The Best Magical Realism Books to Read Now

Today's book list is dedicated to my favorite novel of 2023, and I hope you'll tune in for our moving conversation with the author on Book Gang. 

In Habeck's thoughtful literary fiction debut, animal mutations can occur in humans. 

Habeck writes a stunning portrait of a woman navigating her husband's shark mutation diagnosis as he navigates daily life as his body rapidly evolves.

As we discover more about her past, we learn how this moment has rippled throughout her life. 

I know each reader will take something different from this reading experience.
I saw this book as a love letter to the incredible caretakers who help us troubleshoot diagnoses and daily life.

As a personal testimony, I have never seen MY love story on a page, but it made me see my incredible husband's caretaking role in a new light. 

If you are a show patron, don't miss our Spoiler-Filled episode with Emily, where we discuss the Shark Heart ending and some surprising reasons for her writing choices that I'm so thankful she shared with us.

Related- The Best Debuts of 2023

This week, I'm loving this new Meg Shaffer book that gathers inspiration from C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia.

The story eerily opens with Jeremy, a missing-person investigator, being confronted by a woman named Emilie, whose sister vanished in a mysterious forest.

Jeremy doesn't just investigate, though; he had a personal experience where he and his best friend vanished fifteen years ago in that same forest.

These two lost boys were gone for six months, and reuniting them now may hold Emilie's key to finding her sister.

Shaffer uses a similar storytelling mechanism from her first book, interspersing a section called the Storyteller's Corner that weaves in fairytale chapters that inform the reader of story details that will make you feel like a kid again.

Release Date- 16 July 2024

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Ricki Wilde is the heir to the Wilde Funeral Dynasty but unexpectedly decides to go after her dream of opening a flower shop in Harlem.

Amidst the rich history of the neighborhood and a blossoming romance, Ricki finds solace and support in an unexpected mentor.

This new romance novel sends readers down an unexpected path from the author of Seven Days of June, where love and magic intertwine.

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When Lauren returns home to her flat in London late one night, she is greeted at the door by her husband, Michael.

The problem is that she's not married and never met him.

As she tries to figure out why the man is there, he goes into the attic to change a bulb, and a new husband emerges.

Readers follow the ever-changing lineup of husbands from her attic, as Lauren discovers more about about this sequence and herself.

Release Date- 2 April 2024

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This Western blends magical realism into the history of a Mexican family spanning generations.

From a ruthless mine owner to a 1960s movie star grappling with his family's dark past, readers are taken on an epic journey through the Old West.

Readers have loved how this novel tackles big themes like racism and legacy that resonate deeply even now.

Cecily Bridge-Davis is a history professor in 1964 who uncovers her family's dark secret: a curse sends one member back in time every generation.

Cecily must navigate her family history with only a family Bible and a map offering mysterious containers scattered through time.

Through this magical plot, Madison's debut weaves a race against time to break the curse and free her family forever.

Release Date- 3 September 2024

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I became drawn to Emily Henry's writing through this young adult novel that offers a modern-day Romeo and Juliet retelling.

When June runs into Saul Angert (quite literally), she is immediately attracted to him, despite her family's only rule that she never spends any time with an Angert.

Each family has its reasons for their anger, but June and Saul find that they can't stay away from each other, no matter how hard they try.

As Saul becomes increasingly connected with June's world, they discover a magical way to see and reflect on the past in each of their families.

This novel from Colson Whitehead is best experienced on audio, but prepare to weep.

The author envisions a TRUE railroad experience as the underground railroad with conductors and train stops.

Each time a passenger departs, they experience a town with its own rules.

In one town, you could be respected for your education. In another, you are the punchline to a show in the park.

It immerses the reader in experiencing that shaky ground that Whitehead crafted from the altogether real and painful true story of the enslaved.

Rebecca Serle is known for her magical stories, and this backlist book was my favorite from the author.

Sabrina's thirtieth birthday celebration takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself dining with the bucket list of people she would pick to share a meal with (living or dead).

Prepare for an iconic Audrey Hepburn dinner moment.

As the evening unfolds, Sabrina acknowledges her past relationships through these conversations with her guests, revealing a grounded emotional plot in this whimsical dinner.

This novel defies categorization, so don't be surprised when you find it featured repeatedly on our book lists.

In 2019, Kate escaped her abusive partner in London and found solace in Weyward Cottage, bequeathed by a distant relative.

