Grab your broomsticks and settle in for a literary look at witches, witch trials, and the stories that have kept these fascinating figures alive in our imaginations. In this episode, we’re talking about books that explore everything from historical witch trials and the real women caught up in them to fictional witches, superstition, fear, and the complicated line between magic and reality. We’ll discuss the stories that captivated us, the history behind them, and why witches continue to cast such a spell over readers today.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Killing the Witches by Bill O'Reilly

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

Weyward by Emilia Hart

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

The Witches of Ambridge by Alice Hoffman

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman

A Time of Witches by Madeline Martin

The Heretics Daughter by Kathleen Kent

Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

This week, we’re stepping outside the familiar world of Anne Shirley and into one of L.M. Montgomery’s lesser-known novels, The Blue Castle. We’re talking about Valancy Stirling, a quiet woman who has spent her life following everyone else’s rules—until a startling diagnosis inspires her to finally take control of her own story.

We’ll discuss Valancy’s transformation, the unexpected romance at the heart of the novel, Montgomery’s exploration of family expectations and societal conventions, and whether The Blue Castle deserves a place alongside her better-known works. Is this hidden gem as charming as we hoped?

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Emma M. Lion Series by Beth Brower

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

Jane of Lantern Hill by L. M. Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables series by L. M. Montgomery

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

What if the women history forgot were actually the women who changed everything?

In this episode we’re diving into the fascinating historical fiction of Marie Benedict. Known for bringing remarkable women from history out of the shadows, Benedict’s novels explore the lives, relationships, struggles, and accomplishments of women whose stories deserve a closer look.

We’ll talk about some of our favorite Marie Benedict books, the historical figures she brings to life, and what we love (and sometimes question!) about her approach to historical fiction. From famous names to lesser-known women, these stories give us plenty to discuss—and plenty of reasons to add another book to our reading lists!

So grab a cup of something cozy and join us as we explore the books of Marie Benedict.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict

The Only One in the Room by Marie Benedict

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek By Kim Michele Richardson

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict

Queens Crime by Marie Benedict

The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery

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Book Club Episode: `The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery