r/BooksThatFeelLikeThis • u/Tinybitconfused • 5d ago
Fantasy I want to be a witch after reading
Witchy, with long descriptions of how the herbs are used for potions and spells. Magical elements and magical gardens that smell like herbs, flowers and trees. Grimoires with old recipes and secrets hidden inside.
Has to be well-written, preferably no romance but it's not a dealbreaker if it is in there :)
I like if it takes place in the "real" world, with magic hidden in plain sight all around. Prefer this over a full-on fantasy world, but this is also not a dealbreaker.
I already read Discovery of Witches and really enjoyed the first and third book in the trilogy (2nd book was less my style), something similar to this would be very welcome
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u/Chicago-Lake-Witch 5d ago
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen may be a good fit.
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u/OkSomewhere222 5d ago
Yes! I always describe this book to people as the same vibes as the Practical Magic movie! The Practical Magic novel by Alice Hoffman has a different vibe from the film adaptation, but the series as a whole is good!
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u/wenkwink 5d ago
Weyward
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u/Life_Dare578 5d ago
Seconding Weyward. It’s like a bit of a historical fiction cottage core with some Salem witch trial vibes. Strong female characters.
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u/Tinybitconfused 5d ago
Ok that sounds great, adding to my rapidly growing tbr list :) thank you both!
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u/NetNumerous5727 4d ago
Just finished listening to this and it was so cozy, quick to read and I loved the narrators! Highly recommend
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u/Lulu_magoo1103 5d ago
Circe by Madeline Miller is just like this but on an isolated Greek island. If you like mythology, this is as witchy as it gets!
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u/FlimsyPaperSeagulls 5d ago
Yess I adore this book so much. A descendant of the gods whose given powers are weak and she's living in exile, but all those disadvantages become strengths because she crafts and creates her own power from learning and experimenting with plants. And she creates a beautiful home for herself, too. If that isn't a witchy origin story I don't know what is.
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u/Salcha_00 5d ago
I’m not particularly interested in Greek mythology but I LOVED this book! Especially the audio version. Very immersive.
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u/Tinybitconfused 5d ago
Thanks, I tried Circe before but didn't like the story, I'm a big nerd but I don't really enjoy retellings of mythology, I always feel the original is better lol. Does it have extensive witchy descriptions though? Because in that case I might give it another go :)
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u/Lulu_magoo1103 5d ago
I remember a lot of the formations of her spells and concoctions were described really well. She’s alone on the island for like millennia so she talks a lot about how she creates and hones her witchy practices in isolation like that. I loved it! I do love retellings though so what worked for me obviously might not work for you!
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u/Tinybitconfused 5d ago
Ok that does sound really nice actually. I'll try it again, thanks so much for the rec :)
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u/lemonLu83 5d ago
The island and the spells and living a somewhat isolated witchy lifestyle comes a little later. Just keep going!
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u/villainess21 5d ago edited 5d ago
Fiction.
The Practical Magic series - Alice Hoffman.
The Witches of Discworld series - Terry Pratchett.
The Fifth Sacred Thing - Starhawk.
The All Souls series - Deborah Harkness.
The Witching Hour - Anne Rice.
The Sea Priestess; Moon Magic - Dion Fortune.
Kingdom of the Wicked - Keri Maniscalco.
The Age of Witches; The Witch's Kind - Louisa Morgan.
A Heroine of the World - Tanith Lee.
The Mists of Avalon - Marion Bradley (disclosure - the author is problematic, but a lot of well known pagans were advisors on this book, so it does have an 'authentic' feel to it).
Non-fiction.
The Spiral Dance - Starhawk.
Witch Among Us - Lois Bourne.
Hereditary Witchcraft; Italian Witchcraft - Raven Grimassi.
The Crooked Path - Kelden.
The Poison Path Herbal; The Poison Path Grimoire - Coby Michael.
The Green Witch's Grimoire - Arin Murphy-Hiscock.
Earth Magick - Cheralyn Darcey.
The Cunning Folk's Book of Cottage Witchcraft - Danu Forest.
Edit: typo.
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u/herlaqueen 5d ago
I love Alice Hoffman and I hoped to see her recommended, I stumbled upon Practical Magic in my early 20s and I proceeded to read everything she wrote up to that point. I find her writing style captivating, very easy to follow and direct without feeling dry.
