25 Enchanting Books About Witches That’ll Put a Spell on You
Updated: Jul. 24, 2024
You don't have to wait for fall to enjoy witchy fiction. These new and classic books about witches are great all year long.
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Enchanting books about witches
When I was growing up, I was terrified of witches and anything that evoked spooky autumnal feelings. I stopped trick-or-treating when I was in the third grade, and I refused to watch spooky movies in the fall—although I did watch Hocus Pocus every year … with my hands covering my eyes at the scariest parts. That all changed when I started reading books about witches. I’ve always been an avid reader, preferring to stick my nose in a book rather than play in a pile of orange-hued leaves. Reading offers so many benefits, and over the years, books have helped me understand the world better and feel more empathy toward others—even, it turns out, witches.
Reading books about witches in the fall has become a tradition of mine. Luckily, this is something of a trending topic, so it’s easy to find witchy women these days, whether they’re in a cozy romance novel filled with sweet, small-town magic, an atmospheric horror book about witches that are up to no good or a historical nonfiction book about the plight of women accused of witchcraft throughout history.
As fall approaches, I get more excited about pulling up a cozy chair, making a steaming mug of tea and curling up with my cat and a good book. If that sounds like your idea of fun too, you’re in luck. We scoured bestseller lists and reader reviews for witchy books that are highly rated, critically acclaimed, classics of the genre or new and worth your time. And to really personalize these recommendations, we asked authors, booksellers and Reader’s Digest editors for their must-reads.
So read on for our extensive list of the best books about witches. It offers something wonderfully wicked for everyone.
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Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
For fans of: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen and In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace
Author Alice Hoffman is known for her bestselling magical realism books, prime among them 1995’s Practical Magic. It made her the reigning queen of books about witches and is an ideal seasonal read—pick it up the minute summer temps start to cool.
The story follows two witchy sisters, Sally and Gillian Owens, both cursed to lose any man who loves them. Sally lives a normal life while suppressing her magic, while Gillian embraces her powers but finds herself in toxic relationships. Confronting their curse, they learn the significance of sisterhood and the power of love. A few years after the book’s release, the story hit the big screen with a Hollywood film adaptation that became a pop-culture phenomenon. And more than two decades after Practical Magic came out, Hoffman released a prequel novel, The Rules of Magic, which was followed by two more books in the series.
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
For fans of: Weyward by Emilia Hart and When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
This reimagining of history with a fantastical twist follows the three Eastwood sisters in 1893 New Salem. Reuniting after years apart, the sisters join the suffragette movement and begin fighting for their rights as witches and voting rights for all women. When they’re kicked out of the official movement, the girls band together and create a secret society, advocating for women’s rights in a world where magic has been forgotten and butting heads as conflict over witchcraft builds. A New York Times bestseller when it hit shelves in 2020, The Once and Future Witches is Hugo Award–winning author Alix E. Harrow’s spellbinding sophomore novel and a historical fiction fan’s dream. It’s an enchanting battle cry for all women, filled with magic and touching on real-world issues.
“If you love magic, history and feminist tales—not to mention witches—Harrow’s fantasy take on women’s suffrage is a must-read,” says Tracey Neithercott, Reader’s Digest Books Editor. “With careful historical details, strong-minded characters (including a trio of sisters I adored) and a thread of magic, Harrow will make you believe in her alternate history … and the magic of women today.”
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The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
For fans of: Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper and The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
“The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, a sweet story of found family, is one I recommend in the shop all the time,” says Stacy Whitman, an owner of the Curious Cat Bookshop in Winsted, Connecticut. “I love the coziness of the magic system, the low-stakes mystery and the way it leads from utter loneliness to full found-ness.”
Released in 2022, this cozy book about a (very) secret society of powerful (and irregular) witches was one of the best fiction books that I read last year. Mika Moon is a solitary witch living in modern-day Britain. She conceals her magic by maintaining a quiet life, except for the very secret society of witches that she belongs to. But when an unexpected message invites her to Nowhere House to mentor three young witches, her entire life turns upside down. As Mika becomes entwined with the unusual family living there, including the captivating librarian, Jamie, she starts to embrace the possibility of belonging.
