I’m starting my Spooktober book recs series off easy with the Witchy Book Recs. These books contain witches and/or warlocks, magic, and magical realism. While these character may not all be witches or warlocks, the books carry this witchy vibe befitting of its addition to this category (and likely they fit the best in this category compared to the others). I haven’t read all of these books, whether they are on my TBR or perhaps I DNFed simply because it wasn’t the right book for me at the time. That way, I can also come back to this list and see if there is something I want to come back to or pick up in the future. Let’s get into it!

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

It’s in the name, and I have heard many good things about Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. I will be looking to read this later on this year as my reading timeline became really short when I had this in my possession. Not to fret, sometimes I actually prefer to read books outside of their intended season so that the environmental atmosphere is stripped back and the book is the one doing the talking. Plus this one has horror elements which will provide another layer to this story I am eager to read.

The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

The magic and magical realism at the core of the Witcher stories is subtle but impressive, and adding in the fact we do have sorceresses and sorcerers, I feel like I can recommend the Witcher short stories The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny and standalone novel Season of Storms with no qualms. These recommendations also come with some monster hunting that falls toward horror, with gore and violent detail included, so this is one for the readers wanting something darker or more adult fantasy than just a witchy read.

All Souls Series by Deborah Harkness

This should come as no surprise to those who have been reading my reviews for a while. If you want a witchy read that has dark academia roots, romance, supernatural elements, historical settings, and is in general a fantastic time, then you need to add the All Souls books to your reading list. A Discovery of Witches could very well be the book that changes your life, because I know it changed mine. It is perfect for someone who likes romantasy but wants a more grounded, mature read, or someone looking for a dark academia book that has more supernatural themes and details. It has a bit of everything and yet it is perfectly balanced.

And to save me having to use a different photo, the next recs I have for you are the Shepherd King Duology by Rachel Gillig. These dark and eerie books are full of magic, suspense, and a truly captivating setting of gothic proportions. The magic is interesting and dark, providing an atmosphere within the pages that is a mix of power, greed, and fear. It is such a compelling duology in terms of its effective setting and tone, and Two Twisted Crowns may not carry the same feel as One Dark Window, I do think these two are worthy of sitting on this list.

The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare

You also knew this was coming, long-term readers. How was I going to give witchy book recs without mentioning my favourite of the Shadowhunter Chronicles, especially when the main female character is a warlock. The magic within the Shadowhunter universe is so interesting to me, and Tessa alone has such a unique ability that I just had to include her in some capacity here. The magic the Shadowhunters have also fits with my decision to add these books to the witchy category, though they could have fit in Haunting Book Recs. I love these books and now feel the strong urge to reread them, so thanks Anna.

A Lullaby for Witches by Hester Fox

If you want witches, Hestor Fox is a good choice of author to go to. My favourite among their witchy books is definitely A Lullaby for Witches as the modern setting differed from their earlier two books The Witch of Willow Hall and The Widow of Pale Harbor, and the contrast between the modern setting and the historical one provided a great bridge for the story to utilise. A Lullaby for Witches has a horror thread throughout and some details that lean a little toward haunting (again its one fo those picks I could have put in either category but it was easier to follow the title), so if you are looking for a witchy read with some haunting elements in it this is a sure pick for you!

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

Juno Dawson’s HMRC series is great for those readers who want to see adult witches in a modern context, coexisting with humans in this low fantasy setting while still dealing with a lot of magical issues and possibly catastrophic things should they get outof hand. It can feel a little slow going, but I am sure there will be many readers out there who find Her Majesty’s Royal Coven to be their cup of tea.

The Dangerous Damsels trilogy by India Holton

This series is perfect for those wanting a wild, wacky, laugh-out-loud magical experience. While the first book, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, may not contain as many magical elements as latter books, especially The League of Gentlewomen Witches, it certainly provides more than enough laughs and fun details to pass the time. This is a rec for those wanting the lighter side of witchy, and it perfect for fans of Diana Wynne Jones’ Howls Moving Castle and the Emily Wilde books.

The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin

I love Rachel Griffin’s witchy books, with The Nature of Witches and Wild is the Witch serving as amazing YA supernatural reads with powerful messages and themes behind them. I don’t tend to gravitate to a lot of YA these days, but this is definitely something I see myself rereading and enojying. These witchy reads deal with the environment, seasons, and the weather, so if that sounds like something that interests you, I highly recommend giving them your time.

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Practical Magic is my next witchy read, having heard about the movie from one of my PhD friends and then discovering it was in fact a book first. I cannot wait to get into it as the vibes I have heard are all to do with kitchens full of drying herbs, messy rooms, and a quaint little house homing some young witches. Look out for my review in the coming days for more information about this one.

An addition to the list, I was so impressed by Adrienne Young’s Spells for Forgetting from start to finish, and I knew I needed to share it with others so that more people pick it up because it is a wonderful read that pairs magical realism with mystery and a childhood romance, making for one unforgettable read. The blend of genres and approach this novel takes to entertain its readers is so brilliantly pulled off, and Spells for Forgetting marks Adrienne Young’s adult fiction debut. Once you read it, you’ll only want more from her.

Come back to this Witchy Book Recs list when you have time as I wil be adding more and more books to the list as I come across them this Spooktober. That’s the trouble with doing these recs lists while reading a bunch of books, but it also means I get to revisit these posts and tweak my descriptions if something comes up during the read or a new book comes across my radar. Happy reading friends!