5 Witchy Books for Fall

I know this post is very late. I totally meant to have this out around the end of September but I certainly dropped the ball, and that's okay because it's still Fall! Besides, even if it weren't Fall or doesn't feel like Fall where you are, there is nothing wrong with reading some spooky witch books. Below is a list of some of my favorite witch books for Fall. With each book, I have included some awesome teas that go perfectly with the stories.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

1. The Midnight Witch by Paula Brackston- This book is an enchantingly dark Victorian tale, telling the story of Lady Lilith Montgomery who inherits the role of Head Witch of the Lazarus Coven. Lilith is especially gifted at speaking with the dead, and when the Sentinels, a group of dark sorcerers threaten her well-being she uses these gifts to protect those she loves. While her coven has a strict creed of secrecy and silence, Lilith risks it all for the man she loves. I love the spirit communication that takes place in this book compared to others that include similar tales. I could have done without some of the love storylines, but overall, this is a great book to read when the veil is thin. As the nights grow longer, the dead are more apt to want to talk, so why not curl up on the couch with a warm blanket and enjoy this book? "The dead are seldom silent. All that is required for them to be heard is that someone be willing to listen..."

I suggest sipping on Spirit Communication Tea from Healing Spirits while reading this book. It contains lemon balm, roses, oats, wood betony, Ginko, and motherwort, which will open the channels to communicate with the spirit realm. Of course, if you don't want them interrupting your reading, try Harney & Son's Royal Palace Tea.

2. The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco- This series is incredible! I haven't been able to make it through a single book in this trilogy without being overcome with emotions. The Bone Witch follows Tea, a bone witch (necromancer) who accidentally raises her dead brother, Fox. Feared by her community, she is taken away by an older bone witch who teachers her how to use her powers. Bone witches are a dying breed, needed to raise and lay to rest daeva who plague the kingdoms. Dark forces, however, interfere and Tea must figure out how to save herself and do what she feels is right, despite what others may think. There are so many twists and turns and I love how inclusive this book is.

I suggest drinking green tea while reading this Asian inspired tale. 

3. The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman- I finished this amazing book full of witchcraft, mystery, and death earlier this year. Honestly, I read it in 2 days it was that food. Violet Saunders and her mother make their way back to Four Paths, New York, her mother's hometown, after Violet's sister tragically dies in a car accident. Violet is soon introduced to the founding families and realizes the episodes she has been experiencing are not all in her head after all. Despite their best efforts, the founding families are struggling to keep evil at bay. The Gray is slowly becoming more powerful, taking the lives of the townsfolk regularly. Violet accidentally unleashes the beast and must work with her newfound friends to save the town. This is the first book in this series, so expect to be ordering the second, The Deck of Omens, as soon as you finish this one. 

I suggest pairing this story with Baba Yaga by Adagio Teas. The warm vanilla Oolong notes mixed with the Russian Caravan blend mix beautifully with this dark tale.

4. The Witches of BlackBrook by Tish Thawer- I had been eyeing this book since it was released and was so excited when it got it for Yule a couple years ago. Thawer mixes witchcraft, Wicca, and history into one beautiful story about three sisters whose spirits are desperate to reunite after they are separated during the Salem witch trials. Only through reuniting will they reach their full potential, but dark forces are keen on keeping them apart. The Witches of BlackBrook is the first of three in the series. You'll make it through this beautiful, fall story.

This book is best paired with Harney & Sons Cranberry Autumn Tea, a fire, and a warm blanket.

5. And The Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich- So this really isn't a witch book, but it will freak you out nonetheless. At least...it scared me. Written in a very untraditional manner, And The Trees Crept In is told from the perspective of Silla, who, along with her little sister Nori, make their way to Blood Manor to escape their abusive father. Silla is warned to stay out of the forest, but in an act of desperation, she enters anyway and if followed by a man. Day by day the trees creep closer to the manor and Silla slowly descends into a nightmare.

This book is best paired with Harney & Sons Hot Apple Spice Tea, an ode to Silla's apple-eating attempts.

