There's nothing I love more than a little seasonal mood reading. Whether it's cozy witches, magical romcoms or something a little darker, my fall reading list has room for all three. These are five witchy books I’ve read and loved, plus the one I’m reading now and can’t put down. Pick your mood, then pick your next read!
For a little romance with your witchcraft
My first read from Sangu Mandanna follows a witch who takes a job teaching three young witches how to use their magic. Along the way, she meets a handsome librarian and discovers what family can look like. The romance is part of the appeal, but so is watching someone find a place where she belongs. If you want a cozy October read, start here.
For cozy magic and found family
This was my second Sangu Mandanna read, and I gave it five stars. There’s the cozy day-to-day business of running an inn, plus an undead rooster named Roo-Roo. But my favorite detail is that only people who need the inn can find it. It’s the perfect setup for a story about finding your people, with enough oddball magic to keep things interesting.
For your romcom fix
A charming protagonist, a quirky little town and a romance with some magical complications. This is my pick when I want the fun of a romcom with enough witchcraft to make it feel right for October. It’s a good choice for the reader whose ideal fall setting is a small town with a little supernatural chaos.
For the feminist in you
Set in 1893, this novel follows three sisters who are witches and suffragettes. Their fight for women’s rights is woven into the magic, making witchcraft a way to claim power in a world that would rather they had none. Come for the witches; stay for a story about sisterhood and finding your voice.
My pick for this October
I haven’t finished this one yet, but I’m hooked. It follows three women across different timelines, and I keep reading to see how their stories will come together. The shifting perspectives give me another reason to turn the page: each time I leave one woman’s story, I want to get back to it. Check the content warnings before you start—this isn’t one of the cozy picks.
For your dark academia fix
M. L. Wang tells beautiful stories, and this is one of my very favorite books. It grabbed me from the first chapter. Sciona’s discovery of a dark secret drives the story, but the unique magic system is a big part of what makes it stand out. This one belongs on the darker end of the list, and it’s about mages rather than witches. If an immersive world and dark academia are your idea of fall reading, this is my pick.
For when you’d rather press play
A witch, a mysterious manuscript and a romance with a vampire: A Discovery of Witches has plenty to keep you watching. It starts with an academic mystery at Oxford, then takes you around Europe and into a world where witches, vampires and demons have complicated relationships. There’s romance, intrigue and a little dark academia, all wrapped up in a fun story. If you want to keep the magical mood going after you put your book down, this is my pick.
Whether you want a cozy escape or a darker world to get lost in, there’s a little magic here for your next fall evening.