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A Discovery of Witches (Movie Tie-In)
Deborah Harkness
Fiction: Fanciful as well as historical, Harkness creates a veracity within this trilogy that’s difficult to achieve in fiction. Like many modern witches, Diana Bishop tries to deny her powers, only to find them taking over her life. Intelligently romantic witch fiction with one the most compelling vampires ever created. Deborah Harkness, herself a historian, has created a world of alchemy, magic, and mystery so compelling that you’ll want to linger.
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The Penguin Book of Witches
Katherine Howe, editor
Non-fiction: This is one of the better source books for anyone interested in the historical accounts of the witch trials of both New England and Europe. Howe’s insights and writing style make this wealth of material accessible for all readers, not just those involved in research.
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Practical Magic
Alice Hoffman
Fiction: A classic, this book initially piqued my interest in all things magical. Sisters Gillian and Sally Owens are blamed for everything that goes wrong in their Massachusetts town. With aunts who are practicing witches—ostracized publicly, yet sought out when love spells are called for—this is a classic woman’s tale. Humor, mystery and great family dynamics make this one of my favorite stories.
I’m taking a moment to reflect on some of the books that have inspired me. This collection is eclectic: including historical accounts of the Salem Witch Trials along with fictional depictions and even some fanciful storytelling featuring modern-day witches who reflect the role strong women have always played in this continuing narrative. Like myself, many of the writers listed here were inspired by ancestral ties to Salem’s executions. With blame and persecution of those we consider “other” as alive as ever in the world, Salem’s cautionary tale remains relevant if only to keep history from repeating.
Featured image:Romolo Tavani/Shutterstock.comAuthor Photo: © Scott Booth Photography
Author Photo: © Scott Booth Photography