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
For fans of: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson and Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
This YA bestseller is the perfect book about witches for anyone who enjoys the enemies-to-lovers trope. Published in 2024, Heartless Hunter follows Rune, an underground witch who must hide her identity as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who protects other witches from being executed. During the day, Rune spends her time pretending to be a clueless socialite who cares about only fashion and throwing beautiful parties. In an effort to protect her identity as the Moth, Rune begins dating Gideon Sharpe, a ruthless witch hunter who is relentlessly trying to uncover the true identity of the Crimson Moth. But what happens when the hunter and the hunted start to fall in love?
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
For fans of: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi and Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Sunny Nwazue has always felt like she doesn’t fit in. She was born in New York City, but she’s Nigerian; she has West African features, but she’s albino; she loves playing sports, but she can’t go out in the sun. Then Sunny discovers that she has latent magical powers and joins a quartet of magic students to learn and harness her abilities. The group must track down a dangerous criminal, but can they work together to overtake such powerful magic?
Nnedi Okorafor’s World Fantasy Award–winning book weaves magic and adventure into a lush world and has been praised by Neil Gaiman, Rick Riordan, John Green and Ursula K. Le Guin. Released in 2011, Akata Witch is the first title in The Nsibidi Scripts book series, and once you pick it up, you’ll want to devour the rest.
The Witches of Bone Hill by Ava Morgyn
For fans of: Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland and The Lost Witch by Paige Crutcher
This fantasy novel follows two sisters, Cordelia and Eustace Bone, who discover they are Nordic witches. After inheriting a Victorian mansion from their late aunt, the sisters must travel to a small town in Connecticut and sort through the estate. In the process, they uncover family secrets, face a mysterious enemy and must embrace their lineage to survive and heal. Released in 2023, The Witches of Bone Hill promises romance, suspense and self-discovery in a magical world featuring a quirky band of characters.
The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub
For fans of: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Cross a beloved classic novel with a bit of witchcraft, and you have the setup for Melinda Taub’s latest book. Released in 2023, this unique take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice reimagines the youngest Bennet sister as a free-spirited and enchanted witch.
“The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub is a complete and unexpected joy for anyone who’s familiar with Pride and Prejudice. The entire story is there, but from a deeply unexpected perspective that still stays true to the original characters,” says KJ Dell’Antonia, the bestselling author of Playing the Witch Card and The Chicken Sisters. “If Lydia Bennet were a witch, she would have been just as flighty and scatterbrained but a whole lot more dangerous to herself and others. She also, it turns out, makes a very funny narrator. I enjoyed every page, and the ending was satisfying enough to rival P&P itself.”
Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer
For fans of: The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer and The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan
“Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer has heartbreak, romance, quirky characters and an amazing witchy lawyer turned ceramicist,” says Lynda Cohen Loigman, the author of The Matchmaker’s Gift and the forthcoming The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern.
Releasing in August 2024, Magical Meet Cute sees Faye Kaplan deciding to craft a golem (who may look exactly like her ideal Prince Charming) out of clay. The next day, a handsome stranger with amnesia shows up—coincidence or her golem come to life? What ensues is a laugh-out-loud, swoon-worthy romance that feels fresh. “This story draws on Jewish folklore and mysticism to create an entirely original love story,” says Cohen Loigman. “[It’s] recommended for anyone who loves a good witchy romance and for those interested in reading stories with Jewish representation.”
Playing the Witch Card by KJ Dell’Antonia
For fans of: The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell-Antonia and The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall
Playing the Witch Card is billed as Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, which was enough to sell me! But if that’s not enough to hook you, know that this 2023 contemporary fantasy romance book continues the fine tradition of focusing on magical female-driven families.
Flair Hardwicke inherits her grandmother’s bakery in Kansas, and while she knows magic is real, after she finally leaves her cheating husband, she is convinced love isn’t. Refusing to continue her Nana’s fortune-telling side business, Flair accidentally bakes a batch of tarot card cookies that unleashes the family’s power. Chaos ensues: Her first love returns, as does her unpredictable mother and magic-obsessed daughter. Flair must confront her magical heritage to navigate the powerful new witch in town—one who isn’t nearly as reluctant or careful with her powers.
