Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
My favorite supernatural, spooky season trope is witchiness. Actually, it doesn’t matter the season. I’m always up for a good witch story. So this week, my Top Ten list is all about my favorite witchy books. Grab your pointy shoes, stripey stockings and let’s go!
Witchy books
My first witchy book recommendation is a sequel and I definitely think you need to read the first book, Gideon the Ninth first but it’s the second book that focuses on necromantic witch Harrowhark. How can you not love Harrowhark, necromantic genius, surly teenager, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House, Lyctor to the Undying Emperor? This book is the darkest of the dark, thoroughly bonkers sequel to Gideon the Ninth. Read my full review.
This book combines some of my favorite things – a strong woman main character who refuses to fit into the tiny box society wants to shove her into. And Regency romances with all of their balls, protocols, feasts, and fineries. Read my full review.
This the story of three estranged sisters who unite to bring back witchcraft to the women of New Salem. Diverse, LGBTQ+ rep. Gorgeous lyrical writing. And a gut-punch ending. Read my full review.
Tackles tough subjects like prejudice and misogyny against a conservative religious community where the threat of the pyre constantly hangs over the heads of women. Gave me serious Chilling Adventures of Sabrina vibes with its magical chosen one trope.
This book is total reader catnip for me – a gorgeous library, sexy vampire, and witches. Yes, please! Calling up an alchemical text from Oxford’s Bodleian Library, Diana sets things in motion in the hidden supernatural world. And gains the attention of vampire Matthew.
The Oz books enchanted me from the first time I read one as a grade-schooler. I regularly reread them, decades on. As retellings are reader catnip to me, I was practically in love with Wicked before it was even published. Elphaba’s story is so good! And proves Kermit the Frog’s insistence that it isn’t easy being green.
While I adore all of the inhabitants of Sir Pterry’s Discworld, the ones nearest to my heart are the witches. I’m still hoping to grow up to be Granny Weatherwax with her smarts and headology. These books are masterpieces of pointed comedy that examine socio-political issues while making you giggle like mad.
Tea comes from a family of witches but when she raises her brother from the dead, she’s feared and ostracized. An older bone witch offers to mentor Tea but leaving home for a strange land is just the first of many obstacles she has to face.
This book reminded me a great deal of The Discovery of Witches – dual timelines, witch ancestors, scholarly women discovering their witchy family traditions.
Lastly, my final witchy books is a retelling. I’ve mentioned that I adore reading retellings and when they’re mythological, even better. The fierce witch who turned Odysseus’s men into pigs in the Odyssey turns out to be a much more vulnerable and relatable character in this retelling.
Conclusion
Any time of year is time to read witchy books but spooky season is even better! Tell me your favorite witchy books in the comments below.
I’m so curious about The Year of the Witching.
My post.
A Discover of Witches sounds really good; I have heard good things. I will have to add it to my TBR. 🙂
My TTT: https://herbookishdesires.wordpress.com/2020/10/27/top-ten-tuesday-halloween-freebie%f0%9f%8e%83/