The Gilded Margin

Favorites Friday| The Gilded Margin

So you’ve seen Practical Magic 2.

You found out it’s based on Alice Hoffman’s The Book of Magic.

Then you discovered there are four books.

And now you’re staring at the bookshelf wondering:

“Wait. Which one do I read first?”

Here’s the fun part:

Alice Hoffman says it’s your choice. (Alice Hoffman)

There are two ways to read the Practical Magic series.

OPTION 1: Publication Order

This is the order the books were originally published:

1. Practical Magic
2. The Rules of Magic
3. Magic Lessons
4. The Book of Magic

This is the route that lets you experience the series as readers originally did.

You start with Sally and Gillian.

Then you move backward through their family history.

And eventually you arrive at The Book of Magic, the novel that inspired Practical Magic 2. (Alice Hoffman)

OPTION 2: Chronological Order

Want to follow the Owens family history from its earliest point?

Try:

1. Magic Lessons
2. The Rules of Magic
3. Practical Magic
4. The Book of Magic

This takes you from the origins of the Owens family curse forward through the generations and eventually back to Sally and Gillian. (Alice Hoffman)

So which order should YOU choose?

If you’re brand new to the series, publication order gives you the original experience:

Practical Magic
The Rules of Magic
Magic Lessons
The Book of Magic

If you’re the person who reads every prequel before touching the original story, go chronological.

There isn’t a wrong answer.

And honestly?

If you love the series enough, you can always read them both ways.

Because once you’ve fallen into the Owens family, four books probably won’t feel like enough anyway.

SAVE THIS FOR YOUR FALL TBR:

Practical Magic
The Rules of Magic
Magic Lessons
The Book of Magic

Now the important question:

Are you reading them in publication order or chronological order?