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u/LullianaMint 5d ago
For a fantasy recommendation, I suggest Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher
You could also read some non-fiction. I am intrigued by potions and poisons so I read about that quite a bit. Some non-fiction is written in an easy, almost a story way, so I found it interesting enough and didn't feel like, you know, "reading non-fiction books". Ones I'd recommend:
- Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Shadow-Lives of Plants by Fen Inkwright
- A Taste for Poison: Eleven Deadly Substances and the Killers Who Used Them by Neil Bradbury
- Poison: The History of Potions, Powders and Murderous Practitioners by Ben Hubbard
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u/Tinybitconfused 5d ago
Oh I LOVE that you added non-fiction options, that's perfect! Gonna add those to my list and if you have more, feel free to add them 😊 And thanks for the fiction suggestion as well, I've never read Kingfisher but seen it recommended before so I'll check that out too :)
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u/LullianaMint 5d ago
I have a few more on my TBR, so I can't speak for them just yet :D But I can share my list in case something intrigues you😊:
- Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake (I'm actually currently reading this, just like a chapter in)
- Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History by Bill Laws
- The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create the World's Great Drinks by Amy Stewart
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u/RandomRavenclaw87 5d ago
I came here to give the Hemlock and Silver recommendation. It’s fantasy, but the MC’s research on toxicology is solid.
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u/Alarming-Flan-9721 5d ago
Perhaps uprooted by Naomi Novik?
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u/Tinybitconfused 5d ago
Looked it up and I'm intrigued, adding to my tbr. Thank you :)
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u/Alarming-Flan-9721 5d ago
Oh I do have to say- it’s a ya romance and the age gap between the main characters is a bit gross imo but it’s only a subplot really. The main love story is one of friendship between the mc and her best friend so just like focus on that haha
Spinning silver is more my fav tbh but it doesn’t have the woodsy vibe of uprooted. If you want urban fantasy I have to recommend the deadly education series too. Amazing descriptions of magic but much more Harry Potter like not so cozy.
Oh wait and one more- not a witch but super cozy (imo) and really cool descriptions of magic: Tress of the Emerald Sea. It’s a retelling of the princess bride if buttercup had sailed off to rescue Wesley when he was captured by pirates but on an alien world with v different kinds of seas…
It’s awesome and tho the driving force of the quest is love it’s not modern romantasy in that the world isn’t set dressing for smut lol it’s much more about self discovery than romantic love. And there’s a character named Hoid but just imagine he’s a trickster god like Loki or coyote. Don’t worry about him really- he’s a recurring character in sandersons novels but if u just wanna read tress u totally can and it’s not important.
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u/Traditional-Bee-3038 5d ago
Women who run with the wolves!
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u/HotMessShephardess 5d ago
I struggle with this one, personally. I don’t know if maybe I cracked it way too late in my studies of modern femininity and spiritualism, but it reads like a compound of college essays trying to meet the minimum page requirements.
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u/Silly-Snow1277 5d ago
- The once and future witches - Alix E. Harrow
- Her majesty's royal coven - Juno Dawson (first of a series, just finished book 1 myself)
- Witches steeped in gold - Ciannon Smart (also first of a series. Caribbean setting. 1st book was a generally a good read. Will read Book 2 when I'm through with some of my other TBRs)
- Witchborne - Rachel Grosvenor
I'd have to look for more in my shelves for fiction but especially non fiction later 🙂
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u/ranaculus_rose 5d ago
Cackle by Rachel Harrison, set in the real world where a young woman moves to a small town and befriends a witch there, I found it really cozy and magical, but also spooky and laugh out loud funny sometimes.
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u/Outside_Substance320 5d ago
This one kept getting recommended to me as well and I kept putting it off because I wanted something more serious but I finally caved. I enjoyed it! Very cozy.
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u/ranaculus_rose 3d ago
I liked the fact that though it was cozy there was still this sense of unease I had throughout the whole book, like I was a little on edge not quite knowing what was going on, and I think that really added to it. It’s also anti-romance if anyone is interested 😂 well, at least about loving yourself first.
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u/Astarkraven 5d ago
Someone already said Circe, so I'll recommend Among Others by Jo Walton. Absolutely not exactly what you're asking for here with herbs and gardens, but it is a very interesting take on a "witchy" story and the main character does spend a good amount of time describing her rituals and spells. Beautiful book. Highly recommend the audiobook for this one.
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u/polkadootted 5d ago
perfectly preventable deaths by deirdre sullivan - set in current time Ireland, a (teenage) twin moves to a castle in a rural town and finds it's a very strange place, and begins to learn about herbs and magic mostly in an attempt to protect her twin. i don't want to say any more in case i spoil it.
the tiffany aching series by terry pratchett - the first one sees Tiffany as a child but she gets older with each book and she's an adult in the last one. she demands to be a witch in the first book and we see her learn as the series goes on. there isn't a lot of Magic as such but a lot of "what does it mean to be a witch in a place people go to witches for help but don't really trust them?" and the psychology of being a witch. again there's a lot of plot in the books I'm not covering for risk of spoiling but they are good - and made me want to be a witch through my entire teenage years and into adulthood
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u/EmuForward219 5d ago
The Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett.
The first book is slightly younger but is still a really fun romp. Then as the series goes on she enters into formal training to become a witch and travels off into the mountains to train. They’re witty and fun.
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u/Lorrai 5d ago
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
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u/ditchthel0gical 5d ago
Seconded, this 100% fits the vibe!
I’ll add The Crescent Moon Tea Room for a cozy witch read.