The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark
For fans of: Binti by Nnedi Okorafor and Mammoths at the Gates Nghi Vo
P. Djèlí Clark’s 2018 Alex Award–winning The Black God’s Drums takes place in an alternate New Orleans caught in the middle of the Civil War. Creeper is a wall-scaling girl who longs to escape the city and catch a flight on the airship Midnight Robbe. She uses top-secret information about a Haitian scientist and a mysterious weapon called the Black God’s Drums to secure a spot on the flight. But Creeper harbors her own secret: She carries the voice of Oya, an African orisha, in her head. Creeper, Oya and the airship’s crew embark on a perilous mission to prevent the devastating weapon from destroying New Orleans. If you’re looking for more books by Black authors to add to your shelves, definitely pick up a copy of this must-read novel.
Mooncakes by Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker
For fans of: The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill and Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
Nova Huang is not your average teen witch. Working alongside her grandmothers in their bookshop, she assists with loaning out spell books and investigates supernatural encounters in their New England town. One night, while exploring the woods for a reported white wolf, Nova comes across Tam Lang—who happens to be her former childhood crush. Nova and Tam must work together to confront the forces threatening them while also acknowledging that their feelings for each other have been rekindled. Released in 2019, Mooncakes joins the ranks of other heartwarming and inclusive stories that prove feel-good fiction is here to stay. This sweet graphic novel is packed with stunning and colorful witchy visuals and is perfect for both young adult and young-at-heart readers.
The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
For fans of: The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs by Katherine Howe and The Virgins of Venice by Gina Buonaguro
Novels about witches run the gamut from light, breezy reads to weightier works grounded in historical fact. Katherine Howe’s The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane is the latter. Published in 2009, the novel is deeply researched and honors the real women who were on trial in Salem during the witchcraft scare.
“This fascinating tale of witchcraft and folk medicine in old New England has been a favorite for many years,” says Anna Rasche, a historian and the author of The Stone Witch of Florence. “I love the race-against-the-clock mystery at the novel’s heart. I love the expertly drawn historical settings. I love that Connie is living the summer vacation of my dreams (seaside cottage filled with mysterious antiques, anyone?). But most of all, I love that the women of the Salem witch trials are defined not by the horrors of their persecution but by the agency they claim for themselves.”
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
For fans of: My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine and Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Nine years ago, witch Vivienne Jones cast a seemingly harmless curse on her ex-boyfriend. Nearly a decade later, the heartbreaker Rhys Penhallow returns to Graves Glen, Georgia, and Vivienne learns her curse may not have been as ineffective as she thought. Calamities strike Rhys one after another, and pretty soon, Graves Glen is under attack. While it’s hard to deny Rhys and Vivienne are feeling some serious chemistry, they must focus on finding a way to break the curse before it’s too late.
The author behind some of the best YA novels and adult thriller books, Rachel Hawkins writes 2021’s New York Times bestselling The Ex Hex (and other popular paranormal novels for adults) under the name Erin Sterling. Whatever her nom de plume, you can expect the same stellar storytelling.
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
For fans of: Twilight Eyes by Dean Koontz and Joyland by Stephen King
Published in 1962, Something Wicket This Way Comes follows Jim Nightshade and William Halloway, 13-year-old best friends who must face their fears when a traveling carnival comes to their Illinois town and unleashes a cast of creepy characters. What ensues is the stuff of nightmares.
“I read Something Wicked This Way Comes in eighth grade and was so bewitched that I spent an hour breathlessly acting it out for my next-door neighbor,” says Meg Gardiner, the No. 1 bestselling author of 17 thrillers, including Shadowheart. “Ray Bradbury’s effortless style welcomed me to the story. The sly and seductive nature of evil was a revelation to 13-year-old me. The scary fantasy storyline was mind-blowing. And the hero was my age. Give this novel to upper-grade middle schoolers who like spooky stories and to adults who relish tales of the interplay between light and darkness—and who will recognize the feeling of being young and in the throes of change.”
