Melissa Febos
[isbn]
This book makes a deeply affirming argument in favor of "navel gazing." It gives us permission to tell our most personal stories, and argues that this telling, especially when done by women (or other members of groups whose stories have been historically suppressed or trivialized), is radical, healing, and transformative. I needed this book so badly, and I hope it helps others to take control of the narratives of their own lives.
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Elissa Washuta
[isbn]
Interwoven with mystical themes it challenges as much as celebrates, White Magic is a layered, structurally innovative memoir. It is many things: a narrative about addiction and what lives beneath it; a map of landscapes, both physical and emotional; an unearthing of generational trauma; a story about feeling lost in a place that’s supposed to be home. Ultimately, heartbreak leads Washuta to find her own authority... as a "powerful... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Lauren Wolk
[isbn]
A deeply moving and beautifully written middle grade historical novel set during the Great Depression, Echo Mountain features a wise old hag, untamed wilderness, and a lovable protagonist. A coming-of-age story that celebrates folk medicine and the beauty of the natural world, this book is for kids who want to learn to listen to their own inner voice and retain a sense of wildness. An atmospheric, tender triumph!
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Kim Krans
[isbn]
An incredibly vulnerable graphic memoir by the beloved Wild Unknown artist and tarot creator Kim Krans, this book recounts her "rock-bottom"-type personal crisis, and the intuitive, honest art that helped move her through it. It doesn't shy away from the most difficult, dark feelings associated with her eating disorder, multiple miscarriages, and divorce, but confronts them with humility and grace, transforming them into an original and... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Claribel Ortega, Claribel A Ortega
[isbn]
A spooky and fun middle-grade thriller about two best friends who cast a spell that accidentally invokes evil spirits, this one is packed with ’80s pop culture references, lots of humor, and a lovely storyline about family and remembering those we've lost. I couldn't put it down!
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Sophie Escabasse
[isbn]
A charming graphic novel about a family of urban witches, Witches of Brooklyn beautifully balances enchantment and everyday reality, humor and seriousness, and sweetness and spookiness. The art is super cute and the writing is sharp! I loved how gracefully this story handled some difficult topics like separating art from the artist, how to handle major loss, and accepting one's emotions without shame. Overall, it was a fantastic series... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Michelle Ruiz Keil
[isbn]
Summer In The City Of Roses is a fairy tale-inspired adventure that offers a refreshing, punk rock take on ’90s Portland. The story hums with subtle magic while also sensitively addressing themes of race, drug use, trauma, and sex work. The writing is effervescent, the misfit characters are complex and relatable, and the city’s eccentricities are portrayed with necessary nuance. Grab this book and your tarot deck, head to Forest Park,... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Megan Lynn Kott, Justin DeVine
[isbn]
This book is pure fun. A perfectly light and humorous read for animal lovers, young and old, this book will help you to figure out which animal is best suited to be your familiar spirit.
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Kim Ventrella
[isbn]
A thoughtful and delightfully odd allegory about friendship, bravery, and not fearing death, Bone Hollow is nice spin on a typical zombie story. Gabe and Wynne subvert the typically ghoulish take on the undead because they are loving, kind, and just people. I loved the graceful personification of death, and the mix of unexpected ghostly sci-fi elements, Wynne’s lyrical mysticism, and light small-town details about chickens and stinky... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Laura Tempest Zakroff
[isbn]
This is one of the most grounded and eloquent introductory witchcraft books I've read. Full of practical witchery for practitioners of all levels, this is truly an empowering and inspiring guide to creating an eclectic personal practice that works just for you. Zakroff's unique style of magic, which she calls "Modern Traditional Witchcraft," provides guidance for witches who want to draw inspiration from both the past and present while ultimately... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Corey Ann Haydu, Luisa Uribe
[isbn]
A sweet chapter book series about everyday enchantment and the magic of friendship, these books are emotionally complex and thought-provoking, but accessible and easy to read. They feature a multiracial and multigenerational Latinx family, with Spanish words interspersed throughout. With chapters that alternate between two relatable and engaging protagonists, they are sure to be a winner with young readers who like realistic stories with a touch... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Kat Leyh
[isbn]
An endearing story full of lovable outsider characters, this graphic novel contains a perfect balance of realism and magic. In this book, appearances are not what they seem: the evil witch may or not be a sweet and eccentric old lady, and Snap herself may be more magical than she ever thought. I love the diversity and inclusivity in this book: the characters are so fully dimensional, and the themes of acceptance and friendship left me with all of... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris
[isbn]
The oldest and most powerful spells are written into nature. As humans become more removed from the natural world, this deep magic becomes lost. The Lost Spells is a lyrical reclamation of the magical language of flora and fauna. A beautifully illustrated collection of poems inspired by the mysterious wonders of the wild, this book completely stunned me with its elegance.
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Courtney Maum
[isbn]
I am so grateful to have found this INVALUABLE resource to guide me through the publication of my first book. It contains vital information for writers at all stages in their careers. With tips and advice on everything from querying agents and setting aside valuable writing time to childrearing and doing taxes (Did you know you can write off the lattes you drink while plugging away on your novel??), this book is a holy text of sorts. I feel like... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Lisa Marie Basile
[isbn]
This book is essential reading for witches, poets, journalers, and anyone interested in the transformative power of language. Through trauma-informed exercises and spells, Basile provides a template for shadow work and healing. These adaptable and accessible rituals are ideal both for casual diary keepers and professional writers.
