspired to make friends with a spider.”
‘The Crescent Moon Tearoom’ by Stacy Sivinski
This debut novel has it all: family secrets, the bond of sisterhood and an unexpected twist of fate. The story follows Anne, Beatrix and Violet Quigley after the untimely death of their parents. Together, the sisters have made a business of threading together the stories of tea leaves left at the bottom of customers’ cups. Suddenly, the Council of Witches comes to them with news that the City Diviner has lost her powers, and the sisters find themselves being pulled in different directions. And it seems that an old family curse trying to separate them is in effect. As they battle time to rewrite their futures and save the other witches, the sisters have no choice but to bargain with fate.
What readers are saying: “This turned out to be such a cozy read. It feels like a comforting hug that leaves you with a sense of calmness. It’s a slower story but it’s even-paced (which I think further adds to the coziness). This is Sivinski’s debut book and I think she did a lovely job with it.”
‘Circe’ by Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller stuns in this beautiful retelling of the witch Goddess Circe from The Odyssey. The story follows Circe’s life from the halls of her father, the Sun God Helios, to her exile on the island of Aiaia, as she learns the meanings of love, loss and redemption.
What readers are saying: “I enjoyed every moment of this book. I didn’t know much about Circe before reading, but I couldn’t get enough of her story. This is an absolutely fantastic dive into Greek mythology.”
‘In the Shadow Garden’ by Liz Parker
Yarrow, Kentucky, is a magical place, and it’s where the three Haywood family witches reside. They’re known for their shadow garden, and their magic can cure any heartache. The produce in the shadow garden also brings something special to the local bourbon distillery. And once a year a shot of bourbon can make your worst memory disappear. But the Haywoods won’t forget that the Bonners’ betrayed them. Twenty years ago, everything went wrong, and the town forgot an entire summer until secrets came to light, and the two families must forgive each other or remain stuck in the past.
What readers are saying: “This was the perfect book to start off fall with. It was a bit witchy and definitely mysterious, but it dealt with the harvest and plants. I loved the multiple perspectives from both families and I thought it really brought the story together nicely.”
‘Weyward’ by Emilia Hart
This spellbinding story follows three women—Kate, Altha and Violet—over five different generations as they try to escape their fate. In 2019, Kate flees London and heads to Weyward Cottage, a place she inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. But when she arrives, she thinks there’s more to her aunt than she suspected. The other timelines follow Altha, a girl who has a deep understanding of magic, who is awaiting trial for murder in the year 1619, and Violet, in 1942, who is stuck following society’s expectations. Full of power and resilience, these women use their connection to the natural world to create the life they want instead of what was laid out for them.
What readers are saying: “This book was just lovely to read. It reminded me of Practical Magic. Generational love and acceptance. Just really heartwarming.”
‘Small Town Big Magic’ by Hazel Beck
Emerson Wilde, a bookstore owner in St. Cyprian, Missouri, is in for quite the surprise when she discovers that her powers as a witch have come back after many years. But she doesn’t have long to refine her magical skills before the town she loves is put in great peril, thanks to an awakened evil.
What readers are saying: “What Ms. Beck did in this book amazes me: She made her version of magic and witches seem like the real thing that’s been hidden under the surface of our lives all this time. I love the humor in this book, love the main character and all the cast, including the familiars. It’s a little slower-paced than book two in the series, but SO worth it. Just go with the humor and snuggle in for a great read.”
‘The Shape of Mercy’ by Susan Meissner
Lauren Durough wants a life of her own away from privilege and family expectations. So she goes to community college and takes a part-time job working for librarian Abigail Boyles. When Abigail asks Lauren to transcribe the journal entries of her ancestor, Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem Witch trials, Lauren can’t help but be drawn into the stories of the past. Lauren soon realizes that Mercy’s story extends into Abigail’s embittered shell and understands that the past doesn’t always stay in the past.
What readers are saying: “This book was great. I actually do not know much about the Salem Witch Trials but the book made me want to do research. I loved how the story switched between present day and the 1600s via a diary. I was struck by how well the author weaved the struggles of the modern and historical characters together and made the main character see how, even though it is years later, we all have similar life experiences. I could not put this book down.”
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