books she loves

Hello to changing leaves and autumn reads! I’ve been (not so) patiently awaiting the cooling weather so I can break out my cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice everything. This year, I find myself more anxious than usual to get to the atmospheric, magical books patiently waiting on my shelves for the changing seasons. If you find yourself looking to add a little magic to your reading, these are some of my favorites for all kinds of readers.

Practical Magic

The Rules of Magic Magic Lessons

The Book of Magic

by Alice Hoffman

Every October I get in the Halloween mood with a list of supernatural movies. One of my favorites is “Practical Magic,” the 1998 movie starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman about an eccentric family of witches cursed in matters of love. More than a decade after I first watched this movie, I finally picked up the book of the same name by Alice Hoffman and fell in love with the Owens family all over again. If you haven’t read it, be aware going in that the book and movie are different. Personally, I love both equally and find that they enhance each other, giving me more depth to each of the Owens women that one format itself cannot provide. Hoffman excels at the kind of lyrical, enchanting and magical writing that brings this story to life.

Over 20 years after “Practical Magic” was first published, Hoffman released a prequel novel titled “The Rules of Magic.” Set in 1960s New York City, the prequel is about the young lives of “Practical Magic’s” eccentric aunts, Franny and Jet, along with their beloved brother Vincent, as they uncover family secrets and start to understand the truth of who they are. I loved this prequel perhaps even more the first novel. The author gives us a beautiful story about being true to yourself no matter what, setting a strong foundation for the aunts’ characters so you can see how they could grow to be who they are in "Practical Magic.”

Published last October, “Magic Lessons” goes back to the beginning to tell the story of Maria Owens in the 1600s. Abandoned as a baby, Maria is taken in by Hannah Owens and taught to use her gifts. After being abandoned by the man who declared his love for her, Maria invokes the curse that will haunt her family through centuries. A celebration of life and love is at the heart of Maria’s story, passed down to her descendants — along with the curse.

Fans of literary fiction, magical realism or books centered on women will enjoy this series. Each book can be read as a standalone or in any order you choose. This October I intend to revisit the Owens family by reading the books in chronological order starting with “Magic Lessons” leading up to the final Owens novel, “The Book of Magic,” being released on October 5. In this spellbinding conclusion, three generations of Owens women and one long-lost brother use their unusual gifts to break the curse that has plagued their family for over 300 years. Sure to be filled with lyric beauty and vivid characters, I believe it will be as enchanting as the previous novels.

Magic for Liars

by Sarah Gailey

If you’re a fan of murder mysteries, check out “Magic for Liars” by Sarah Gailey. Set in a magical boarding school where a faculty member has just been gruesomely murdered, private investigator Ivy Gamble has been called in to investigate. Ivy is not magical and has never wanted to be. She’s perfectly happy with her life and certainly doesn’t wish she was like her estranged sister, the magically gifted professor Tabitha. As she investigates the murder at Tabitha’s private academy, the stalwart detective starts to lose herself in the case and the answer to the mystery that seems just out of her reach. Ivy’s difficult relationship with her sister and her issues with magic and high school made her a very real character in an unexpected setting.

The Hollows Series Dead Witch Walking [ BOOK 1 ]

by Kim Harrison

Fans of action-packed storylines, plenty of bad guys and strong, snarky women — or those who love TV shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” or “Supernatural” — will enjoy this ongoing urban fantasy series. If you aren’t familiar with the term, urban fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy where the story takes place in a “real world” urban setting and contains some kind of fantastical element such as supernatural beings or creatures, magic or powers. Yes, that means vampires, werewolves, witches, faeries … you name it! The sub-genre surged in popularity during the late 1990s and continues to be a big market today. One of the hallmarks of a great urban fantasy series is strong “world-building,” where your supernatural characters live next door to us regular human beings who may or may not know that these creatures exist for real. Common themes include an overarching mystery as the main plot of each novel with a sprinkle of romance as a subplot. Kim Harrison is often listed as one of the notable contributors to the genre and this series is a long-time favorite of mine.

In Harrison’s series, the humans know the creatures of the night live and play in “The Hollows” of Cincinnati. Witch and bounty hunter Rachel Morgan keeps the world civilized by bringing in the supernatural creatures who have broken the law with the help of her partners, a pixie named Jenks and living vampire, Ivy. The first book is “Dead Witch Walking,” and the series gets better as it continues with each novel building on those before. Harrison may be writing fantasy, but her world feels refreshingly real. Book 15, “Million Dollar Demon,” was released this summer, and Harrison is working on book 16, set to release in 2022.

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

by India Holton

If you like to read romance novels, cheer for a delightful heroine who certainly doesn’t need a man to save her, and enjoy a good laugh, you should definitely pick up this magical novel. Cecilia Bassingwaite, a prim and proper lady thief, must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his dangerously charming henchman. Yes, this delightfully fun novel is full of lady pirates — Cecilia and the members of the Wisteria Society — who take care of themselves, and may just steal your jewels in the process. These charming ladies expertly maneuver their flying houses all over the countryside while exchanging witty banter and plotting their next adventure. What makes this whimsical novel even more magical is how the author takes the typical gender roles of the Victorian era and turns them on their heads.