Surrounded by nature's embrace, Kate unravels the cottage's secrets from the witch-hunting days of the 16th century to discover her great aunt's hidden legacy.

Ward's unique eye for evocative gothic settings blends beautifully with the natural world.

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I have read and loved every single one of the Steven Rowley books, but none have captured my heart like this debut did.

It's rare to see that even the publisher coyly tells readers very little to allow space for your reading journey.

Can we bring that back as a literary trend when writing descriptions?

Keeping with that theme, Ted has an extraordinary relationship with his dog, Lily, who feels very human-like.

When Lily is in peril, Ted and Lily take a magical journey that will break your heart for all the right reasons.

This grown-up Charlotte's Web features an orphan raised by a pack of wolves, one of many reasons Weylyn can't seem to fit in with others.

When he finds that he can single-handedly stop a tornado with his powers, he realizes how different he is.

Luckily, he discovers a forever friend in a little girl named Mary, who sustains his unusual life path.

As he struggles to navigate adulthood, Mary stands beside his side, and readers discover more about his special gift through the eyes of many characters in this town.

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A devastating accident abruptly halted Miranda's once-promising acting career.

Her medical practitioners try everything to rid her of pain, and when her pain persists, they blame her for not #girlbossing hard enough.

Now suffering from unrelenting back pain, a fractured marriage, and an unwelcome dependence on painkillers, she feels friendless and alone.

Nursing her bruised ego, she wanders into a bar where she encounters three mysterious men who offer a tantalizing promise: freedom from pain.

When Mona wakes up the next day, her body feels better than ever.

The only problem is that all the people who have made her life difficult now are cursed and begin to experience Mona's suffering.

Admittedly, the novel's second half takes a surreal, chaotic turn as many of Awad's books do.

Despite that, I found the journey emotionally resonant as someone who has experienced disbelief while dealing with chronic pain.

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I know that this magical realism novel is polarizing as I have two friends who have haunted me since I recommended it, but I loved this book so much despite the unusual ending to the story.

If science fiction bends aren't for you, skip this one.

But there is also a reason it lands on every book list about magical realism: Bender does it so well.

On Rose's ninth birthday, her mother makes her favorite lemon cake. As Rose eagerly dives into the cake, hot from the oven, and takes a bite, this bite changes her life forever.

Within that bite, she can feel an aching sadness and sorrow that goes back to the baker...her mother.

As she struggles with her gift, she discovers other surprising magical secrets about her family.

I've heard from many readers that they struggled with connection to this story, and I always ask- did you read the audiobook?

The audiobook narration by Marin Ireland & Michael Urie will change your experience with this book entirely.

The story explores the unlikely friendship between a giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus, and a 70-year-old woman, Tova.

Near the end of his expected lifespan, Marcellus is in captivity at the aquarium, where Tova works as a cleaner.

As she struggles with losing her husband and her son's disappearance, Tova forms a special bond with the octopus, who may hold the key to solving the mystery of her son's disappearance.

Urie's audiobook narration and distinct diction from the octopus viewpoint are impeccable.

Jack Masterson is a famous middle-grade writer whose life is in a downward spiral. He has not written a story in years, or that is what the world has thought.

In truth, he's been scheming a brand new contest for his most beloved fans to compete for a brand new book he has written.

When a financially struggling teacher receives an invitation to compete for a book that could garner a life-changing sum, she heads to Clock Island to compete.

Listen to my Meg Shaffer interview on the Book Gang podcast- it was one of my favorite moments on our show.

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This grounded story is set in the early 1960s when a female chemist struggles to garner respect among her colleagues.

Sparks fly when she partners on a research project, but this love story doesn't work out as the reader expects.

One of the unique viewpoints to this book's most significant twist in their love story is the magical narration from her dog, Six-Thirty, which surprised readers and watchers alike.

Allen is known best for her ability to weave compelling family dramas with magical elements.

This first novel in the Waverly Family series is a reader favorite, but once you discover her writing, you have many more books to enjoy.

Sydney and her daughter Bay seek refuge with her estranged sister Claire after escaping an abusive relationship.

The magical bend to this story is that their family garden holds mystical secrets and a legacy that weaves its threads into every fiber of this charming story.

Readers equate the experience with this magical family as enchanting as Steel Magnolias meets Practical Magic.

