Which is more unlikely?
Meeting a single, straight, reasonably attractive, willing-to-commit man?
Or discovering a secret cache of magic book... read full description
reviews
Dec 16, 2009
Suzanne
rated it: 
The motivations for this character's eventual transformation from work-a-day reference librarian to new witch are shallow and murky at best. Also, she is titling the sequel "Sorcery and the Single Girl" when "Hex and the Single Girl" is much, much funnier. Sigh.
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Apr 02, 2008
Anna
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I found this book because it was mentioned in Library Journal. The author is a librarian, and so it the protagonist. So naturally, being a librarian myself, I had to read it. And I was pleasantly entertained by this book. (And I was excited to learn that the sequel was available at my library.)
This book introduces Jane Madison, a young reference librarian working at a special Colonial history library in Washington, D.C. At the beginning of the novel we find her mooning over a college More...
This book introduces Jane Madison, a young reference librarian working at a special Colonial history library in Washington, D.C. At the beginning of the novel we find her mooning over a college More...
Jun 27, 2008
Mitzie
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I love reading 'chicklit', but the problem with the genre is that the more you read them, the harder it is to find the good ones as opposed to those who were just capitalising on the genre's popularity the last couple of years.
I first became interested to read Girl's Guide to Witchcraft because Amazon recommended it to me in conjunction with my interest in Harry Potter and chicklit. It was years ago, and even though I've been meaning to read it, it's always just sitting on my wishlis More...
I first became interested to read Girl's Guide to Witchcraft because Amazon recommended it to me in conjunction with my interest in Harry Potter and chicklit. It was years ago, and even though I've been meaning to read it, it's always just sitting on my wishlis More...
Jan 20, 2012
Chelsea
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up awhile ago and have been busy but I decided to try the book out tonight and I was pleasantely surprised and I LOVED this book. I'm really looking forward to snatching up all the other books in this series because the plot and characters I can really relate to.
We've got Jane who's a Librarian, who basically takes a 25% pay cut. Well, she's a bit upset about that because she won't even be able to make her rent and considering librarians don't make that much in the first place its a v More...
We've got Jane who's a Librarian, who basically takes a 25% pay cut. Well, she's a bit upset about that because she won't even be able to make her rent and considering librarians don't make that much in the first place its a v More...
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Jun 22, 2010
Sarah
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Girl's Guide to Witchcraft. Mindy Klasky. 2006. Red Dress Ink. 426 pages. ISBN 0373896077.
Paranormal chick-lit at its finest, Girl's Guide to Witchcraft is absolutely perfect for women looking for a pick-me-up and escape from reality for hours at a time. This book is the first in a trilogy from Mindy Klasky, author of the famed fantasy series Glasswrights' Guild.
Jane Madison is an awkward, single librarian with the problem (so typical and prevalent in chick-lit novels) of More...
Paranormal chick-lit at its finest, Girl's Guide to Witchcraft is absolutely perfect for women looking for a pick-me-up and escape from reality for hours at a time. This book is the first in a trilogy from Mindy Klasky, author of the famed fantasy series Glasswrights' Guild.
Jane Madison is an awkward, single librarian with the problem (so typical and prevalent in chick-lit novels) of More...
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Sep 14, 2009
Julie
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Jane Madison has always thought of herself as "plain Jane," and let's face it, her life does leave something to be desired. A low-paid, overworked librarian of an obscure resource library in Washington DC, Jane fills her days mooning after her "imaginary boyfriend" Jason Templeton, a professor at one of the local universities who does his independent research in her section of the library every week.
One day however, her boss calls her into her office to give her s More...
One day however, her boss calls her into her office to give her s More...
Sep 14, 2011
Alissa
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This was a cute, quick read that had me hooked from the first line because I'm a librarian and, well, this book is about a librarian. Of course that's where the similarity between me and Jane ends. I don't get rock a period costume for work, I've never found a collection of spell books (complete with a resident black cat Familiar) in my basement, and I've never bubbled, toiled, or troubled to get my crush to notice me. Well, at least not since I was about 14.
But that's another story More...
But that's another story More...
Jan 22, 2012
Adriane
rated it:
Relatively adorable, you really get to know the main character throughout the book. My main complaints are the slight spelling errors and the plot holes, the main one for me, is her instant acceptance of her familiar Neko, I'm sorry but if a giant cat statue turned into a prancing gay man that was suddenly living with and depending on me for things I would be freaked the flip out. Not so in Janes world, she acts like she is given gay men every other day.
Barring that I think the book More...
Barring that I think the book More...
