Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

Double, double, toil, and trouble! Shakespeare may have penned this saying, but authors have been talking about witches for as long as books have been around. This week, we are reading a book that is related to witches!

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Suggestions:
20 Witchy Books from 2019
100 Books about Witches
14 Books Featuring Witches
Historical Fiction about Witches
25 YA Books about Witches
Fiction and Nonfiction about the Salem Witch Trials
7 Nonfiction Books about Witches
Listopia: Best Books with Witches
Listopia: Best Witchy Magical Realism
Listopia: Witch Hunts in Historical Fiction

ATY Group Listopia

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Optional Questions
1. What are you reading for this category?
2. Why did you choose this book?

I plan on going with one of my favorite children's books that I read in the '70s- The Witch of Blackbird Pond. If not that one, then probably a Terry Pratchett Discworld book.

Pratchett immediately comes to mind with this prompt, I've read all his witch themed Discworld books several times already, so I'm going to go with Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

I’m probably going old school classic with The Crucible.

I have many options, but since I'm currently reading a great series by Juliet Blackwell, I'll probably continue on with that. So probably A Cast-Off Coven or Hexes and Hemlines.

I also like the idea of The Witches of New York by Ami McKay or A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (if I don't get it it this year).

I'm going to try to finally get to A Discovery of Witches for this!

I wasn't super enthusiastic about this prompt, but I had to stop researching because I was adding so many books to my TBR! Here's my short list (that will probably get added to later....)

Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin
The Bone People by Keri Hulme
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales of Women & Witchcraft by Tess Sharpe
The Familiars by Stacey Halls
Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey
Enchantée by Gita Trelease
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

I'm trying to stick to the books I already own, so none of my choices have a witch for a main character but there are witches in Blackbird House and Daughters of the Lake.

Does The Night Circus have a witch in it?

Sarah wrote: "I'm trying to stick to the books I already own, so none of my choices have a witch for a main character but there are witches in Blackbird House and [book:Daughters of the Lake|365308..."

Kinda? I don't think they ever use the word witch, but there is a woman who does magic.

Do Isabel Allende The House of the Spirits or her Eagle & Jaguar series have witches??

They are Fantasy and magical Realism, but I couldn't find out if there are actually witches involved.

I have preordered Wytches, Volume 1!

Which was not in response to this prompt but a happy coincidence AND will fit into my "no new books" rule.

I have just read A Fever of the Blood which is all about witches. It's the second book in the series, but the first one, The Strings of Murder could be used for the "related to arts" prompt (amongst others). It's about violins and violinists.

I think I’m going to read Tidelands, the new Philippa Gregory (Author) book for this. I don’t know much about the book, but the description on the main GR page suggests it should work.

Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins by Emma Donoghue has been on my TBR for awhile, and with this prompt I'll finally get to it!

I read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Reading the series over the next few weeks, so slotting them in where I can.

I read Hex Hall for this one.

1. What are you reading for this category?
I read The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
2. Why did you choose this book?
This has been on my TBR shelf since being published. I love Alice Hoffman's writing and I thought it was high time the book came out of hiding.

For anyone interested in queer, YA witches, Tor has a list for you:
https://www.tor.com/2020/02/10/season...

I already read The Witches Are Coming (loved it) and I will read The Lost Coast & Wayward Witch this year.

If you like YA, I recommend both Akata Witch (YA) and Labyrinth Lost (YA, queer)

I just finished The Hidden Witch by Molly Ostertag which is book 2 in the series.

I had something else marked for this prompt but my daughter renewed this book from her school library so I could read it. I am buying her the first three books for her upcoming birthday.

I read The Witches of New York by Ami McKay. My daughter happened to give me a copy of the book so it fit perfectly.

1. What are you reading for this category?
Practical Magic

2. Why did you choose this book?
I've always wanted to read it (this was a perfect excuse), and I have been enjoying Alice Hoffman's writing.

ZeeJane wrote: "Pratchett immediately comes to mind with this prompt, I've read all his witch themed Discworld books several times already, so I'm going to go with [book:Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecie..."

I've read this twice, and it's such fun!

Kathy wrote: "I read The Witches of New York by Ami McKay. My daughter happened to give me a copy of the book so it fit perfectly."
What did you think? I thought it was an interesting read. I loved the characters.

I read The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, which had a lot of hype when it came out, but I thought it needed some editing because the plot was uneven and contradictory. Someone gave me this book and the sequel, but I'll probably pass them along without reading the second book. (Regifting isn't an issue because it came from one of a group of friends who normally pass books back and forth.)

I read Brownies and Broomsticks (the main character finds out she's a witch in the course of the story), and I picked it because it sounded cute and it's been on my TBR for awhile.

What are you reading for this category?
I read Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
Why did you choose this book?
It was part of a recommended selection of ecofeminist fantasy that I am working through. It is my first 'adult' Terry Pratchett novel, the first 'Witches' novel in Discworld, and immensely funny and entertaining. Highly recommended.