Let's be honest: This list could be made up of Alice Hoffman books and be a complete assignment.

I'm choosing this selection that blends historical fiction with magic for this reading prompt.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, this novel follows the journey of a golem created to protect a 12-year-old girl throughout this harrowing time.

Hoffman entrances readers with an introduction to Jewish folklore that has made it among her most beloved historical fiction novels.

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If you are craving a joyful Jewish book for your book club- this historical fiction book is it.

In this dual timeline story, Sara, a gifted matchmaker in 1910s New York, hides her abilities in her male-dominated profession.

In a 1990s timeline, her granddaughter Abby, a modern divorce attorney, begins to uncover Sara's journals.

As she learns more, she realizes she may have a gift of her own that complicates her work as an attorney.

After you finish, listen to our Lynda Cohen Logiman interview to discover the rich history of Jewish matchmaking that she confidently weaves into her story.

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If you need a great audiobook, try this Read With Jenna book, which our book club adored in our 2020 Book Club.

When Lillian receives a surprising letter from her former roommate, Madison, asking for help with her twins, she's thrown into an unexpected situation: the girls spontaneously combust when agitated.

Despite the unusual circumstances, Lillian finds purpose and warmth in caring for them, leading to a heartwarming relationship among the characters.

Don't miss our deep dive on celebrity book clubs, one of our top Book Gang podcast episodes.

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Eowyn Ivey's debut novel was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and is one of my all-time favorite books.

After reading it a second time this winter to prepare for our 2024 book club year, I can attest that this book holds up.

Jack and Mabel, navigating their grief with pregnancy loss, decide to take up a homesteading journey in Alaska to begin anew.

One night, they sculpt a child from snow.

To their surprise, a magical girl who looks unexpectedly similar to the imagined snow girl appears on their doorstep.

This 2024 Book Club Book soared to the top of my favorite magical realism books last year, and I am so excited that Annie Hartnett is joining us in conversation to talk about all of its magical turns.

Mark Bramhall's charming audiobook narration breathes warmth into the whimsical tale of Emma navigating her father's hallucinations that have magical roots, unleashing chaos in small-town New Hampshire.

The small town comes alive through an unusual magical realism narration tool that offers the reader a unique lens to view this hilarious adventure.

Trust me, it will be one of the best books you read this year.

Magical realism meets family drama in the enchanting town of Macondo.

This Latin American story spans 100 years, taking readers through seven generations of the Buendia Family that readers feel drawn to repeatedly.

Please note that this essay highlights magical realism stereotypes in new Latin American literature, which I have been mindful of today while still including some well-known classics for today's list.

Translated by Magda Bogin, readers have described this as difficult not to compare to Gabriel García Márquez.

Allende's tale follows four generations of two extraordinary families in this sprawling family saga.

Set in Chile, the story weaves beautiful elements of magical realism that have become so beloved this book is part of school curricula.

To immerse yourself further, watch the House of the Spirits movie (filmed in 1993), which boasts an incredible all-star cast including Jeremy Irons, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Winona Ryder, Antonio Banderas, and Vanessa Redgrave.

This magical journey won the Man Booker Prize in 1991 and introduces readers to Azaro, a 'spirit child' torn between the realms of life and death.

The story's symbolism reflects the cyclical struggles of postcolonial Africa.

But if this book's premise doesn't pull you in, one of my favorite reviews left on the book shared, "This novel is Kafka meeting Marquez on a canvas prepared by Dali, with a bit of Stephen King added for seasoning."

This is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel from Toni Morrison.

Sethe, formerly enslaved, grapples with her haunting past as she tries to forge a new life for herself and her daughter.

When a mysterious young woman named Beloved appears, claiming to be her deceased child returned from the dead, the boundaries between reality and the supernatural blur.

This 647-page novel introduces readers to Saleem Sinai, born at the stroke of midnight on the day of India's independence.

It turns out, all children born at that precise moment possess extraordinary powers.

Rushdie's lyrical prose takes readers through the tumultuous history of India, where magical realism collides with the country's political upheaval.

Murakami's novel intertwines reality with elements of fantasy like talking cats, mysterious disappearances, and dreamlike sequences.

Our first Murakami novel was brought to our Reading Hacks for Chronic Pain episode, where my guest shared that Hard-Boiled Wonderland and The End of the World was her favorite of the author's works.

After such high praise, I plan to tackle that book first, but I also have this one on my radar.