Feb 08, 2010
Erin
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Oct 08, 2009
Angela
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Supernatural chick lit of the highest degree.
I can see how some people would think it's crap. Probably for the exact same reasons I love it. It's a haphazardly cliche Cinderella story, minus the fairy godmother (Cinderella works the magic herself), plus one hot Warder, and one feisty-yet-fabulous feline familiar of the... frou-frou variety.
And I thought it was perfect!
Coming down off of reading Interview with the Vampire, I knew I needed something fluffy and More...
I can see how some people would think it's crap. Probably for the exact same reasons I love it. It's a haphazardly cliche Cinderella story, minus the fairy godmother (Cinderella works the magic herself), plus one hot Warder, and one feisty-yet-fabulous feline familiar of the... frou-frou variety.
And I thought it was perfect!
Coming down off of reading Interview with the Vampire, I knew I needed something fluffy and More...
Aug 28, 2009
Shannon
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Jane Madison, a somewhat timid, fashion-challenged librarian living in Washington, D.C., is none too pleased when she learns her salary is being cut by a quarter. Her supervisor eases the blow by offering to let Jane live rent-free in a small cottage on the library's property. Jane gets more than she bargained for when she discovers a hidden key that unlocks the door to the basement, which is filled with a wide array of witchcraft books. Jane is even more surprised when she recites a spell and i
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May 29, 2011
Alana
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For all my deep and abiding love for romance novels, I often have trouble getting into chicklit. I often find the heroines painfully shallow, dense or unlikable. But none of those descriptors apply in the slightest bit to Mindy Klasky's heroine Jane Madison. Even though she's prone to building up relationships based on wishful thinking and overanalyzing - who can't relate to that? And she's aware of it, which makes it endearing rather than irritating. And I actually liked how she tried so hard t
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Nov 23, 2008
Karen
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Unlike most of the other reviews on goodreads, I loved this book. It was well written and kept me entertained. I love chick lit and I love witchcraft so I suppose that's why it was a good read for me.
Will it win a Nobel Prize? Heck no. But, do you think the author set out to do that? Heck no. It's entertaining, it's fun, it's funny, it's creative and I identified with the main character AND her best friend.
It was a perfect at home read for a Saturday night.
I a More...
Will it win a Nobel Prize? Heck no. But, do you think the author set out to do that? Heck no. It's entertaining, it's fun, it's funny, it's creative and I identified with the main character AND her best friend.
It was a perfect at home read for a Saturday night.
I a More...
Feb 10, 2011
Nora-adrienne
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I was first drawn to this book because of the cover.... then I read the blurb on the back.
Jane (our new witch) just seems to fall into situations at the drop of a hat. She is drawn to men who are definitely not right for her and isn't too comfortable because of it.
The mix of her budding witch craft, her flamboyant familiar, and the warder who comes knocking at her door when she unknowingly completes her first spell just makes you feel like you fell down the hole with Alic More...
Jane (our new witch) just seems to fall into situations at the drop of a hat. She is drawn to men who are definitely not right for her and isn't too comfortable because of it.
The mix of her budding witch craft, her flamboyant familiar, and the warder who comes knocking at her door when she unknowingly completes her first spell just makes you feel like you fell down the hole with Alic More...
Nov 20, 2009
Amanda
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So, usually I'll be the first to admit that when I hear that something is a chick lit book, I'm not really drawn to it. However, when I heard more about this book I was intrigued. It is about Jane Madison. A librarian at a small library in Washington, D.C. When budget cuts force her to have a pay cut, she is allowed to live in a cottage behind the library. That is where all the fun begins. Men, magic, a baking best friend, and a gay familiar, how could the characters not capture your heart? Th
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Mar 22, 2011
April
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I was looking through the ebook offerings in the library and found this book. I was glad I picked it up as it was an entertaining read. Jane is a librarian coming off of a broken relationship, not thinking much of herself. She, finds herself moving into a cottage at the back of the library and finds, (it finds her..) a collection of books, witches books, a familiar that she awakens and a new life as a witch!
This is a story of self discovery, Jane's. Enjoyable throughout! I would lov More...
This is a story of self discovery, Jane's. Enjoyable throughout! I would lov More...
