Cottagecore witch literature is a subgenre of fantasy literature that encapsulates and celebrates the aesthetics and themes of cottagecore and witchcraft. It emerged as a popular trend in recent years, drawing inspiration from traditional folklore, nature, and the mystical. Cottagecore, a term coined on social media, is an aesthetic that romanticizes rural life, focusing on aspects such as simplicity, self-sufficiency, and a close connection to nature. It often features cozy cottages, blooming gardens, vintage clothing, and wholesome activities like baking, crafting, and tending to animals. Witchcraft, on the other hand, has a long-standing history in literature and mythology. It represents a connection to magic, the supernatural, and a deep understanding and respect for the natural world.
Published by Lake Union Publishing
Growing up, Nezhukumatahil was constantly transplanted, moving from one different landscape to another; she found solace and kinship with the creatures around her, no matter where she went. Another writer of comforting southern fiction with a tinge of the magical, this is my favourite Webber novel likely because it centres in a small town cafe and I m a sucker for a cafe restaurant setting.
It represents a connection to magic, the supernatural, and a deep understanding and respect for the natural world. Cottagecore witch literature combines these two elements, creating stories that transport readers to magical realms where witches live in idyllic cottages surrounded by enchanting landscapes. These narratives often emphasize the magical abilities and practices of the witches, such as herbalism, divination, and spellcasting.
Beyond Anne of Green Gables: Cottagecore Reading Recommendations for Spring
What exactly is Cottagecore? Well, really it is just another a millenial/Gen Z social construct (much like Dark Academia) that really has no “definition” and is more of a general aesthetic that idealizes rural life (for better, for worse.) Romanticizing the focus on rural pastimes of a “simpler time” – foraging, baking, pottery making, flowers and gardening. The recommendations in this article are going to be full of gardens, forests, wildflowers, baking, a wee bit of magic, and a strong connection to nature. Even better? These are mostly easy, breezy, and feel good reads to be enjoyed with the windows open while letting in all that fresh, spring breeze.
The Cottingley Secret
Written by Hazel Gaynor
Published by William Morrow & Company
I have wanted to make an article that could include this special little book for ages – and here it is! What is more Cottagecore than English countryside manors, gardens, and fairies? In this story you’ll meet two young girls who, in 1917, stunned the world when they captured a picture of fairies in the garden and launched great global interest as to the authenticity of the photo. 100 years later, Olivia Kavanaugh finds the photograph in her late grandfather’s bookshop and begins her own research – discovering her own personal connection to the photograph and the girls at the centre of this great mystery.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
The Jane Austen Society
Written by Natalie Jenner
Published by St. Martin’s Press
This is a tender, slow moving story about a desperate group of people who come together through their shared loved of Jane Austen stories. Set in post-WWII England in a small, sleepy village, this book is simply charming and joyful. While those with strong Jane Austen knowledge will benefit more from this novel, I (with passing knowledge from the movies) did just fine. A nice, feel-good read.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
Garden Spells
Written by Sarah Addison Allen
Published by Bantam Discovery
I know, it’s ridiculous the amount of times I recommend Sarah’s books, but I can’t help it. They have that special combination of magical realism and southern charm that I adore. Nothing is more Cottagecore than her debut novel Garden Spells that follows the Waverly women in their small hometown in North Carolina. Each possessing their own unique “gifts”, it’s a lovely story of belonging and becoming written with prose that is a sensory feast. If food, sisterhood, small town community, and magical gardens are your thing – check this one out pronto.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
Written by Kelly Barnhill
Published by Algonquin Young Readers
Another author that writes with such visceral intensity you feel simply transported, this highly acclaimed middle grade story is truly beautiful. A small community who, foolishly, every year leave a baby in the forest as a sacrifice to the witch who lives there. But this witch, Xan, is gentle and kind, always rescuing the babies and finding them homes in nearby cities. One night she accidentally feeds the sacrificed baby pure moonlight, empowering her with great magical power. Naming her Luna, Xan raises her as her own. While Luna’s power continues to grow, the villagers are rising against the forest witch with murderous intent and this one extraordinary girl is the key to everyone’s protection. This story is written with such strong, beautiful imagery and respect for nature – from the forests, to the swamp creature, to Xan’s garden, making it a perfect Cottagecore recommendation.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
The Music of Bees
Written by Eileen Garvin
Published by Dutton Books
Maybe not your traditional Cottagecore story, but I believe this still fits the bill as it follows a passionate bee keeper, living on a small farm outside a small town, as she fights for her local environment and the protection of the precious, fragile bees. Interconnecting three stories – high school senior Jake who has been bound to a wheelchair after a freak accident, 24-year-old Harry who suffers from crippling social anxiety, and 44-year-old Alice who grieves for her husband and worries her life hasn’t turned out the way she’d hoped. Together, along with healing power of nature and bees, will find joy and solace and strength in one another. This is such a feel good story that deserves much more attention. You’ll learn so much about glorious, wonderful bees!