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Sage Liskey and Barbara Counsil
[isbn]
Enchanting! An accessible mental health guide told through lens of magic and wizardry, this book is an empowering handbook for anyone who is looking for self-possession amidst a toxic culture. A unique overview of life that covers everything from depression, activism, dream analysis, and intentional eating under an overarching umbrella of magical wellness, this book is for anyone who could use more magic and happiness in their life!
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Coleman Stevenson
[isbn]
There is so much to relate to in these poems — meditations on solitude and desire, but what may perhaps resonate most deeply are the details left unsaid. Skillful leaps between images celebrate mystery, encouraging us to remain open and free-associate, rather than linger on any objective ideas about human experience. This book is full of secrets, doors to shadowy places, and invitations to go deeper. It is a call to inhabit the liminal.
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Susan Cooper and Carson Ellis
[isbn]
This book perfectly captures the spirit of the solstice, and will surely be a part of my yearly Yule rituals for years to come. It is poetic and light-filled with joyous illustrations that evoke the quiet, universal hope that accompanies the darkest day of the year.
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Matt Ralphs, Nuria Tamarit
[isbn]
A comprehensive survey of witches across history, this YA nonfiction book explores real witches, fictional sorceresses, and magical women in folklore and myth. Its large format and cute illustrations make it appealing to a wide age range. This would make a great gift for any magically curious child!
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Corey Ann Haydu, Luisa Uribe
[isbn]
A sweet chapter book series about everyday enchantment and the magic of friendship, these books are emotionally complex and thought-provoking, but accessible and easy to read. They feature a multiracial and multigenerational Latinx family, with Spanish words interspersed throughout. With chapters that alternate between two relatable and engaging protagonists, they are sure to be a winner with young readers who like realistic stories with a touch... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Elsa Whyte, Julie Legere, Laura Perez
[isbn]
Oh my goddess, the pure gorgeousness of this book! From the elegant and detailed writing to the luminous illustrations, to the red ribbon that ties the physical book shut. A wonderful introduction to witchcraft for children and young adults, it's jam-packed with information. The perfect gift for a young feminist witch!
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Yamile Saied M�ndez
[isbn]
This magical #ownvoices novel for middle graders is about a girl who must protect her siblings when her mother goes missing. It fuses the story of Peter Pan with themes of immigration, poverty, and privilege. Timely, accessible, and incredibly moving!
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Amanda Yates Garcia
[isbn]
This is a gorgeously written memoir about initiations of all kinds. It follows Garcia's moving and personal journey through "the underworld": her sexual trauma, poverty, mental illness, and struggle to find magic and power within patriarchy and other systems of oppression. As a hereditary witch, Garcia's magic was passed down to her, but she teaches us how the real initiations can happen for all of us when we are able to confront and travel... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Carmen Maria Machado
[isbn]
Wow... this book is so necessary and beautiful. A stunning exploration of the meaning of home, of domestic abuse, of the architecture of romantic dreams and optimistic desire, of queer love, and of lyrical realism, In the Dream House is a brilliant successor to Machado's acclaimed first book, Her Body and Other Parties. An innovative investigation of trauma, it explores and overturns a variety of common narrative tropes in order... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Max Porter
[isbn]
A contemporary English folktale, a hybrid re-envisioning of ancient Green Man legends, and a multifaceted glimpse of a small, post-Brexit British village, Lanny interweaves ancient and contemporary British culture through its playful reinvention of fairy tale and myth. Dark, lyrical, and full of pathos, Porter is a master of writing about the challenges and joys of family, and particularly, of parental love. While many parts of the book... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Mark Savage
[isbn]
This is a genre-bending novel featuring a narrator who attempts to review a series of movies that don't exist. What first begins with a series of academic footnotes about notable films throughout history becomes an obsessive journey into his mind and life, revealing a personal history that overwhelms and challenges the reviews themselves. This book will appeal to fans of Nabokov's Pale Fire, Jorge Luis Borges, film history and theory,... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Jenny Hval
[isbn]
This is a wonderfully odd novella about a Norwegian exchange student who experiences a queer sexual awakening while studying in Australia. Full of psychedelic eroticism, lush descriptions that are gross yet elegant, and dreamlike sensuality that disorients just as it seduces, this psychologically twisted bildungsroman by musician Jenny Hval is an eerie romance that asks all the right questions.
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Christine Lynn Herman
[isbn]
This is an atmospheric YA fantasy novel full of monsters, magic, love triangles, and lovable characters. It's dark and a bit creepy, and will appeal to fans of Stranger Things and The Raven Cycle.
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Alain De Botton
[isbn]
This book is essential reading for anyone who seeks to make a relationship last past the honeymoon phase. If you've ever felt confused, saddened, or misled by the discrepancy between what "true love" is supposed to feel like and the genuine hard work of a romantic partnership, you will surely relate to Rabih and Kirsten's struggles.
Recommended by Ariel K.
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