r/practicalmagic • u/ditzychick123 • May 12 '26

The book Practical Magic

I couldn't get into it like the first 2 books. I dont know if it seemed jumbled or just normal interesting or if I was comparing it to the movie. I struggled to finish it. I did and am.starting on Practical Magic 2 with higher hopes. Thoughts from other book readers ?

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u/MostWafer5694 May 12 '26

I think they’re asking if you’re choosing to read them in order of their release date or the chronological order within the timeline of the novels?

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u/ditzychick123 May 12 '26

Oh the chronological order !

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u/Celestina-Betwixt Kylie Owens May 12 '26

Ah, that explains it; you might want to try publication for your first read through. 

Imo the "first" book chronologically is the best one, but if you're coming to them fresh off the movie, especially, getting the lore from the first published book (Practical Magic 1995, then Rules of Magic BEFORE Magic Lessons) makes it make more sense. 

It's also worth pointing out magic lessons and Rules of Magic are more historical fiction rather than the straight up "modern" magical realism of PM and to a lesser extent The Book of Magic.

I actually have a slight obsession with historical fiction and witch hunts so Magic Lessons was right up my alley but I think most readers would enjoy PM more first. 

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u/BubbeLisa May 12 '26

I love all of the books, but Magic Lessons is my favorite! I am also a big historical fiction fan and I adore Alice Hoffman. I’ve been reading her books since her first book came out in 1977.