Area Woman’s resident Bookista, Megan Elgin, serves you up with books worthy of spending your entire afternoon with. Search for Megan on Goodreads or @meganann on Litsy and find out what she’s reading now.

Read one of these books? Tell us what you thought by using #areawomanbooks in your online review or send me an email at design@areawoman.com.

note : All events are subject to change. Confirm dates and times before attending.

October 7

MOTHERHOOD UNFILTERED:

A night of real conversation and fun designed for moms

Join us for an evening of candid and real conversations surrounding motherhood (including mental and physical health, intimacy and relationships). There will be shopping and socializing, great giveaways and special gifts, delicious food, yummy dessert from Windsor Waffles, custom drinks and more! Motherhood is challenging (especially so during the last year). We know the weight of it all. With our event’s panel and keynote speaker, we are welcoming real, unfiltered questions and answers about the struggles, triumphs and everyday life situations moms are facing in their physical, mental and relationship wellness. We encourage moms to be their complete selves and enjoy a night out to feel surrounded by other moms who get them, just as they are. We all can appreciate a little less filter and a lot more real. That is what we are here to give the moms in our community.

7:00 – 9:30 PM

The Sanctuary Events Center 670 4th Ave N, Fargo fargo.momcollective.com

October 7

PETS AND LOSS

Our pets are our companions and a big part of our lives. Most animals don’t live as long as humans, and the loss of our pets can deeply affect us. This course will share some coping mechanisms to help grieve and honor our pets when they die. It will also explore how pets can help us through our grief journey when we lose someone else. This virtual event by Hospice of the Red River Valley is free and open to the public. Registration is required at least one day prior to the class date at hrrv.org/ event/pets-and-loss/. Contact the grief department at 800-237-4629 or grief@hrrv.org.

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Online

October 8-24

Theatre B Presents - THE CAKE

by Bekah Brunstetter

Della makes cakes, not judgement calls. But when the girl she helped raise returns to North Carolina to get married, and the fiancé turns out to be a fiancée, Della’s life is turned upside down. She’s always dreamed of baking Jen’s wedding cake, but now — should she? How does she love unconditionally, when it just doesn’t sit right? Contact 701-729-8880 or theatreb.org for tickets.

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Sundays at 2:00 PM Theatre B 215 10th St N, Moorhead

October 9

NATIVE AMERICAN STORIES AND MUSIC WITH KEITH BEAR

World-renowned Mandan-Hidatsa storyteller and musician Keith Bear will present a morning of stories and music for families and all ages. This event is part of the One Book, One Community series of events. No registration is required.

10:00 AM

October 16

Ragamala Dance Company: FIRES OF VARANASIDANCE OF THE ETERNAL PILGRIM

This performance is part of the MSUM Cheryl Nelson Lossett Performing Arts Series. Through images that reflect the cosmic trinity of Varanasi, India — sacred pilgrimage routes, the Ganges River, and the patron deity Shiva, heightened by the chants of Vedic priests — the choreographers imagine a metaphorical crossing place where one may leave the mundane and enter into the world of immortality.

Free, all-ages Kolam workshop Saturday, 1:00 PM, at the Roland Dille Center for the Arts. Tickets for the evening performance can be purchased online at mnstate.edu/tickets or by calling 218-477-2271 (Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM). Masks are required in all MSUM buildings.

7:30 PM Hansen Theatre, Roland Dille Center for the Arts at Minnesota State University Moorhead 801 13th St S, Moorhead mnstate.edu/perform

October 19

FALL FASHION SHOW

Check out new brands and trends in women’s fashion. Local ladies will be styled head to toe in fashion fit for every woman. Tickets are $25 and attendees receive a $25 Scheels gift card at the end of the show. Limited seating.

Noon and 6:00 PM

SCHEELS Home & Hardware 3203 13th Ave S, Fargo scheels.com/fusionboutique

October 22-23

REAL LIFE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

A two-day conference geared toward women of all ages. We want to share our real-life stories with you to give you hope and inspire you to keep on keeping on — to walk out this faith journey with joy and anticipation that we will make it through. National speakers and singers including Susie Larson, Shantel Dudley, Plumb, JJ Weeks, Phillips Craig and Dean, and Ayiesha Woods. For more information call 218-209-1367. Tickets available online at unifiedproductionsgroup.com.

Friday 5:00 – 10:00 PM, Saturday 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Fargo Air Museum 1609 19th Ave N, Fargo

October 26 One Book, One Community Event:

AUTHOR VISIT WITH ANTON TREUER

An author visit with Anton Treuer centered on his book “Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians by Were Afraid to Ask.” A book signing will follow; books will be available for purchase. This event is free and open to the public. Visit 1book1community.org for more information.

7:00 PM

Knutson Center Centrum at Concordia College

901 8th St S, Moorhead