Autumn is here! Like many others, this is my favorite season. If you asked me why, I don’t think I could answer with any specific reason. Instead, I’d answer with some of my favorite memories: the huge piles of fallen leaves that my brother, sisters, and I would jump into; early morning cups of tea before the sunrise with my great-grandmother; and the most delicious warm pumpkin bread fresh out of the oven on chilly rainy days at my grandmother’s. Autumn is connected, quite heavily, to so many of my most cherished memories.

Another of my autumn memories, which might be a universal experience, is the movies and television shows I watched that really imbued the feelings of the change in season and the magical essence that it enhanced. This vibe really sets up nicely my favorite theme of the season: Witchcraft. While you might be drawn to read classics like The Harry Potter series, Goosebumps, or various Stephen King novels, let me instead introduce you to some books similar to some of my favorite witch-y movies.

Autumn-y Book Picks

As a millennial, most of my favorite movies come from my childhood. Disney Channel Original Movie Halloweentown is no exception. A coming-of-age story about discovering something magical from within and navigating family secrets, Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse perfectly encompasses that feeling of discovery and confusion. Ted Naifeh’s Witch for Hire continues this self-discovery and what it means to let people know the real you. 

A classic with a very recent sequel, Hocus Pocus is a movie that entertains generations. Everything in this movie is pure *magic*. Following the journey of a young witch faced with danger and difficult decisions, The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco takes a darker look at what life with witches can be like. At 407 pages long, this book is sure to keep you entertained on those long autumn evenings.    

A guilty pleasure of mine, The Good Witch, provides hours of entertainment in the form of movies and a multi-season television series. The Bell, Book & Candle universe is charming and mystical. Similarly, these two series are just as magnetic: Enchanted Bay Mystery and The Accidental Witch Trilogy. A Spell for Trouble and A Hex for Danger by Esme Addison, are mysteries that will get you questioning who you can trust in the enchanting setting of a small seaside town. The Kitchen Witch, My Favorite Witch, and The Scot, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by Annette Blair, are part of a trilogy that is a bit more romantic than the rest of these recommendations, following the mishaps of three best friends and their accidental journey to love. 

Speaking of love, Practical Magic explores the importance of sisterhood, love, and all the many things that can go wrong and the important things that can go according to spell. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penne, also follows magical misfortunes and the strength a witch might need to survive. The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling takes a comedic approach to romance and how a spell gone wrong just might have been right after all.  

Still haven’t found something you like? Here are some more recommendations:

All images in this blog post were provided by Ashley Senesac.