Fall is once again upon us, bookworms! As the days grow shorter and the air gets crisper, fall offers the perfect backdrop for a cozy reading session. Doesn’t matter if you’re looking for historical fiction, a dash of fantasy, or tales steeped in mystery and magic, our team at Bookstr has you covered. Grab your favorite blanket, pour a hot beverage, and dive into these spellbinding stories!
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Set in 17th-century Connecticut, The Witch of Blackbird Pond follows Kit Tyler, a young girl who moves to a Puritan colony after her grandfather’s death. Her free-spirited nature and friendship with an outsider (and rumored witch), Hannah Tupper, put her at odds with the deeply religious community. Kit must navigate her identity and loyalty, all while confronting the prejudices of her new home.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s incredibly popular tragedy weaves a dark tale of a Scottish general named Macbeth who receives a prophecy from three witches, predicting he will become king. Consumed by ambition, Macbeth and his wife take matters into their own hands, leading to madness, murder, and betrayal.
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
This beloved classic follows Dorothy Gale, who is swept away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. Joined by the Scarecrow, Tinman, and Cowardly Lion, Dorothy embarks on a quest to find the Wizard, hoping he can help her return home to Kansas. Along the way, she confronts the Wicked Witch of the West, one of literature’s most famous villains.
The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike
In the sleepy Rhode Island town of Eastwick, three women—Alexandra, Jane, and Sukie—discover they have witch-like powers after their husbands leave them. When the mysterious and devilish Daryl Van Horne arrives, their powers intensify, leading to a series of scandalous and magical events.
The Witches by Roald Dahl
In this quirky children’s novel, a young boy discovers that witches—who loathe children—are real, and they’re hiding in plain sight. After a terrifying encounter with the Grand High Witch, he must figure out how to stop their evil plot to turn children into mice.
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
Anne Rice weaves a gothic tale of the haunted Mayfair family in The Witching Hour. When neurosurgeon Rowan Mayfair inherits her family’s eerie mansion, she is drawn into the dark history of her ancestors, filled with witchcraft, secrets, and power.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
In this modern-day fantasy-turned-television series, Diana Bishop, a historian who happens to be a reluctant witch, stumbles upon a mysterious manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. As she unravels its secrets, she attracts the attention of powerful creatures — including the enigmatic vampire Matthew Clairmont. Together, they are drawn into an ancient mystery and a forbidden romance.
These are just a few witchy classics to put a spell on you just in time for spooky season. Each story offers something unique, from those fizzy, witchy vibes to dramatic twists, making them ideal reads for anyone looking for a nice creepy read on cold nights.
If you like these chilling tales, check out this horrific recommendation list!
Looking for some more supernatural, spooky reads, check out this list.
FEATURED IMAGE VIA BOOKSTR / GRAY O’DELL