And there you have it, 5 witchy books for Fall, or really any time of the year. I noticed after I took the picture that almost all of the covers were purple. How fitting considering purple is the color of magic! Have you read any good witch books lately? Share them in the comments below!

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7 Witchy Books for Spring and Summer

Spring and summer are excellent times to sit down with a book outside in the fresh air along the beach while the waves crash in the distance. With quarantine still in effect in much of the world, there isn't much to do other than reading! I've been doing a lot of reading lately and I have put together 7 witchy books to read this spring and summer. As before, each book is paired with a fabulous tea, whether it's chilled or warm. I'm sorry, but tea is for all year, not just in the fall and winter.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

1. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen- This is a fairly popular book among the witch community, just like Practical Magic. In fact, this story is very similar to Practical Magic in that it tells the story of two sisters, one who carefully manages the family home cooking delicious, magical creations from the family garden while the rebellious sister runs amuck until she ends up back home with a daughter seeking refuge. Needless to say, its a fun quick read that is sure to delight as you sit among your own garden or at the local park. 

I suggest sipping on Mother's Bouquet by Harney & Sons over ice while reading this book. It contains chamomile, rosebuds, cornflower, and orange peel, making it the perfect floral delight to accompany the story. 

2. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw- I read this book last year and devoured it in a weekend. Ernshaw has a gift with words, so much so I could feel the cold breeze on my face and smell the salty air of Sparrow. The Wicked Deep tells the tale of the town of Sparrow that drowns three sisters accused of witchcraft around the same time as the Salem Witch Trials. The sisters subsequently return each summer, dragging unsuspecting townsfolk and tourists to their watery deaths from June 1st until the Summer Solstice. Penny, a local girl, can see these sisters and is torn between saving her love interest or herself. There are so many beautiful lines in this book, but there are three in particular that I loved beyond all others. 

"Love is an enchantress- devious and wild. It sneaks up behind you, soft and gentle and quiet, just before it slits your throat." 

"But magic is not always so linear. It was born from odium. From love. From revenge." 

And finally "Magic is a tricky thing. Not easily measured or metered or weighed."

It's not full of a bunch of witchcraft, but I enjoyed the story greatly. 

I suggest drinking a strong black tea with a dash of sugar and milk with this tale. Despite it occurring in the summer, you are bound to get the chills reading this one. 

3. The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert- Another quick read, this fantasy meets horror story follows young Alice on her quest to find her mother who was stolen away by characters from her grandmother's cult-classic fairy tale compilation on the Hinterlands after her grandmother dies alone in her mansion known as Hazel Wood. She teams up with an unlikely classmate who is a fan of Alice's grandmother's work in an attempt to solve the mystery and bring Alice's mother home. There are some Alice In Wonderland-esque moments, but overall, unique. I will say, there is a bit of ableism in the book, but other than that I enjoyed the read. 

I suggest pairing this horror story with Peaches and Ginger Tea by Harney & Sons. The peach flavors scream of summer while the ginger has a bite that compliments this dark tale well. Drink warm or over ice. 

4. The Hunter's Moon by O.R. Melling- This book is the first in a series of books about fairies, but this one can easily be read on its own without thought to the other books. Despite this, the whole Chronicle of Faerie series is fantastic and all of the books are summer reads. The Hunter's Moon, however, follows Gwen and her Irish cousin Findabhair who spend the summer traveling around Ireland visiting historical faerie sites. One night Fin is stolen away by the Faerie King and Gwen must find a way to get her cousin back before its too late.

Pair this book with an Irish breakfast tea for the sake of honoring Ireland. Besides, nothing wakes up one from a night of romping with the faeries like a stout Irish breakfast tea.

5. The Tree Shepherd's Daughter by Gillian Summers- This is another book in a long series (of 7 books, actually), but again, this one can be read alone. After her mother dies tragically, Keelie Heartwood is forced to move in with her father, a woodworker in a traveling Renaissance festival. Keelie doesn't know much about her father, and her "allergy" to wood and slightly pointed ears has her wondering if it has something to do with him. She quickly realizes there is more to the fair folk than there seems, and when disaster strikes Keelie must find a way to save herself and the others. I have actually read this book more than once, as it always gets me ready to go to Renn Fest, which occurs in the spring and early summer here in Georgia. This year, however, the festival will occur in October, but I still plan to grace these pages once again. Its another YA book, but perfect for as a quick read while on vacation or over a long weekend.

