The Best Order to Read the ‘Practical Magic’ Books—Plus, How Each Ties to the Hit Movies
Dive into the Owens family saga with this guide to Alice Hoffman's enchanting book series
Key Takeaways
- Alice Hoffman published 'Practical Magic' in 1995, the movie following in 1998.
- She continued the series with her 2017 publication, 'The Rules of Magic.'
- Here, read about the different orders in which you can read this series.
With Practical Magic 2 having recently hit screens and spooky season officially upon us, many are looking to dive back into the stories of the Owens women—specifically those brought to life on page. Author Alice Hoffman published the first book in the Practical Magic series, the movie’s namesake, in 1995, and in 2017, she expanded on the story she first laid out when she released The Rules of Magic. In 2020, Magic Lessons took readers even further down the Owens family line and her 2021 publication, The Book of Magic, served as inspiration for the most recent release in the film collection.
Hoffman’s books weren’t released in chronological order. Practical Magic introduced Gillian and Sally, two women haunted by a curse placed on the women in their family, while The Rules of Magic took readers back in time to learn the origin stories of their great aunts, Jet and Franny, and their brother Vincent. Magic Lessons takes viewers to the start, unraveling the story of Maria Owens, who placed the original curse on the Owens women, which doomed any man they loved down the line. Lastly, The Book of Magic dives into Gillian and Sally’s dangerous journey to break the curse once and for all for the sake of Sally’s daughters.
‘Practical Magic’ reading order
According to Alice Hoffman’s official website, the order in which you can read her books is completely up to you. Going in the order in which they were published or the order in which the story takes place won’t affect the reading experience and is ultimately the reader’s decision. Here, we break it down by the year each book was published—and explain how each book ties to the movies.
1995: Dive into ’Practical Magic’
The first book Hoffman published in the series, Practical Magic, is what inspired the 1998 film of the same name starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Gillian and Sally Owens were raised by their eccentric aunts, their family having long been the talk of their Massachusetts town thanks to their witchy history—but in addition to the rumors that follow their family, so does a curse, which dooms any man they fall in love with. After some time apart, the duo reunite when tragedy strikes, proving that they’re stronger together in this charming tale of sisterhood.
2017: Go back in time with ‘The Rules of Magic’
The second book to be released in the series, The Rules of Magic, is a prequel to the first book and follows Gillian and Sally’s Aunts Jet and Franny, as well as their Uncle Vincent, in their youth. Set in the 60s, the trio step away from New York City and pay their Aunt Isabelle a visit in her quaint Massachusetts town—where they come to discover the magic that lives within them.
2020: Learn the origin story with ‘Magic Lessons’
In Magic Lessons, the third book in the series to be published, readers are introduced to Maria Owens, the woman who brought the curse upon the Owens family when the man she loves abandons her. Though Maria’s story isn’t the explicit focus of either of the films, it is woven into both installments.
2021: ‘The Book of Magic’ continues Gillian and Sally’s story
Practical Magic 2 was inspired by Alice Hoffman’s most recent publication in the series, The Book of Magic, and depicted three generations of Owens women teaming up and traveling to Europe, where Maria Owens first learned how to use her skills, when Sally’s daughter is affected by the curse.
Whichever order you choose to tackle these tales in, you’re sure to be in for a magical ride!
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