15 Best Books About Witches

Witches are a big part of modern media. You can find them in movies, TV shows, video games, and books. Ever since the Middle Ages when witches first got noticed they have been a major part of the world moving forward. We’ve already discussed some of the most famous witches along with the different types of witches, so we thought we’d provide you with a host of books about witches so you can find out more about this spellcasting. 

These books vary from novels featuring famous fictional witches and modern romances to non-fiction accounts of witch trials and books that have been adapted for the big screen. Some you might recognize while others will be new to you. What they all have in common is that they contain witches as central characters and are all worth a read, depending on the type of book you enjoy of course. 

15 Best Books About Witches

1. Harry Potter Paperback Box Set – J. K. Rowling

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Harry Potter might not be a witch, but this famous book series from J. K. Rowling contains plenty of characters who are. If you need an explanation of what the Harry Potter series is about, you must have been sleeping under a rock. In short, young wizard Harry Potter goes to wizarding school where he soon discovers he’s a talented spell caster set for great things. 

This collection contains all seven books in the main series and comes in a nice box featuring some great artwork. While Rowling might be public enemy number these days due to her archaic views, these books are still loved by children and adults around the world. Highly recommend.

2. Practical Magic – Alice Hoffman

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You might not know this but the Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock movie Practical Magic is actually based on a book. Written by Alice Hoffman, the book is much better than the film. The plot focuses on orphan sisters Gillian and Sally Owens who have grown up surrounded by witchcraft. While they have tried to escape 200 years of history, the sister’s bond and connection to the dark arts brings them back together. 

First released in 1998, Practical Magic got rave reviews and has remained Hoffman’s biggest release to date. She followed it up with two prequels, The Rules of Magic in 2017 and Magic Lessons in 2020, and one sequel, The Book of Magic in 2021. 

3. The Witches – Roald Dahl

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Roald Dahl has written many classic children’s books, such as James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Another great novel by the Welsh author is The Witches, which, as the title states, is all about witches. It’s actually fairly dark for a children’s novel, with the plot concerning a group of witches in England who plan on turning all the children in the country into mice. 

First released in 1983, the book received mixed reviews but became a hit when it was adapted as a movie in 1990. The film stays fairly true to the book, with Angelica Houston playing The Grand High Witch who comes to England to put her plan – turning all the kids into mice – into action. 

Movie aside, The Witches is a fantastic fiction novel about evil witches and the young kids tasked with stopping them from carrying out their evil plan. Drawing inspiration from his childhood, Dahl is at the top of his game with another entertaining novel. 

4. Six Women of Salem: The Untold Story of the Accused and Their Accusers in the Salem Witch Trails – Marilynne K. Roach

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The most famous witch trial occurred in and around Salem between February 1692 and May 1693. Instigated by a group of girls who accused several locals of being witches, over 200 people were accused of practicing the dark arts. Of these, 30 were found guilty, 19 of whom were hanged and a few who died in prison. 

Six Women of Salem: The Untold Story of the Accused and Their Accusers in the Salem Witch Trails is a deep dive into six women who were targeted, revealing the true story behind what happened to them and the persecution they received. A startling book that will have you thinking twice before calling someone out. 

5. A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness

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The first book in a trilogy, A Discovery of Witches is an exciting and magical fantasy novel about Diana Bishop, a young witch who also happens to be a history of science teacher. Although she has never used her powers, Bishop stumbles upon a lost manuscript that forces her to confront her magical past. This one has a bit of everything, with other witches, creatures, and even a vampire showing up.

As author Deborah Harkness is an actual historian, there is lots of fact-based information included throughout the book. Along with A Discovery of Witches, there are two follow-up novels, Shadow of Night and The Book of Life. British network Sky One purchased the rights to the novels and turned it into a series, with three seasons having been produced. 

6. Akata Witch – Nnedi Okorafor

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Akata Witch comes from Nigerian-American writer Nnedi Okorafor and is a wonderful fantasy adventure. The plot revolves around 12-year-old Sunny Nwazue, an African albino born in America but living in Nigeria. Although good at sports, she is unable to go out in the sun, which leads to her finding out she has magical abilities. She is approached by several covens who offer to take her in and teach her how to use her powers. She then finds herself trying to track down a serial killer before it’s too late. 

This novel was a big hit when released in 2011 and won numerous awards, including being announced as Amazon’s book of the year. Two sequels followed Akata Warrior in 2017 and Akata Woman in 2022. 

7. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane – Katherine Howe

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Debuting in second spot on the New York Times best-seller list, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane mixes fact with fiction. It focuses on two characters; Deliverance Dane during the Salem witch trials in 1682 and research student Connie Goodwin in 1991.

