I’ve been fascinated by witches ever since I was a little girl, intrigued by the magic in Narnia and other fantastical worlds I was
introduced to. As I got older, the idea of witchy reads went beyond magic to the organic skills of cunning women and healers in history whose knowledge of the earth helped heal those around them. This fascination expanded to include those accused of witchcraft in history.
I was hit with the idea to write A Time of Witches back when I was in high school due to a recurring nightmare of being burned alive at the stake. I assumed it was likely me in a past life or possibly an ancestor, and the idea for this book was born. I knew I wanted the woman being burned to have been accused of witchcraft, and I’ve had the story in my heart for over 25 years.
Along the way, I have fallen in love with many witchy books, and here are some of my favorites:
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
This book was steeped in magic and intrigue, and while the White Witch was a villain, the whimsical magic that existed in the real world was enough to make me want to fall right into Narnia myself.
Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes
This is a middle-grade read rooted in magic, legacy, and place as Maddy enjoys her first summer in the bayou and starts to discover that she may be the only sibling to inherit the family magic. The idea of having that special, rare magical gift is the best.
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
Eccentric witchy aunts, a cozy household that is a little outside the norm, herbal remedies, witchcraft, and female bonds. This is the ultimate witchy book to make an ordinary world feel enchanted.
The Witches of New York by Ami McKay
In New York City in the Gilded Age, séances are all the rage, especially when a young new shop assistant begins to unearth the very real power inside of her. I love how much this book celebrates women’s knowledge and empowerment.
The Great Witch of Brittany by Louisa Morgan
Ancestral intervention guides Ursule through her life as clues are whispered to her, helping her wield her magic and remain safe in a world that does not understand magic. The way the ancestors emerged in Ursule’s thoughts to help her really fascinated me and made me try to listen a little harder in case mine try to speak to me.
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
Three sisters are seemingly up against the world as they fight for equal rights amid the American women’s suffragette movement, and it just goes to show how potent women can be when they recover knowledge that was once erased. This book brought to life the strength of women fighting for the vote, imbued with ancient wisdom and magic, and made me want to be right there with them.
The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
A mishap draws Immanuelle from her home in a puritanical society to the woods where the spirits of four murdered witches remain. But as she learns of her legacy, her curiosity becomes resistance as she explores themes of sexism, racism, and rebellion. I loved watching Immanuelle come into her own in this book, especially as she realized her strength.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
This classic illustrates how quickly fear can spread among society, infecting people to the point that all logic fails them. This was a terrifying read, but also one that is so important to keep in mind – how dangerous fear can truly be.
Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian
Mary Deerfield will do anything to escape the violence of her husband in Puritan Boston. But when evidence turns against her, she is accused of being a witch in this book. This story truly illustrated how vulnerable women were back in the early days of Puritan America and what they endured with the accusation of witchcraft.
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
When the plague hits their small town, the villagers are looking for a scapegoat. First, they turn to the Gowdie women (the local healers), resulting in their deaths and leaving servant Anna Frith to learn the ways of healing to save her community from certain death. This is one of my all-time favorite books, with Anna being such a quietly strong character.
As you can see, this is a varied blend of magic and female empowerment, alongside accusations throughout history and the knowledge of herbal remedies when needed most. As Summerween draws to a close and we finally make our way into fall, I hope you enjoy these fabulous reads and channel a little bit of your inner witch.
