vote for our winter retreat book
(we will read prior and come ready to discuss)
🕯️ 1. The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
Genre: Historical fantasy, feminist fiction
Why it fits: It’s spellbinding (literally) — set in an alternate 1890s where suffragettes fight for women’s rights through witchcraft. It blends sisterhood, folklore, and the power of storytelling.
Discussion themes: Female power, sisterhood, the intersection of myth and activism, reclaiming lost history.
Vibe: Deeply atmospheric, perfect for candlelight and tarot on a snowy night.
🌙 2. The Change by Kirsten Miller
Genre: Contemporary magical realism, thriller
Why it fits: A group of middle-aged women discover magical powers and use them to avenge women who’ve been wronged. Bold, funny, and fierce — a feminist revenge story with heart.
Discussion themes: Aging, empowerment, community, justice, and the meaning of transformation.
Vibe: Witches-meet-true-crime-meets-midlife-renewal.
🌲 3. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Genre: Fantasy, romance, literary fiction
Why it fits: A lush, labyrinthine story about secret libraries, hidden doorways, and the magic of storytelling itself.
Discussion themes: The nature of stories, fate vs. free will, how we escape into imagination.
Vibe: Cozy, surreal, and emotionally rich — ideal for curling up with cocoa.
🔥 4. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
Genre: Magical realism, family saga
Why it fits: The Owens women, witchy family secrets, New England setting — this book was made for a Maine winter weekend.
Discussion themes: Love, legacy, the costs of magic, how we define “home.”
Vibe: Classic witchy comfort with a bittersweet edge.
🌒 5. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Genre: Found family, fantasy
Why it fits: While lighter on witchcraft, it’s a heartwarming story about compassion and chosen family — a perfect emotional counterpoint to the snowy setting.
Discussion themes: Acceptance, belonging, breaking rules for love and kindness.
Vibe: Whimsical, cozy, and uplifting — good for groups who love character-driven reads.