Witchy Book Recs

She may become a witch, a real witch.

– John Piper

WE’RE BACK, WITCHES.

I’ve seen a lot of upcoming witchy reads on Twitter and various booklists since early 2017.

Is this a reaction to Trump’s election? Did this publishing explosion come from the Nasty Woman movement?

Whatever the reason, I’m fascinated.

I compiled a list of witchy books to read (and reread) in the coming months.

 

Toil and Trouble: 15 Tales of Women and Witchcraft

Edited by Jessica Spotswood and Tess Sharpe

I love a good anthology.

And bright purple covers.

And the final line of this book’s blurb:

This collection reveals a universal truth: there’s nothing more powerful than a teenage girl who believes in herself.

Love it. Buying it.

 

All the Crooked Saints

By Maggie Stiefvater

THIS BOOK GOT ME.

IT GOT ME GOOD.

Without giving too much away, the three main characters belong to a family with “saintly” powers.

Bicho Raro’s pilgrims acknowledge the thin line between miracles and witchcraft.

You don’t typically see saints turning people into…you know what? Never mind.

You’ll see.

 

The Summer of Salt

by Katrina Leno

TRIGGER WARNING FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT, VIOLENCE, AND ANIMAL ABUSE.

PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION.

I don’t know that the word “witch” is ever used in this novel, but the main characters are young women with “abilities.”

Their mom concocts potions for the island locals.

A centuries-old creature entertains tourists every summer.

Sounds like a witchy novel to me.

 

The Bone Witch

by Rin Chupeco

I bought this in spite of the mixed reviews.

Look at it!

Paperback.

Purple cover.

Tagline: “Let me be clear, I never intended to raise my brother from his grave…”

Intriguing! I’ll take this and the Obama/Biden mystery. No receipt.

 

The Graces

by Laure Eve

I’ve seen several big name authors try to do the “Mean Girls meets witchcraft” plot in my time.

The Graces is a bit different.

For instance, one of the alleged witches is a golden boy named Fenrin.

Also, this story’s protagonist isn’t a wide-eyed innocent; she has an agenda of some kind.

I am very excited about this one.

 

These Witches Don’t Burn

by Isabel Sterling

I know this will ruin my reputation, but I have to say it:

I didn’t like Buffy the Vampire Slayer that much.

Yes, yes, hand in my geek card, etc., etc.

Imagine, though, if Willow and Tara were the stars of that show.

THAT’S RIGHT; IT WOULD BE A BETTER SHOW.

This book has a bit of Buffy flavor (“Oh no, a dangerous curse keeps foiling my dating life!”) with the focus on witches instead of vampire slayers.

OH MY, IS THIS BOOK PURPLE, WHO WOULD HAVE GUESSED?

 

Shades of Magic series

by Victoria Schwab

Is this about witches? I don’t actually know.

I know something about conjurers, Grey London, and Lila.

Is Lila a witch?

I’ll get to this series eventually.

 

The Rules of Magic

by Alice Hoffman

I know three things:

1. The cover of this book is gold and shiny.
2. It’s a prequel of sorts to Practical Magic.
3. Love is the most powerful magic of all or something like that.

I have such doubts, but the plot synopsis intrigued me enough to save this book from the Lenten Book Purge.

 

The Power

by Naomi Alderman

I don’t know that I can technically call this a witch novel, as the plot is closer to X-men than Charmed.

In it, women develop powers of some sort that allow them to torture and subjugate men.

Let’s add it to the list for fun.

 

All the Birds in the Sky

by Charlie Jane Anders

AN EPIC BATTLE BETWEEN WITCHES AND TECH NERDS.

AND THEN THE WITCHES AND TECH NERDS…FALL IN LOVE!?

For some reason, I get Woman World vibes?

I’m VERY excited.

 

The Witches Are Coming

by Lindy West

Heeeeeeeeeey.

Refer back to my Trump theory.

This book is less about actual witchcraft and more about the misogyny perpetrated and supported by the current administration.

I really want to know what Adam Sandler, Donald Trump, and South Park have in common.

Let me add it to my pre-order list.