These New Witchy Reads Are Perfect for the Spookiest Season
There’s something magical and mysterious about autumn: the chilly air, the turning of the leaves; and just the feel of it. Whether you celebrate Halloween, Samhain, or Dia De Los Muertos, autumn is the season of the witch. It’s also a great time of year to put on your favorite cozy sweater, get your favorite hot drink, and indulge in some magical reads.
Here, a list of witchy reads flying onto bookshelves this fall.
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Martin, $13.39
If dark magic, forbidden romance, and powerful heroines are a few of your favorites things, then check out this spellbinding YA novel that will leave your heart pounding and breaking. In this fantasy world, witches are hunted and burned. Louise “Lou” le Blanc, a witch who fled her coven, is forced to marry Reid Diggory, the huntsman of the Church. What happens with you fall in love with someone who wants to kill you?
Wellness Witch: Healing, Potions, Soothing Spells, and Empowering Rituals for Magical Self-Care by Nikki Van De Car
Wellness Witch: Healing, Potions, Soothing Spells, and Empowering Rituals for Magical Self-Care by Nikki Van De Car, $17.99
Nikki Van De Car is back with a new magical book that every witch needs to heal, relax, and soothe your weary soul on chilly autumn nights. Beautifully illustrated by Anisa Makhoul, this book guides into magical self-care practices from mystical rites and creative DIYs. Keep this book in your witch’s toolkit to make every day magical.
to drink coffee with a ghost by Amanda Lovelace
to have coffee with a ghost by Amanda Lovelace, $10.49
“You cannot have a funeral for your mother without also having a funeral for yourself”—such is the premise of the award-winning poetess Amanda Lovelace’s latest collection of poems. The final book of her illustrated duology, “things that h(a)unt,” Lovelace tackles the complex relationship she had with her late mother. Mixing the fantastic with the heartbreak, the book uses Tarot, ouija boards, ghosts, and magic to guide her on the road to healing.
The Babysitters Coven by Kate Williams
The Babysittters Coven by Kate Williams, $17.09
If you enjoyed The Baby-Sitter Club books as a kid, you’ll love this witchy version about a coven of babysitters who realized their calling was to save the world from evil. Two seventeen-year-olds, Esme Pearl and Cassandra Heaven, discover that babysitting is about magic rituals and saving the innocent from evil: before the parents get home. This action-packed novel has plenty of laughs, as well as classic ‘90s cult horror.
Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell, $9.99
Simon thought his troubles were over: he beat the villain, won the war, got the guy, and lost his magic. What’s the quickest cure for the end-of-the-hero’s-journey blues? A trip—to America no less. As Simon, his best friend Penny, and his vampire boyfriend Baz travel through the States, they encounter dragons, vampires, and more. Fans of the Harry Potter novels and fan fiction (especially the combination of the two) will enjoy this magical read.
The Illustrated Bestiary: Guidance and Rituals from 26 Inspiring Animals by Maia Toll
The Illustrated Bestiary: Guidance and Rituals from 26 Inspiring Animals by Maia Toll, $17.96
If you are looking for something that’s both beautifully illustrated and full of valuable information, look no further than Maia Toll’s latest book, centering on animals, the power they possess, and how you connect with them. Every animal from mouse to elephant is represented and illustrated by Kate O’Hara. The book also includes 36 oracle cards to guide you in your spiral mediation with the animals.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, $19.59
From best-selling author and cool goth Leigh Bardugo in her adult debut about dark magic and murder set among the Ivy League elite. Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class: a high school drop-out, and the sole survivor of a horrific unsolved homicide. She is given the opportunity of a lifetime, but at a cost. Forbidden magic at an Ivy League? This funny and raw fantasy will leave you on the edge of your chair.
Initiated: Memoir of a Witch by Amanda Yates Garcia
Initiated: Memoir of a Witch by Amanda Yates Garcia, $27
There aren’t many memoirs about the life of a witch, which makes Amanda Yates Garcia’s all the more interesting—and powerful. Yates Garcia’s mother, a practicing witch, first introduced her to earth-centered witchcraft at the age of thirteen. Follow Yates Garcia’s journey into the underworld of poverty and misogyny on a quest for self-discovery, and a mission to take her magic back. In the era of #metoo, this is a must-read.
The Witch’s Way: A Guide to Modern-Day Spellcraft, Magick, and Divination by Shawn Robbins and Leanna Greenway
The Witch’s Way: A Guide to Modern-Day Spellcraft, Magick, and Divination by Shawn Robbins, $14.95
Shawn Robbins and Leanna Greenway give readers an in-depth look at Wicca and natural magick, covering everything from hedge witches to working with gods and goddesses. Perfect for people who have a basic understanding of magic but are interested in doing a deep dive into the craft.
Happy reading, witches!
Lead image c/o Amanda Lovelace