Witchy Book Recs (Patreon)

I'm not sure why I love witch characters so much, but I do. I don't love *all* witchy books, but I'll certainly at least pick them up and check them out if I find out there's a witch involved. I think I just love to see different takes on magic? Anyway, here is a very non-exhaustive list of some witchy books for you. Some of them have popped up on other lists, I didn't want that to keep them off this list.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Mandanna--this one I just mentioned a little bit ago, but it was an absolute delight. Found family, good characters and hot, grumpy Irish librarian for the win.

Dime Store Magic by Armstrong--this is part of the Underworld series (book three) but the first book that's from one with a witch POV. I love this whole series, but I liked, too, that there was a lot going on with the witches, and Paige's character trying to forge her own path. I need to reread these books.

Dead Witch Walking by Harrison--this is the first book in a series that was in the sort of urban fantasy boom. (I love urban fantasy so much.) I read the whole series following Rachel the witch, and her team that consisted of a vampire and a foul-mouthed pixie. I haven't read the newer installments yet, but I really enjoyed the original series.

Hex Life--this is an anthology of a ton of top-notch authors. So if you're looking to find new authors to follow, this would be a good sampler to pick up. All the characters are witches!

Akata Witch by Okorafor--(Young Adult) this book was often pitched as the "Nigerian Harry Potter" which makes it sound derivative, but it's not. Okarafor is an amazingly talented writer and Akata Witch was one of those books my coworkers at the bookstore were always recommending.

Labyrinth Lost by Córdova--(Young adult) if you're looking for a Latinx-infused witchy fantasy, of just a really good book, put your grabby hands on this one. 

Witchlings by Ortega--(middle grade) I will admit that I haven't read this book yet. Why? I keep buying it and then giving it to kids that ABSOLUTELY NEED IT RIGHT NOW. I just finally bought myself another copy so I can read it. (I did sort myself into the witchling houses and I am Toad House which seems very accurate.)

Small Town, Big Magic by Beck--I just read this one. It was pretty cute and funny and had a lot about what it means to be a successful, driven woman (the good and the bad) and how it's okay to ask for help. While this is a romance, the sex scenes are very much off page, so if you're the kind of reader that likes to skip over those, this book might be for you. (I am not that kind of reader and was slightly irritated that we skipped them after SO MUCH MUTUAL PINING, but this is very much a preference thing and doesn't take away from the fact that I enjoyed the book.)

Disc World by Terry Pratchett--so the fun thing about the disc world series is you can read them chronologically or by character or just as you see fit. The witch characters are an absolute delight. For the adult witch books, you can start at...Equal Rights? The Wyrd Sisters? I can't remember which. For YA, the Tiffany Aching books are deeply loved in my house. (I used to have an illustrated edition of Wee Free Men and it kills me that someone borrowed it and it never came back. *sad trombone noise*)

Witches of Brooklyn--(Middle grade) This is a super cute graphic novel about witches that I gobbled up in one sitting. It's not spooky, the art is adorable, and the story was very kind.

Undead Girl Gang by Anderson--(Young Adult) I think I've mentioned this one before? Recently? Anyway, it's both a meditation on grief and losing a friend as well as, you know, witchy things. The main character brings back her best friend (and a few other people) to help her figure out who murdered them. Funny, but obviously some spooky elements.

Seriously Wicked by Connelly--(Young Adult) a super fun book about a girl apprenticing with a wicked witch. I consider the author a friend, so I'm super biased, but I read this book before I met her, so THERE. 

The Circle series by Pierce--(MG and YA) so I've long been a fan of Tamora Pierce (You can actually see me interviewing her here!) and though her Tortall series is my favorite, her Circle Series has some really neat approaches to magic. Seriously, though, when she blurbed Curses I almost keeled over with joy.

Mercy Thompson series by Briggs--(Adult) though they are rarely main characters and almost always gray or black witches, this series has a bunch of them. The short story Seeing Eye does have a main character that's a white witch that's a lot of fun.

A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Harper--(Adult) Again, Molly is a friend, but I read this book before I forced her to be my friend. It made me laugh. A lot. She also has an audible only book coming out soon called Witches Get it Done that I'm super looking forward to.

As usual, I'm positive I'm forgetting a few of my favorites, and I'd love to hear about any of yours! What should I add to my TBR?

-Lish