Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week is a Halloween Freebie, so I am going to keep it on the lighter side and focus on books with a touch of magic. These are books that are set in our contemporary worlds, but there is something magical that happens. Often they would be classed as magical realism.
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Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman - I have always associated Alice Hoffman with magic but had never actually read the book until recently. Still haven't seen the movie but I would like to now!
Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen - All of SAA's books have magical elements in them, often related to food, and this one is no different.
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak - Don't let the fact that one of the narrators in this book is a tree put you off. Such an excellent read! (my review)
Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran - One of the characters in this book, Marjan, has unsurpassed ability with food. Her food can change your mood, and even the direction of your life in some cases. (my review)
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber - I loved this book so much and always keep an eye out for Heather Webber's new books (my review)
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The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden - When eating a lemon drop can help you see what your life might have been like had things worked out differently, there's definitely a touch of magic involved. Loved this book! (my review)
The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop by Takuya Asakura - In this book, if circumstances align, you can find yourself inside the cherry blossom bookshop. (mini review)
A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang by Lee Onhwa - This one features amazing sounding Korean treats that help people say goodbye to their loved ones after they have passed (my review)
The Anywhere Hotel by Gisele Stein - I love the idea of this one. At the Anywhere Hotel, you can pick up a charm and instantly be transported anywhere in the world. Paris here I come!
Before I Knew I Loved You by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - There are lots of examples of these books with a touch of magic in them in Asian fiction. This one is the most recent book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. (mini review)
Great choices, Marg! I haven't read Sarah Addison Allen in so long. Loved Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe. Thanks for sharing.
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I hadn''t read one for years until I picked up Other Birds earlier this year
DeleteOh that reminds me I need to read on in Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am waiting impatiently for the next one to come out now!
DeleteA lovely collection of books. I enjoy reading books set in contemporary times with just a touch of magic, so I'll have to check a few of these out.
ReplyDeleteHere's my TTT for this week: https://readbakecreate.com/halloween-creatures-book-tag-2026-edition/
They are like comfort reads for me!
Delete(Deb Nance at Readerbuzz) I just set The Island of Missing Trees back on my someday-TBR shelf. But now I want to put it back on my nightstand!
ReplyDeletePractical Magic does sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteI need to read more Elif Shafak books. There are just so many books and so little time!
ReplyDeleteI love books with a bit of magic, especially in a cozy mystery! I have The Witches of Cambridge at home and I'm eager to get started on it.
ReplyDeleteHere is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
I've loved most of Sarah Addison Allen's books that I've read--Sugar Queen especially. A little out of my comfort zone, but wonderful. The whole Before the Coffee gets cold series is like that, too,--just a touch out of my comfort zone but I love them. Vanishing Cherry Blossom Book Shop was good, too. Nice work!
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