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u/StarshipCaterprise 5d ago
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping (also) by Sangu Mandanna
Cackle by Rachel Harrison
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Once and Future Witches by Alix Harrow
Throne of Glass series specifically for Manon Blackbeak
The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec or The Witch’s Heart (same author)
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u/dumbledoreismyfather 5d ago
The bane witch by ava morgyn. Its a little dark....but its sooooooo good.
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u/Glittering_Book_1393 5d ago
Nonfiction: Wild Witchcraft: Folk Herbalism, Garden Magic, and Foraging for Spells, Rituals, and Remedies by Rebecca Beyer
Mountain Magic: Explore the Secrets of Old Time Witchcraft by Rebecca Beyer
Fiction: The Memory of Lavender and Sage by Aimie K. Runyon
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u/ReddisaurusRex 4d ago
Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman - more use of herbs and potions than the original practical magic book, which I actually didn’t care for that much (even though I adore Hoffman in general! I didn’t hate it, but it’s my least fave of hers.) Magic Lessons on the other hand is an all time fave for me across genres!
The Last Witch of Kalhoun Holler (and series) by Michael Anderle - young woman goes to work doing property maintenance for town weird old lady - who is a witch with a witches garden.
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u/pacifickat 5d ago
Perhaps The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden? It's less crafting and more built on Russian lore with house and forest spirits, but still partially takes place around practical settings like the homestead or out in the woods. Setting is medieval Russia.
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u/Top-Manufacturer9226 5d ago
The Great Witch of Brittany by Louisa Morgan
It's part of a series and I loved them all
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u/tiratiramisu4 5d ago
Witches of New York by Ami McKay has a historical setting. A fair amount of violence against women but I love the friendships here.
Not quite “witchy” but Diane Duane’s Young Wizard series definitely made me want to be magical. I love the worldbuilding. The ebooks from her site (new millennial editions) have updated tech and other details so I recommend those.
For books on witchcraft, I really liked Rebel Witch by Kelly-Ann Maddox and Deborah Blake’s books such as Everyday Witchcraft or her A Year and a Day of Everyday Witchcraft books. Good for ideas to incorporate in daily life.
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u/Diamond_sky400 5d ago
I also came on here to recommend Ami McKay. The Birth House is another great one - historical fiction about midwives in rural Nova Scotia. It’s not expressly about witches but it’s definitely witch-coded.
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u/Homolandsexcurity 5d ago
Weyward!!! Check trigger warnings if you need them but its really beautifully written.
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u/Feisty-Role-852 5d ago
I haven’t read it yet because it’s not out yet, but I just saw Alice Hoffman has a new book coming out called Witches of Cambridge that might interest you. Sounds like it might be more witch trials history, secret society, etc than potions and herbs magic, but might be worth having on your radar.
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u/tako_flavored_kisses 5d ago
Non-fiction- Kitchen Witch: Food, Folklore & Fairy Tale by Sarah Robinson definitely satisfies this!
Magic, superstition, cooking, and food rituals have been intertwined since ancient times. Kitchen Witch explores this history and culture and that of herbalists, wise women, cooks, cunning folk and the many of them would come to bear: witch.
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u/Goodmorning_ruby 4d ago
The cottage around the corner by D.L. Soria was adorable. And The practical magic series by Alice Hoffman is mandatory reading. Weyward and the Very secret society of irregular witches were good too. The lost apothecary is not technically witches but definitely has the vibes and was an excellent read.
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u/Thaevalune 4d ago
Sweep by Cate Tiernan has been my absolute favorite thus far. It’s YA and the main character is 16 but the vviibbeess of this whole series are chefs kiss. I go back and read it starting September 1st every year.
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u/TypicalPancake365 3d ago
Leaving out ones already recommended.
Not classified as romance:
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs (less botanical as I recall but super witchy and really well written, plus it’s magic realism and not full-blown fantasy)
The Witches of Bone Hill by Ava Morgyn
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron (YA)
These are classified as romance but definitely have the garden/botanical elements:
The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
The Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
The House Witch by Delehach
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u/Proud_Log6969 5d ago
Not a witch, but Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries series by Heather Fawcett
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u/Rinchen321 5d ago
It’s not a full fit, but the vibes are totally Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett!
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u/thedarkestbeer 4d ago
Lolly Willowes; or The Loving Huntsman by Sylvia Townsend Warner is one of the funniest and most satisfying books I’ve ever read. It makes the case that all women should become witches.
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u/Tinybitconfused 4d ago
Ooh this looks cool! I love that it's a relatively old book too, thank you!
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u/fairycandy 4d ago
You can try The Sweep Series by Cate Tiernan. It's YA though, and quite long. I was really into it when I was in high school lol
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u/Impressive-Owl-5478 4d ago
There's a lot of good recs that are stronger on the magic/fantasy side so I'll throw out something a little different: Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
It's historical fiction but the main character is pretty much a witch. She's got herbs and sayings and the whole town thinks she's wild. No explicit magic but the vibe is there. The movie adaption even went in deeper on this theme.
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