Trying to sell her Grandmother’s home in Salem, Goodwin stumbles upon an ancient key and a 17th-century bible with a piece of parchment that reads “Deliverance Dane.” Determined to find out who she is, Goodwin begins investigating and quickly finds herself haunted by nightmares of the past and seeing visions of events that have already happened. 

This is a well-written book with lots of great research from author Katherine Howe. Although she has written several more books, this remains her most well-received, 

8. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch – Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

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Two of the UK’s most popular fantasy writers joined forces in 1990 for this delightful novel. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, consists of several different intertwining stories about the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley trying to stop the end of days. Enjoying their life in England, the duo tries their best to put a stop to the forthcoming armageddon.

This book is hilarious and demonstrates why Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman are so highly regarded. Each has his own style, but together they manage to make it work seamlessly. While the main characters might not be witches, there are several featured, in particular Agnes Nutter.

As is often the case when a book is a success, Good Omens was turned into a television series by Amazon starring Martin Sheen (Aziraphale) and David Tenant (Crowley). While not as good as the books, it’s still a very funny and lively series with great performances from the two leads. 

9. The Babysitters Coven – Kate M. Williams

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This modern take on witches is about two babysitters who are completely different but soon find out they both share something in common: ties to the occult. The Babysitters Coven has been described as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets The Babysitters Club. So far there are two action-packed novels in this series, with a third believed to be in the works. 

Although aimed at young teen girls, there is enough here for most adult witch lovers to enjoy. Author Kate M. Williams, who has written for a slew of teen magazines, has a great grasp on what young girls want to read. 

10. The Witches of Eastwick – John Updike

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You’re probably more familiar with the film version of John Updike’s fantastic 80s novel. Starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer, The Witches of Eastwick was a moderate success but veers away from much of the book’s plot.

The novel focuses on three young women who gain powers after the deaths of their husbands. They form a coven and are soon seduced by a rich newcomer who they eventually take revenge on after he abandons them for a younger woman. 

The book is much darker than the film and has been called pro-feminist by some and misogynistic by others. However you see it, this is a great book with some heavy themes well worth picking up. 

11. A Secret History of Witches – Louisa Morgan

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This historical epic spans five generations of witches as they battle to save their family name from evil forces. The first in a series of novels by accomplished author Louisa Morgan has an engaging plot and great characters. It’s one of those books you find hard to put down and end up staying up late trying to finish it. 

There are lots of dark magic and magical powers being used by the characters in this book, with plenty of drama and supernatural elements to keep fantasy lovers happy. 

12. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West – Gregory Maguire

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The first book in The Wicked Years series is a revisionist look at the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels. Given the name Elphaba, the book follows the life and times of the witch from her conception due to rape, her vilification as a witch, and eventual death at the hands of Dorothy.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West tries to paint Elphaba in a better light, showing she was more the victim than an evil person. It’s an interesting take on the character and makes for a great read, showcasing Maguire’s celebrated prose. The book has been turned into an even more successful broadway show that is still touring the globe. 

13. The Once and Future Witches – Alix E. Harrow

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The second novel by award-winning author Alix E. Harrow is set a couple of centuries after the Salem witch trials. Witches are no longer a thing until the Eastwood sisters discover they have ungodly powers. Wanting to spark a new resurgence in witches, the Eastwood siblings find themselves kicked out of their local coven, forcing them to join a new one. Women’s rights and feminist issues are at the forefront of the book’s storyline. 

Once again Harrow delivers a sensational novel following on from the success of her debut, The Ten Thousand Doors of January. This New York Times bestseller has been well received by critics and booklovers and is a great starting point for anyone looking to begin their journey into reading books about women who cast spells and ride on broomsticks. 

14. Missing Witches: Recovering True Histories of Feminist Magic – Risa Dickens and Amy Torok

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This non-fiction book examines what it’s like to be a witch and all that entails. It delves into rituals, spirits, and the history of witches and magic. Dickens and Torok dive deep into the connection between magic and feminism and look at the social, political, and spiritual impacts being a witch can have on a person. 

Many famous witches from the past are discussed and dissected, while modern witches also get a look in. You’ll discover a lot about the history of witches and how they are still relevant today. 

15. The Crucible – Arthur Miller

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Arthur Miller’s famous play about the Salem witch trials is well worth reading if you’re keen on finding out more about the history of witches and the infamous trial. Although fictionalized, it still makes for a great read. Split into four acts, the play features real-life historical figures who were involved in the trials. 

Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism and almost found himself in jail for his views. The Crucible became a widely read publication that has been revised and revisited by many different theatre companies over the years. It’s also been turned into a film and television play, with the most notable version coming in 1996 and starring  Paul Scofield, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Winona Ryder. 

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