5 Books ‘Practical Magic’ Author Alice Hoffman Says Are Worth Reading
The bestselling novelist names her favorite novels
Key Takeaways
- Alice Hoffman calls ‘The Midnight Library’ a "huge pick-me-up" for hard times.
- Leigh Bardugo's ‘Ninth House 'follows Alex Stern through Yale's secret societies.
- Alice Hoffman loves ‘Small Great Things’ by bestselling author Jodi Picoult.
Ever wonder what a woman who writes about witches, curses and generations of magic likes to curl up with herself? As it turns out, Alice Hoffman is just as big a book lover as the millions of fans who’ve made Practical Magic a classic. Over the years, the author has shared some of her favorite reads, and now that Practical Magic 2 has audiences everywhere craving more, there’s no better time to see what’s on Alice Hoffman’s own bookshelf. Keep scrolling for her five picks.
‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig
If you love “What if” tales, don’t miss this Good Morning America book club selection. When Nora Seed finds herself in a library filled with books that each contain a different version of her life, she is shocked to learn that she can actually go inside each one and discover what her life could have been if she made a different decision at different points throughout her life. But, as she begins to explore what her life could have looked like, she begins to wonder if the best story of all is the one she’s already living.
What Alice says: “A fable about the magic of the choices we make and the lives we might have lived. This brave novel about death is filled with life; it’s a feel-good book with a heart about a woman who regrets her choices, until magic allows her to see what might have been. It’s a huge pick-me-up in these difficult times.”
What other readers are saying: “The Midnight Library is one of those rare books that doesn’t just tell a story—it shifts something inside you. I went into it expecting a reflective, emotional read, but I wasn’t prepared for how deeply it would make me look at my own life. This book didn’t break me; it opened me. It reminded me that possibilities still exist, even in the life I’m already living. And I’m walking away from it with a kinder view of myself and the choices I get to make going forward.”
‘Circe’ by Madeline Miller
Greek mythology lovers will adore this tale centered around Circe, the witch from Homer’s The Odyssey. From growing up in her father Helios, the Sun God’s castle, to life on the island of Aiaia, she endures it all and along the way learns what it really means to love and what it means to lose.
What Alice says: “A brilliant retelling of a Greek myth, this book brings a witch to life and turns an ancient story into a page-turner. This is ‘once upon a time’ at its beautiful best. If you’re not a witch already, you’ll want to be one.”
What other readers are saying: “Madeline Miller’s novel, Circe, is in no way dry or boring. It takes the old myths that we are familiar with and weaves them together into a narrative that is captivating, engaging, and fresh. Reading Circe is akin to sitting in a great hall after a meal while a poet recites tales of love, passion, loss and magic. The lights are dim and a crackling fire is burning on the hearth.”
‘Ninth House’ by Leigh Bardugo
From Leigh Bardugo, the bestselling author of Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows, comes a dark academia tale that is perfect for fall. Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the newest member of Yale University’s freshman class, but after a life of tragedy and hardships, she can’t help but wonder if it’s a trap. Then, when she gets tasked with monitoring Yale’s secret societies, her suspicions are heightened—especially after she learns what one of the country’s most prestigious universities is really hiding.
What Alice says: “In this novel about Yale’s secret societies, New Haven becomes pure magic. Dark, academic magic. Bardugo employs one of my favorite fairytale themes: a girl who has to save herself from real life and from the ghosts that haunt her.”
What other readers are saying: “I picked up Ninth House because of my lifelong interest in secret societies, but I finished it with a newfound appreciation for dark academia. I’m incredibly glad I gave this book a chance, and it has earned a permanent place on my shelf. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy secret societies, gothic mysteries and stories where the shadows hide more than they first reveal.”
‘The Island Child’ by Molly Aitken
Set on the Irish island Inis, this novel follows Oona, who grew up on the island but is determined to leave it. The other girls on the island don’t feel the same way, making Oona’s departure from their tiny little land even more shocking. Twenty years later, after her daughter goes missing, Oona is forced to face her past, but nothing will prepare her for what she discovers.
What Alice says: “This gorgeous and enchanting debut novel is a fairy tale about loss and love that combines Irish folklore and modern life. Motherhood is at the heart of the book, which is set in a world of seas and storms, and the prose is a force to be reckoned with.”
What other readers are saying: “This debut novel is absolutely captivating. I felt so connected to the characters throughout and felt both the positive energy and the deep sorrow, trauma and heartache. Despite being haunting in aspects, it teaches us the importance of finding our own identity and following our fate to truly heal the broken, emotionless bonds of the past.”
‘Small Great Things’ by Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult is best known for delivering heartbreaking tales filled with mystery, loss and love, and this novel is no exception. When Ruth Jefferson begins a routine checkup on a newborn, she is shocked to learn that she has been reassigned to another patient shortly after. The reason? The baby’s parents are white supremacists and they don’t want Ruth, who is Black , caring for their daughter. When the baby goes into cardiac distress, Ruth struggles to decide whether she should perform CPR or not. In the aftermath, she is charged with second-degree murder.
What Alice says: “With incredible empathy, intelligence and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion—and doesn’t offer easy answers. This is also an important book about race in America. I think it’s her best book yet.”
What other readers are saying: “Jodi Picoult is by far my most favourite author! She has done it again! The subject matter at times was hard to read as the story being told was very heartbreaking and disturbing but it was executed perfectly. This author always makes me think and I have always learned something new from reading one of her novels.”
Ready for more? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
