All The Best Witchy Reads For Your October Reading List

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Witch books; I just love them! There is nothing I love more in the month of October than reading a nice Halloween read with a little bit of witchcraft.

When it comes to witch themed books, I can be very picky! I don’t want to read something too far out there with a crazy plot that goes every witch way. (Pun not originally intended, but I’m keeping it.) I also don’t need a bunch of other creatures included like werewolves and shapeshifters, although once in a while I don’t mind some unique characters added in. I have to be in an extra magical mood these days, although I always love a vampire romance (what can I say, I’m a 90s kid.) I also don’t like my witchy reads to be too dark. Basically, I look for that book with magic hidden in the ordinary or in plane sight. -Witches living amongst us.

I like to keep the autumn season slow and pleasant, and therefore I like my book selection to be cozy too. Being scared out of my mind with a horror novel doesn’t quite fit my autumnal theme. Because of this there are several popular witchy reads that have not made this list. I read the synopsis and just wasn’t feeling it. There were others, in my opinion, that just didn’t sound all that captivating. I left those out. This is a collection of the books that I’ve read and loved, or the plots sounded so lovely and witchy that I had to add them to my reading list this year. You may feel that I am missing a good one, and I would love to hear about it in the comments below. There are a lot of witch themed books out there, but I feel like I have compiled a list of all of the best ones available, however, I am always open to discovering more.

When I select a witch-themed read for My Autumn Reading List I check a few boxes:

Does the book have cozy autumnal vibes?

Is the lead character a witch with a strong character arch? There is nothing I like more than reading about a person overcoming. They can be flawed and learning or an ordinary person overcoming extradorinaiy circumstances. (I’m not much for witch leads who are truly evil with nothing rewarding about them or the complete opposite; constantly victims. I like strong female leads and I don’t believe that a woman has to be a villain to be strong. She can be vulnerable and still overcome. That being said, a wide range of plots intrigue me so if it is written well, I’m going to be happy to pick it up.)

Does it take place in a cozy small town? (Witch books can take place in a city of course, but the small town vibes just seals the deal.)

Does the plot give me the fall fuzzies? Horror novels and murder mysteries usually don’t check this box, but you will find a few spooky reads and mysteries that still manage to feel cozy for fall. You will find some spookier reads on my autumn reading list, which I will be sharing soon. Basically, does the plot and do the characters in the book make me feel good? I love a feel good story this time of year. Witches deserve happy fairy tale endings too.

Without further ado, here is my compilation of the best witchy reads on my book case.

The best witchy romances:

Witch, Please by Ann Aguirre

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

The League of Gentlewoman Witches by India Holton

The best witch novels:

Practical Magic (the whole series) by Alice Hoffman

The Cider Mill Coven by Vanessa Abigail Lambert

Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck

Cackle by Rachel Harrison

In The Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace

Old School Witchy Favorites (90’s throwbacks and teen books):

Twitches series by Randi Reisfield

Sabrina the teenage witch novelizations

Shattered Mirror by Amelia Atwater Rhodes

Hocus Pocus novelization by A. W. Jantha

Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono

Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling

Witchcraft Non-Fiction:

I would be completely remiss if I left real witchcraft out of the discussion. Witchcraft, Green Witchcraft, or Wicca is commonly misunderstood. Whether it is practiced as a lifestyle, as a religion, or just for fun, witchcraft is a natural and peaceful practice that uses plants, minerals, the earth, and wellbeing to accomplish goals. I can go on and on about the topic (and may elaborate on it in another post), but if you are looking to learn more, the best way is by an actual Witch, Wizard, or Wiccan, which is why I recommend some of their books for you:

The Good Spell Book by Gillian Kemp

The Green Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

The Green Witch’s Garden by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

I hope that some of these books make it onto your reading list this autumn.