While Wicca and other neo-paganism might dominate # WitchTok, there are many other spiritual traditions that can fall under the umbrella of 'witchcraft.' While anyone is welcome to read up on publicly published books about them, keep in mind that some traditions are what's called a 'closed practice.' These traditions often grow out of a specific cultural context, require an invitation or initiation to practice, and are often passed down through a community or family.

But while there’s plenty of witchy fiction to keep you occupied for years, how about checking out some nonfiction as well? More than a million Americans follow some sort of witchcraft or pagan tradition, and these practices have a long and fascinating history and present. Of course, many of us grew up reading (or watching) more recent-and purely fictional-witch stories like The Wizard of Oz or Harry Potter. Witches appear in the religious texts, mythology, and folk tales around the world, from the Odyssey to Old Testament's Book of Samuel. The concept of witchcraft has existed for at least as long as recorded history. When it comes to books about witches, there's a wide range of options, from spellbinding (get it?) YA novels complete with love triangles, to fascinating real-life memoirs, to actual spell books, complete with instructions how how to make a love spell or three (yes, they're real). Whether you're looking to be entertained by a spooky story, you want to educate yourself on some cultural history, or you're interested in exploring a spiritual path, perhaps you're looking for a witch book.

Year of the witching book