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
Wildwood Whispers
Written by Willa Reece
Published by Redhook
Maybe THE most Cottagecore book on this list, this one is for anyone who loves slow, magical stories centring around gardens, lush forests, the slow comforts of baking, and friendship. While not exactly lighthearted, this story does have a very dark undercurrent, but it paces along with an almost meditative prose that enlivens and evokes all the senses of taste, touch and site, leaving the reader quite comforted. Mel, who has grown up with no family, bouncing among foster placements, finds her forever home when she returns to her best friend’s small town to scatter her ashes. Here she will learn the power of connection, friendship, and the healing powers of nature.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
Wild Beauty
Written by Anna-Marie McLemore
Published by Square Fish
A little out-there, a whole lotta weird, magical realism and a plethora of flowers combine in this entirely unique story from Anna-Marie McLemore. Following the women of the Nomeolvides family who, for generations, have been responsible for the upkeep and care of the world famous gardens on the island of La Pradera. They hide a painful family secret: if any of them fall too deeply in love, their lover will vanish. Until a strange boy appears one day in their gardens …
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe
Written by Heather Webber
Published by Forge
Another writer of comforting southern fiction with a tinge of the magical, this is my favourite Webber novel … likely because it centres in a small town cafe and I’m a sucker for a cafe/restaurant setting. Anna Kate returns to the small Alabama town of Wicklow to bury her beloved Granny and settle her estate – including the famous Blackbird Cafe – before returning to her city life. But life in this little town and the running of the cafe might just be what she needs to heal her heart from past wounds and discover the secrets of her mother’s decision to flee her home. Like a Hallmark movie, this is a sweet story to sit down with over a glass of iced tea on a warm spring day!
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
Echo Mountain
Written by Lauren Wolk
Published by Dutton Books for Young Readers
This is one of the very rare stories that totally encapsulates a sense of place though quiet description, patient prose, and the author’s own extensive knowledge, which combine for extremely vivid world building. This middle grade story follows Ellie and her family after they lose their home in the Great Depression and move to an untamed section of mountainous forest with very few possessions. At first living in a tent and gradually building a small cabin, their lives are full of extremely difficult, dangerous work and one day Ellie’s father is hurt in an accident and falls into a coma. The family blame Ellie for this accident and the story follows the weeks afterward as Ellie, along with some new friends – including the “old hag” from up the mountain – work with the land and environment to cure her father. There isn’t a story on this list that is so fully connected to, descriptive of, and respectful to nature.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
Written by Jeanne Birdsall
Published by Yearling Books
This middle grade reads like an old-time classic story, even though it was published in 2005. A summer full of fresh air and youthful shenanigans on a grande estate as a family of four sisters and their father rent out a tiny cottage on the property. This story is full of frolicking in nature, young dramas, and a great big heart of hopefulness, making it one entirely delightful, smiling treat of a read!
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
Kate Morton
Really, most of Kate Morton’s stories would fit the Cottagecore vibe as the majority of her novels centre in old English country gardens, estates, and manors. Usually told in dual timeline between past and present, a long unsolved mystery is slowly unravelled amidst the beautiful backdrop of the English countryside. For fans of slow historical fiction with beautifully detailed descriptive writing, I always love a Kate Morton novel. Some of my personal favourites are The Secret Keeper and The House at Riverton.
You can find her books here: Bookshop.org
In the Light of the Garden
Written by Heather Burch
Published by Lake Union Publishing
Another reads-like-a-Hallmark-movie, this story takes us to the Gulf Coast of Florida where a young woman returns to the incredible home of her grandparents after her grandpa passes and leaves the estate to her, the place were all her magical summers were spent as a child. A magical willow tree and garden, a hunky landscaping neighbour, small town community, finding family, healing and forgiving all combine in this light and breezy read.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
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They also explore themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and the importance of living in harmony with nature. Within cottagecore witch literature, one can find a range of subgenres and themes. Some stories focus on witch protagonists navigating their powers and finding their place in the world. These narratives often explore the duality of magic and the challenges that come with harnessing such forces. Other stories may center around witch communities, depicting close-knit groups of witches who band together to protect their way of life or fight against dark forces. The settings in cottagecore witch literature are typically lush and atmospheric, showcasing beautiful descriptions of sprawling forests, babbling brooks, and wildflower meadows. These depictions transport readers to magical worlds that evoke a sense of wonder and tranquility. In terms of literary influences, cottagecore witch literature draws inspiration from classic fairy tales, folktales, and mythologies that have long fascinated readers. It often incorporates elements from folklore and mythology, reimagining traditional tales and characters to fit into the cottagecore witch aesthetic. Cottagecore witch literature has gained a significant following and popularity in recent years, particularly among those who are drawn to the nostalgia, escapism, and sense of connection to nature that it offers. Its popularity extends beyond literature, with cottagecore witch aesthetics integrated into fashion, home decor, and social media. In conclusion, cottagecore witch literature combines the enchanting aesthetics of cottagecore with the mystical world of witchcraft. It offers readers a chance to escape to magical realms filled with wonder, self-discovery, and a deep connection to the natural world. With its popularity, this subgenre has captivated audiences with its whimsical narratives and captivating imagery, making it a delightful addition to the world of fantasy literature..
Reviews for "Discovering the Hidden Meanings in Cottagecore Witch Stories"
1. Jessica - 2/5 - I found the whole cottagecore witch literature trend to be quite overrated. The stories were filled with clichés and predictable plotlines. It felt like the authors were just jumping on the bandwagon without adding any originality or depth to their writing. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any relatability. Overall, I was left disappointed and unimpressed.
2. Daniel - 1/5 - Cottagecore witch literature is just not my cup of tea. The stories were slow-paced and lacked any real excitement. The constant focus on nature and simplicity became repetitive and boring after a while. I didn't find any of the characters interesting or engaging, and the magical elements felt forced and unconvincing. Overall, I couldn't connect with this genre and would not recommend it to others.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I tried getting into cottagecore witch literature, but unfortunately, it just didn't click with me. The writing style was too flowery and descriptive for my liking, making it difficult to follow the plot. The books often felt like a collection of random nature descriptions rather than a cohesive story. The lack of character development made it hard for me to form any attachment or investment in what was happening. While I appreciate the idea behind it, this genre simply wasn't my cup of tea.