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
For fans of: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova and The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs by Katherine Howe
Diana Bishop looks like any bookish scholar—except she also happens to be a descendant of witches. When she discovers an old enchanted manuscript hidden within Oxford’s Bodleian Library, she accidentally summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates alongside handsome vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. Published in 2011, A Discovery of Witches is the award-winning first book in the All Souls fantasy book series. (It’s also a popular three-season TV series streaming on AMC+ and other platforms.) Author Deborah Harkness is a professor of history, so you better believe the historical elements are top notch.
The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais
For fans of: Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck and In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace
Five octogenarian witches live in Moonshyne Manor, but when an angry mob arrives to demolish their house, the women soon learn that they’re behind on their mortgage payments. Determined to save their home, the witches try risky bargaining and attempt to use their aging powers to fight evil and threatening forces. Pick up 2022’s The Witches of Moonshyne Manor if you love to read about the magical powers of female friendship and the destructive force of secrecy. This book makes me secretly wish I could retire with a gaggle of witch besties in my own version of Moonshyne Manor.
What Became of Magic by Paige Crutcher
For fans of: The Lost Witch by Paige Crutcher and The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
A veteran author of books about witches, Paige Crutcher is back with a story about a witch who can talk to ghosts. Published in 2023, What Became of Magic follows Aline Weir, a witch who has kept her powers hidden and lives a solitary life, helping lost souls find their way home. After stumbling upon the Book of Mischief in her favorite bookstore, she discovers that her powers are enhanced. When she goes on an adventure to a town that doesn’t exist on a map, Aline must decide if she’s willing to use her powers for a dangerous mission that only she can complete.
The Witch’s Daughter by Paula Brackston
For fans of: The Witch’s Trinity by Erika Mailman and Witch Light by Susan Fletcher
Elizabeth “Bess” Hawksmith is 384 years old, and The Witch’s Daughter, Paula Brackston’s 2008 bestseller, is the story of her long, fantastical life. In 1628, she discovers her mother hanging for witchcraft and asks warlock Gideon Masters to ensure the same fate never finds her. Instead, she unleashes a different type of curse, spending centuries in solitude. But her life takes a sudden turn when she’s befriended by Tegan, a curious teenage girl. Bess treats Tegan like the daughter she never had and begins teaching her the ways of the hedge witch. But Gideon will stop at nothing to reclaim Bess’s soul―and she must do everything she can to protect Tegan from the warlock’s dark powers.
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
For fans of: Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice and The Elementals by Michael McDowell
Rowan Mayfair is a brilliant neurosurgeon who is completely unaware that she comes from a long line of witches, but she does know she has special powers. When she brings a drowned man back to life, the two become drawn to each other—and soon discover that the man has an unexpected and frightening new power. As the pair join forces, an immersive tale ensues, spanning continents and centuries. Released in 1990, The Witching Hour is the first in a three-book series by award-winning and beloved author Anne Rice. Once you’ve gobbled up the entire Lives of Mayfair Witches series, catch the TV adaptation on AMC+.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
For fans of: A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown and An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
The land of Orïsha once thrived with magic, and Maji once possessed unique magical abilities. That all changed when magic vanished one tragic night—a merciless king ordered the killing of Maji, leaving Zélie Adebola without her mother and her people in despair. Now, she has the chance to strike down the monarchy and bring power back to Orïsha. But to do so, she must control her growing power and overcome the feelings she has for the enemy. Children of Blood and Bone, published in 2018 to wild acclaim, is a gorgeously written instant New York Times bestseller. And though it weighs in at 544 pages, you’ll speed through the book and move right on to the second in this teen book series, Children of Virtue and Vengeance.
Weyward by Emilia Hart
For fans of: The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner and The Witches of New York by Ami McKay
Set in three different timelines, Emilia Hart’s 2023 debut novel, Weyward, is an enchanting book about three women spanning five centuries. In 2019, Kate flees London and her abusive ex, hiding in a crumbling cottage she inherited from her late aunt. But it doesn’t take long for her to realize there are many secrets lurking. In 1619, Altha has been charged with the murder of a local farmer—the town believes she’s a witch who cast a spell that led to his death. In 1942, Violet is trapped in her family’s ramshackle mansion, longing for the education that her brother has received. Her deceased mother remains a mystery, the only thing left of her an old locket with the initial W engraved on it and the word Weyward scratched into the baseboard in her bedroom.