I would pair this book with Pink Rose Lemonade Tea from The Tea Spot. The unique floral concoction with a hint of lemon is calming and refreshing on a hot summer day. 

6. The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black- If you have never read anything from Holly Black, you definitely should. All of her books on faeries are beautiful, fun, and quick reads, perfect for spring and summer. The Darkest Part of the Forest tells the story of siblings Hazel and Ben and the boy in the glass coffin with horns and pointed ears that suddenly awakes turning the whole town of Fairfold is turned upside down. I loved all the twists and turns in this wonderful book, and the inclusivity; that the girl is the warrior and the brother the lover.

Pair this book with Wedding Tea by Harney & Sons. This is my best friend's favorite tea and always reminds me of love. The lemon and vanilla pair beautifully together while the rosebuds tie it all together. While this story is intense at times, the deep love the characters have for one another sings throughout the story, making Wedding Tea a perfect pair.

7. The Waking Forest by Alyssa Wees- This is another slight horror meets fairytale. For the longest time, Rhea has been the only one to see a dense forest appear and disappear before her eyes. Each time, a scream pierces the sky, leaving Rhae feeling anxious and afraid. To the Witch, the forest is her home and a place of wishes for the children that visit her in their dreams. But suddenly, a mysterious shadowy figure appears in Rhea's attic and her mother and sisters begin going missing. Rhea's world collides with that of the Witch's and nothing is as it seems. This book takes a very serious turn on its head, leaving you screaming "WHAT?!" at the pages. Think M. Night Shamalan. Seriously.

I suggest drinking Seashore Breeze Iced Blend by Beach House Teas with this book. The unique combination of peppermint, spearmint, black tea, rosemary, ginger, hibiscus, and lemon peel will shock your tastebuds with each twist and turn of flavor, just as this tale will have your mind reeling. Plus, there is a lot of beach or beach-esque scenes in the book, making Seashore Breeze a great compliment to the story.

And there you have it, 7 witchy books for spring and summer that are sure to get you through the warm days ahead. Is there a witchy book you enjoy reading in the spring or summer? Have a tea you think pairs well with one of these books? Let me know in the comments below!

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5 Witchy Books for Winter

I love reading...like a lot. I think I have made that pretty obvious on the blog over the years. Books are one of the best ways to learn and grow, apart from actually doing what it is you are learning about, of course. Reading is also an excellent escape, one that I find myself turning too more often lately as the winter blues continue to set in. I've always been a devoted, passionate reader. Well, that's a lie. When I was in elementary school I struggled with reading and reading comprehension, but no one really knew why. I was a brilliant kid and extremely creative, but I struggled with reading. It wasn't until I had a teacher sit down with me and teach me a "new" way to read and look at the world of books that it finally clicked. From that point on I devoured as many books as I could. Every Christmas I had several books on my wish list. I went to Barnes and Noble and Borders religiously. I checked out books from the library and otherwise surrounded myself with all the books I could get my hands on. Not surprisingly, I surrounded myself with folklore and fantasy books. They were a great escape and the closest I could get at the time to reading about things I experienced as a child. It wasn't until high school that I finally started purchasing New Age books, and it wasn't until my senior year that an art teacher, of all people, realized I had a learning disability that hindered my ability to read and understand language. Like I said, I was brilliant, later labeled as gifted, and was able to compensate for my learning disability my entire life. But I digress. The point I am trying to make is that books are amazing and you don't have to be a good reader to enjoy a good story.

