For centuries, witches have been associated with the strange, the supernatural, and the irrational. Some call them devil-worshippers, while others see them as healers. Whatever the case, these magical (and often misunderstood) women have been a popular subject in history and pop culture.

Below is a list of some of the best books that revolve around witchcraft. Now, we didn’t limit these to only fiction books, since witchcraft (or allegations of it) has definitely had a place in history. If you’re interested in learning more about witches, then this list is for you.

Fictional Books About Witches

Centuries ago, witches were typically portrayed as wart-faced hags wearing pointy hats and shoes, who spent their time hunched over a boiling cauldron full of who knows what. Popular culture has since adapted this image to teenagers struggling to come to terms with their power, or women who are closely connected to nature.

If you’re a fan of Sabrina, Hermione (technically a wizard), the sisters from Charmed, or the more adult-suited Melisandre of A Song of Ice and Fire and The Lilim from Stardust, you’ll definitely love these books.

1. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

For 90’s nostalgia.

If you’ve watched the Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman film, then you’ll love the book that inspired it. Sally and Gillian Owens are sisters who come from a not-so-normal family. Orphaned at a young age, they are taken in by their aunts, who don’t shy away from their reputation as witches. Sick of being treated as outcasts, both sisters do their best to escape and live normal lives.

2. The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

For fans of Interview With The Vampire.

The Mayfairs are a dynasty of witches who fled 17th century Scotland and settled in New Orleans and have repeatedly struggled with a demon-esque spirit that wishes to be reborn in flesh. It just so happens that a Mayfair capable of doing that has finally appeared in the form of Rowan, a gifted neurosurgeon with no knowledge of her lineage. This is a book that’ll keep you delighted with sexually charged passages, morbid delights, and wild tragedy.

3. The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

For dark fantasy fans.

Tea Pahlavi accidentally raises her brother from the dead. Whisked away to be trained as a bone witch, she prepares for her eventual duty of raising and killing creatures called daeva, who come every few years and kill anything on their path because of an old curse. Shunned because of her darker brand of powers, Tea must navigate the new world she finds herself in, alone or otherwise.

4. The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike

For readers interested in feminist themes.

Alexandra Spofford, Jane Smart, and Sukie Rougemont acquired their powers by leaving or being left by their husbands. Their idyllic lives are upset when rich and charismatic Darryll Van Horne moves into a mansion outside their town and seduces all three. Initially agreeing to share Van Horne, the coven suddenly finds trouble when they unwittingly bewitch the townsfolk. Things escalate, and soon Van Horne turns from being the man of their dreams into the demon of their nightmares.

5. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

For lovers of romance.

Diana Bishop is a history of science professor at Yale University. She’s also a reluctant witch, having rejected the magic in her blood and minimized her interactions with other witches. But when she finds a long-lost manuscript sought after by many, her powers activate and she must learn to use them to protect herself and those around her. Matthew Clairmont, a vampire searching for the same manuscript, takes her under his wing, and they soon both develop a forbidden romance.

6. The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

For those with a love for history.

In 1617, a massive storm ensues and drowns 40 men, which is the entire male population of Vardø, a little fishing village on the coasts of Norway. Left on their own, the women must swallow their grief and attempt to survive. A new commissioner soon arrives to oversee the village, and is surprised by the independence of the women. He is convinced that evil caused the storm and corrupted the women. Inspired by historical events, this is a story of how suspicions can twist even the most innocent of events into something sinister.

7. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

For lovers of comedy.

The world is ending next Saturday (as prophesied by Agnes Nutter, witch extraordinaire) and the four bikers of the Apocalypse are ready. But it seems someone’s misplaced the Anti-Christ. In an unexpected show of friendship, an angel and a demon unite to stop the end of the world, because Earth’s just too nice to destroy, and the Armageddon’s overrated anyway.

8. The Babysitter’s Coven by Kate Williams

For YA fans.

Yep, babysitters who are also witches. Esme and Janice are the only remaining members of a babysitter’s club. Both of them love fashion and their “meetings” consist of hanging out and going thrift shopping. But strange things keep happening, and as an extremely popular girl suddenly invites herself into the club, Esme finds herself doing things she thought impossible.

9. The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab

For readers who like fairy stories.

Lexi has always lived a specific routine because of “truths” that cannot be questioned in Near, the town she lives in. When a stranger does come to town, and children suddenly disappear, Lexi realizes these truths are wrong. As the mob mentality worsens and suspicion falls upon the stranger, she sides with him over the townsfolk while searching for the missing children.

10. The Book of Magic by George R. R. Martin et al.

For fans of epic fantasy.

An anthology that focuses on the witches and wizards of epic fantasy, this includes stories written by some of the most well-known writers of the genre. From Scott Lynch (Lies of Locke Lamora), Garth Nix (Sabriel), and many more, these are bite-sized epics to read if you want to immerse yourself in the world of magic.

11. The Witches by Roald Dahl

For young readers.