This is the perfect book for women (and men!) who devour stories by Sarah Penner and Sarah Addison Allen. I read it over a snowy and stormy weekend and adored each of the characters.
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
For fans of: Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older and The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
Alex, a powerful bruja, has despised magic since the day it made her father disappear. She’s looking forward to her Deathday, when she’ll finally be free from her magic. But during the ceremony, a curse goes awry, causing the rest of her family to vanish and forcing Alex to absorb all the magic from her family line. Intent on rescuing her family, she asks an ambitious brujo named Nova for help, and together they journey to Los Lagos, a mysterious realm. During the journey, Alex uncovers profound revelations about herself, her abilities and her family, altering her life forever. Released in 2016, Labyrinth Lost is the first book in the Brooklyn Brujas series, a queer Latinx fantasy series for teens that’ll appeal to readers of all ages.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
For fans of: How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather and Witch Child by Celia Rees
Set in Colonial Connecticut in 1687, The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a classic children’s book about 16-year-old Kit Tyler, who faces suspicion and disapproval upon arriving from Barbados to live with long-lost relatives. Struggling to belong and remain true to herself, she befriends Hannah Tupper, labeled a witch by colonists. Their forbidden bond forces Kit to make a heart-wrenching choice between her feelings and her duty. The Newbery Medal–winning novel was published in 1958 and has made banned books lists for promoting witchcraft—despite the fact that neither of the characters are witches. It’s a historically significant book about community, challenging the status quo and friendship.
Love and Other Wicked Things by Philline Harms
For fans of: These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling and Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
In the quaint town of Oakriver, 19-year-old Rhia is a quiet third-generation earth witch who loves plants and nature but who keeps her powers secret from the town. New arrival Valerie is a 17-year-old fire witch, who comes to town looking for answers about her mother’s disappearance. Unlike Rhia, Valerie has no issues with using her magic out in the open. While these two teen witches are complete opposites, they find themselves drawn together and must face unsettling visions and dark forces that plague the town. To protect her home and newfound love, Rhia must embrace her true potential and confront the looming darkness threatening their lives. Released in 2023, Love and Other Wicked Things features two LGBTQ book characters and is perfect for teens and adults alike.
Dazzling by Chịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ
For fans of: The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates and The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years by Shubnum Khan
Treasure’s father has died, and now she and her mother have lost everything. While at the market, Treasure receives an offer she cannot refuse: A mysterious man—who’s hovering just above the ground—tells her that he will bring her father back, but only if she does one terrible thing.
Ozoemena has inherited a gift that has never been passed down to a girl before. She has the power to transform into a leopard and has been tasked with protecting the land and its people. Ozoemena has other things to worry about, but her father warned her that this role must be taken seriously … and then he vanished.
A feminist book about empowerment and coming-of-age, Chịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ’s 2023 novel, Dazzling, tells the story of two girls who must reckon with the loss of their fathers and a world that has consistently told them no simply because they are women.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’ve been sharing our favorite books for over 100 years. We’ve worked with bestselling authors including Susan Orlean, Janet Evanovich and Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize–winning Roots grew out of a project funded by and originally published in the magazine. Through Fiction Favorites (formerly Select Editions and Condensed Books), Reader’s Digest has been publishing anthologies of abridged novels for decades. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in fiction, including James Patterson, Ruth Ware, Kristin Hannah and more. The Reader’s Digest Book Club, helmed by Books Editor Tracey Neithercott, introduces readers to even more of today’s best fiction by upcoming, bestselling and award-winning authors. For this piece on books about witches, Brianna Bell tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who covers books for Reader’s Digest to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Stacy Whitman, owner of the Curious Cat Bookshop in Winsted, Connecticut; interview June 2024
- Lynda Cohen Loigman, author of The Matchmaker’s Gift and The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern; interview June 2024
- KJ Dell’Antonia, author of The Chicken Sisters, In Her Boots and Playing the Witch Card; interview June 2024
- Meg Gardiner, Edgar Award–winning author of over a dozen novels, including Shadowheart; interview June 2024
- Anna Rasche, historian and author of The Stone Witch of Florence; interview June 2024
Originally Published: August 31, 2023