I've been mulling this post over for quite some time and decided today is the perfect time to discuss a couple of my favorite witchy books and the tea I like to read with them. Again, I love tea about as much as I love books, if not more. Because I love books so much, I broke the post down into seasons. Expect to see a Spring/Summer list in May and a Fall list in September. There are just so many books that I couldn't pick just a few.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

1. The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston- Most people know Paula Brackston for her book The Witch's Daughter, which is probably one of my least favorite of hers. However, I adore The Silver Witch. Both female leads are strong, independent women who don't need a man to come along and save them. I think this is part of the reason I loved the book so much. Brackston is a gifted writer and always tells a beautiful tale, especially the parts that take place throughout history. In The Silver Witch, Brackston tells the tales of two women: Tilda, a modern-day artist who recently lost her husband, and Seren, a witch and shaman who lived during Celtic times. Their fates are intertwined and together they must face down a great evil. Seren is by far my favorite witch in all of Brackston's books. She is strong, independent, elegant, and full of love and surprises. She is such a fierce character, one I identify with greatly. Being a shaman, Seren is also able to communicate with the beyond to receive messages and I loved how Brackston portrays her character in this book.

I suggest sipping a strong Darjeeling tea, which is also suggested on page 39, while enjoying the book cuddled up in a nice, fluffy blanket.

2. The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston- Yeah, another Brackston book, but I really enjoy her writing style. This story, aptly named, follows a young witch named Morgana. Unlike everyone else in town, Morgana does not speak and is sent off to wed a local herder she barely knows. However, some force is dead set on destroying Morgana's life and she must work to lift the curse threatening her new life. While the lead woman of this book is sometimes frustrating at times, I found the romance beautifully enchanting. I also loved how Brackston incorporated local Welsh myths of wishing wells into this story.

I suggest drinking Winter White Earl Grey by Harney & Sons with a splash of milk and sugar while reading this lovely tale. I'm not really sure why, but London Fog always reminds me of the moors and warms my soul on cold winter nights.

3. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab- I recently finished this book (like within the first 3 days of 2020 starting), and was instantly in love with the characters. The Near Witch tells the tale of the small town of Near where the inhabitants tell the tale of the Near Witch singing in the wind. When a stranger shows up in town and children begin to go missing, the townsfolk blame the newcomer while Lexi, a young girl who lives with her mother and sister on the edge of town, suspects the Near Witch may be behind it. Lexi is a headstrong tomboy who isn't afraid to get a little muddy to save her little sister's life. She teams up with the ashy newcomer, Cole, to find the children and clear Cole's name.

I suggest an earthy, smoky tea such as Black Cask Bourbon by Harney & Sons. I suggest this because of Cole's smoky past and because bourbon reminds me of windy moors. This tea is full-bodied and sure to warm you up.

4. The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson- The Snow Queen is a Danish fairy tale from 1844 and has been the inspiration for many a tale since then. In fact, Disney's Frozen is one such take on this tale. This story tells the tale of Kai and Gerda, two children who live next door to each other in a small town. They grow up hearing the tales of the Snow Queen and one winter the queen whisks Kai away. The town believes Kai dead, but Gerda, determined to get to the bottom of his disappearance, sets off to find him. Its a beautiful story and available for free online.

I suggest pairing this tale with a peppermint tea. Peppermint always gives me the "chills" and goes well with this story.

5. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis- Yeah...the man was a Christian and the whole series is about it, but that doesn't mean we can't love it all the same. In my opinion, this is a pretty darn pagan book! If it's not up your alley, try His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman which was written in response to C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and it about "killing God." Either way, both books are full of snow-filled adventures that are great for both young and old. I adore both stories and if reading them isn't in the cards this winter, the movies are fantastic as well. His Dark Materials was also recently turned into an HBO series, with The Golden Compass premiering as season 1. Be prepared though. The TV show is not for young children.

I suggest pairing this book with Harney & Son's Chocolate Peppermint tea. Chocolate and peppermint always remind me of Yule and winter and magic and goes well with both of the stories listed above. And if tea isn't your thing, a warm cup of hot chocolate is just as magical!

And there you have it, 5 witchy books for winter that are sure to get you through these final chilling weeks. Is there a witchy book you enjoy reading in the winter? Have a tea you think pairs well with one these books? Let me know in the comments below!

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