Goodreads posted this today if anyone's looking for a YA book

https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/1...

I recommend The Witches Are Coming if you don't want to read about actual supernatural witches. It's great, very political though.

I'm thinking The Lost Coast, or maybe When We Were Magic or Initiated: Memoir of a Witch if I feel like going non-fiction.

1. What are you reading for this category? by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
2. Why did you choose this book? Historical fiction that I had seen reviewed and then stumbled on at my library. The story is based on the witch trials held on a small island off Norway in the early 1600s.

I don't tend to read about witches, vampires, zombies, etc. But I do read fantasy so maybe something will come up with a sorceress. I am also intrigued by a new book We Ride Upon Sticks about field hockey and witchcraft.

I’m currently reading a fantasy. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. It has mages,witches, dragons, the whole ten yards. It is a doorstopper at 804 pages. I’m not using it for the witch prompt but it would work.

Sherri wrote: "I’m currently reading a fantasy. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. It has mages,witches, dragons, the whole ten yards. It is a doorstopper at 804 pages. I’m not using it for the wi..."

Oh great, I own that and have been meaning to read it soon, so I'll use that. I keep thinking I will get a lot of reading done but between watching the news and doing things with my husband, I haven't read much. (Usually I have many hours when he is out for meetings, choir practice, visiting his sister, etc. He is wonderful and we have been married 45 years, but I am missing my alone time!)

I read Philippa Gregory, Tidelands for this prompt. I was disappointed: the writing was drab and the storyline predictable. Not one of Gregory's best by a long chalk.

I’m reading Tidelands now by Philippa Gregory. I don’t think I’m using it for this prompt. I’m only on page 70 & I feel the same way you do. I was thinking the story line was too predictable but was hoping things would change. I’m disappointed.

1. What are you reading for this category?
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole

2. Why did you choose this book?
It was the second book of the series I started reading.

1. What are you reading for this category?
The Mercies 27/03/2020

2. Why did you choose this book?
I got this from Netgalley, i come from an area near the Pendle wishes and have always been interested in the subject. But this was a really depressing read with a bit of LGBT thrown in for good measure. Something which really annoys me. I do not understand why it is necessary to put LGBT into everything in it s place it can make fro a good narrative but not it is like the man who scattered corn irrespective of whether the land was ready the corn still only grows in the right conditions.

reply | flag *

Something different for a witch topic.

If you ar elooking for a unique twist on the witch topic try Trail of Lightning. I am half way through and am enjoying the book. It is set in a future dystopia and is based on Navaho culture and legends. A witch and other mythical beings are featured. So if you have read all the traditional witch literature, or the typical isn’t calling to you maybe this book will.

Chrissy wrote: "I recommend The Witches Are Coming if you don't want to read about actual supernatural witches. It's great, very political though.
"

Thanks, Chrissy! My library didn't have an e-book for what I was planning to read, so I got this after seeing your recommendation and am really enjoying it!

1. What are you reading for this category? Circe
2. Why did you choose this book? I've had this on my shelf for a while and thought mythology was the perfect escape I needed.

1. What are you reading for this category? Akata Witch
2. Why did you choose this book? I have a tendency to go for the obvious choices for prompts like this and it was the only book I had with witch in the name.

I loved this book. It's a YA but it still has a very complex magic and societal structure to it. Nnedi Okorafor is amazing at blending African heritage and contemporary culture with fantasy and sci-fi. Except for Binti. Binti sucked, but I've like the rest of her work.

I was kind of stuck on this one, not wanting to read about Salem witches or paranormal, but just got an Audible special of The Witches Are Coming, which is about feminism, a subject that interests me. And it is humorous as well.

44. A Book Related to Witches: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

This one has been on my TBR shelves of Goodreads for awhile and it was my coworker's suggestion for our April read. I honestly wasn't a fan of this book.

I read Witches Be Crazy: A Tale That Happened Once Upon a Time in the Middle of Nowhere by Logan J. Hunder. I selected it because of the cover.
It was a truly silly tale that I needed right about now.

1. What are you reading for this category?
The Peach Keeper
2. Why did you choose this book?
I enjoy her books and each one has a touch of magic in it. Her books are always enjoyable to read.

I read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for this prompt. I'm not really interested in reading about witches for the most part, but I own this series, and thought it would be a fun way to fulfill this prompt.

A friend recommended this book. The Wee Free Men

I read We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry. I chose the book because it looked interesting. I liked the 80's throwback. I played field hockey in the 70's but no Emilio. We did have parties though.I gave it 5 stars.

For my 2nd time through, I am using the children's book, Howl's Moving Castle, which is quite entertaining on audio.

I read Bound by Kirsten Weiss

One of several paranormal mysteries with witch protagonists in my TBR title.

I read Circe. I don’t mind a more traditional witch book but if you’re someone who wants to complete the challenge but isn’t so into witches this one might be a good fit. I enjoyed it and was interested in how the Greek myths were woven in to a fresh story.