Halloween is almost here and that means it's time to break out the “spooky" books. Of all the books that could be considered perfect for a cozy October afternoon, I think that “Practical Magic” by Alice Hoffman is definitely at the top of my list.
I revisited this oldie but goodie this week and I can't help but share it with all of you. The story of the Owens women stands the test of time, and even though this book was first published twenty-eight years ago, it still feels as fresh in 2023 as it did back in 1995. The Owens women have been blamed for everything that goes wrong in their Massachusetts town for more than two hundred years. Sisters Gillian and Sally have been taunted, teased, bullied, and ostracized for all of the years they have lived with their elderly aunts.
There are whispers of witchery surrounding the family, and the aunts seem to encourage it with their creepy old house, their exotic concoctions, and their large pack of black cats. On the other hand, all that Gillian and Sally have ever wanted was to escape – and they do, one by marrying and one by running away. Little do they know, running from the witchcraft that is in their blood will only bring them right back to the very things they are running from, forcing them to embrace their witchy roots and teach the younger generation of Owens women to do the same.
“Practical Magic” was just how I remembered it. The story is dark and bleak, but somehow manages to feel very hopeful at the same time. Truthfully, both Gillian and Sally are bitter and mean and so are the younger set of sisters, Antonia and Kylie. But they are also loving and supportive of one another in ways that only people with shared trauma and family baggage can be. Hoffman errs more on the side of whimsy than horror, making it a perfect October read even for people who aren’t looking for something super scary.
I hope you all have a great long Nevada Day weekend and make a little bit of time to cuddle up with a great Halloween read. After all, there is just something wonderful about putting on your comfiest sweats, pouring a glass of wine or a cup of tea, cuddling up under a cozy blanket with a book and just getting lost in the story. When you're finished pop over to my Instagram page, @allison.the.reader, where as I will be reading and rambling away and searching for my next great read as always.
Allison Diegel is the Executive Chaos Coordinator at the Diegel Home for Wayward Girls and Their Many Pets here in her hometown of Fallon. She has been reading since before she could talk, and now she likes doing lots of both.
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