In this fun book, beloved children’s writer Roald Dahl introduces us to Grandmamma, who warns her grandson about witches—not ones that just appear in stories, but real ones. There’s nothing those witches hate more than children, and they cast all kinds of spells to get rid of them. Despite Grandmamma’s stories, nothing can prepare her grandson for the day he comes face-to-face with The Grand High Witch herself!

Nonfiction Books about Witches

Media has fictionalized witches to the point that most people forget that what they watch and read has a real counterpart in our true history. Practitioners have always existed in different cultures, and practicing different kinds of so-called magic. “Witch” is just one of the countless names people call them.

Below is a list of nonfiction books detailing the history of witchcraft, from its first appearances, to the public’s response to its practitioners.

12. Voodoo Queen by Martha Ward

For lovers of everything voodoo.

The book is an investigative story following the lives of both Marie Laveaus, a mother and daughter who were respected and feared in the New Orleans community. Famous for their magical powers, both were leaders of a misunderstood religion that many consider evil, even today. This is an in-depth analysis to the lives they led and the intricacies of voodoo and Creole culture.

13. Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland

A how-to guide to everything witchy.

A classic guide to magic, this piece of literature has been around for more than three decades now. A comprehensive text full of history, lore, rituals, and instructions on different magical arts, this is the ultimate practical workbook for aspiring Wicca practitioners. It even comes with illustrations and test questions to better test your learning!

14. Witches, Midwives, & Nurses by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English

For the medically-inclined.

Women have always been healers, and most witches were just that—misunderstood healers trying to advance the medical knowledge of their era. They were pharmacists who used herbs, unlicensed doctors who assisted in giving birth, and nurses who treated the injured. The authors of this book take a historical look at the problems faced by these wise women, from being ostracized and feared by the ignorant masses, to being pursued by witch hunters and struggling against discrimination.

15. The Witch by Ronald Hutton

For history buffs.

Take a closer look at Europe’s treatment of women suspected of witchcraft, the origins of such beliefs and attitudes towards these women, and the varying treatment of these women in different parts of the world. This is a book that includes the historical, cultural, and geographical views of witches from pagan times to modern interpretations.

16. The Penguin Book of Witches by Katherine Howe

For history lovers.

Take a tour through some of the darkest stories of the Western World’s interactions with witchcraft. This book offers historical accounts of witchcraft divided by era, and includes popular tidbits and unexpected trivia, including King James’s manual on witch hunting! Howe’s editorialization offers a look at how fear and instability can lead people to demonize each other.

17. The Oxford Illustrated History of Witchcraft and Magic by Owen Davies

For picture lovers who want some history on the side.

Davies explores a wide range of history that touches upon magic and witchcraft, beginning from the invention of writing to the image of the witch as a devil worshipper. It also offers a comprehensive look on modern magic, and its depiction in the cinematic world. This is an easy read for most, due to the abundance of images and other visual data.

18. Waking the Witch by Pam Grossman

For the modern witch.

Part memoir, part cultural analysis, Grossman blends personal musings as a practicing witch with criticisms on the history, stereotypes, and characterizations of witches. From debunking myths to analyzing pop culture’s representation of witchcraft, Grossman turns to scrutinizing real-world accounts of witches and their antagonists. It’s an assortment of discussions that will ignite the modern witch’s interest.

19. Witch: Unleashed. Untamed. Unapologetic. by Lisa Lister

For the practicing witch.

Lister’s book is a retelling of history into herstory, viewing the historical events and attitudes surrounding witchcraft through a female lens. Here you’ll also learn about ancient wisdom that is still relevant to modern witches, from the cyclical nature of the moon, to the gains of working with your environment.

20. Initiated: Memoir of a Witch by Amanda Yates Garcia

For lovers of memoirs.

Ever thought about what it takes to be a practicing witch in this modern world? Garcia takes you along on her journey, starting from her initiation to the craft at only 13 years old, to the the series of trials she endures to fully understand her vocation. This book offers a deeply spiritual look at the politics, culture, and misogyny that touch on the people’s depiction of witchcraft.

21. In The Devil’s Snare by Mary Beth Norton

For those interested in the Salem witch trials.

The Salem witch trials have been a much studied historical event, shrouded in fear, mystery, and mass ignorance. Norton offers a fresh view on what really happened, citing newly available information that sheds light on the political, military, and religious factors that incited the hysterical fits and behaviors that launched the infamous witch hunts.

Witches in Popular Culture

Ignorance has always been the enemy of progress. Progress is the unknown, and humanity’s frequent response to the unknown is fear and violence.

It’s no surprise that stories of witches have inspired literature and films around the world. From Homer’s Odyssey to Shakespeare’s Macbeth and more modern literature, witches (and magic in general) have become popular characters across many stories.

Today, religions like Wicca and Voodoo are largely accepted, but still carry a stigma of evil, and struggle to shake off the stereotypes history has branded on them. As a result, most practitioners are reluctant to discuss their practices publicly, hoping to live peaceful lives and avoid irrational actions from more intolerant people.

If you have a healthy interest in anything witchy, then hopefully these books will be helpful in your pursuits, whether its for scholarly work or just to satisfy your curiosity.

Do you have some interesting witchcraft facts? Share them in the comments below!

 

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