Mar 15, 2009
Janice (Janicu)
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The Girl's Guide to Witchcraft is from the Red Dress imprint, which is Harlequin's "chick lit" line, so this book has a combination of chick lit along with the urban fantasy/ paranormal elements that you'd expect from the title. Our heroine Jane Madison juggles problems with finding a decent boyfriend (her ex for many years turned out to be a huge jerk who was cheating on her with several people), while trying to figure out her magic. Jane stumbles on her talent when her first spell wo
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May 31, 2008
adventurat
rated it:
I bought this book because I read Mindy Klasky's blog, and the combination of paranormal chicklit really intrigued me. It's the first in a series, and I enjoyed it well enough to seek out the second book, Sorcery and the Single Girl. I want to know what happens with Jane romantically, and to see her grow as a witch and a person, and to learn what happens to Stupid Fish.
There are some really memorable characters in this book - Neko, the transfigured familiar; David, the protective w More...
There are some really memorable characters in this book - Neko, the transfigured familiar; David, the protective w More...
Oct 27, 2007
Krystal
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I don't really know what to think of this book. Its a really great idea, a boring, going nowhere librarian finds shes a witch when she moves into the guest house on the libraries property. She is thrown into the world of witchcraft through a familiar, a nod to one of the characters on "Queer eye for the straight guy" who happens to be the cat statue, when not in breathing form, and of course a sexy warder, who polices her and her witchcraft.
The thing is, is the writing seems More...
The thing is, is the writing seems More...
Aug 09, 2007
Kim
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Speaking of magic, the review I just wrote disappeared!
This is a fun book which blends the "chick lit" ( I hate that phrase) and paranormal genres. Single librarian Jane Madison finds a stash of old magic books in an old cottage she is living in. Before she knows it, she has summoned a cute cat in human form as a familiar, and attracted the attention of the sexy, often grouchy warder David Montrose. This book has a lot of charming touches, from the Shakespeare Jane is often qu More...
This is a fun book which blends the "chick lit" ( I hate that phrase) and paranormal genres. Single librarian Jane Madison finds a stash of old magic books in an old cottage she is living in. Before she knows it, she has summoned a cute cat in human form as a familiar, and attracted the attention of the sexy, often grouchy warder David Montrose. This book has a lot of charming touches, from the Shakespeare Jane is often qu More...
Nov 30, 2010
Randi
rated it:
This was a really cute story. I originally picked it up around Halloween time and ended up not being able to start it until November. But I really like the characters and found myself caring about how they all ended up. The Witchcraft element is really in the background here, it's not a hocus pocus book. The story of the Characters comes first and draws you in so when they splash around the magical bits, it's almost believable. Surprisingly at the end I found out there was a follow up & orde
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Mar 08, 2010
Alisa
rated it:
Fluffy fun. Love the fact that the main character is a librarian (the author's a librarian too, so she gets her facts right), and love that she's not AS ditzy and brain-dead as so many chick lit heroines are.
But when she's forced to wear an 18th century costume at work? And hates it? Come on, I'd PAY to be allowed to wear a costume every day at work! And then she's worried that the men won't find her attractive in such a getup? Hah. I have yet to find a man who doesn't saliva More...
But when she's forced to wear an 18th century costume at work? And hates it? Come on, I'd PAY to be allowed to wear a costume every day at work! And then she's worried that the men won't find her attractive in such a getup? Hah. I have yet to find a man who doesn't saliva More...
Oct 05, 2011
Linda
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Felt like it just wandered around and didnt accomplish much. I felt like I have only read the first part of a story. It has potential as a story, so many great elements I like in it but I just havent found the story yet.
Its a beautiful fantasy of a librarian getting to live on Library grounds and discovering a trove of books. She finds out she is a witch with a very interesting familiar. I would have preferred more out of her mother and grandmother in that area and less bad boyfrien
Its a beautiful fantasy of a librarian getting to live on Library grounds and discovering a trove of books. She finds out she is a witch with a very interesting familiar. I would have preferred more out of her mother and grandmother in that area and less bad boyfrien
Jan 05, 2012
J.M.
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I love reading books that make me laugh and this laugh out loud story kept me smiling for several days. I love Jane Madison. She's smart, sexy and fun to be around even if she feels she doesn't know what she's doing half the time. As a cost cutting measure at the library she works at, Jane is offered a cottage on the grounds as a gift for taking a 25% cut in salary. She discovers a hidden cache of books on witchcraft in the basement and accidentally animate her familiar, a gay cat named Neko.
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Jan 07, 2009
Aleta
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This is the first in a series about librarian Jane who comes across a stash of magical books, and learns that she has magical powers. With the help of Neko, her gay cat/man familiar, she casts a love spell upon herself, and men are suddenly more interested in her than ever before... including the gorgeous professor who spends time researching in her library... This book is light and fun, and I recommend it if you enjoy paranormal romance along the lines of MaryJanice Davidson.
Dec 31, 2011
Val
rated it:
I picked up this book on a whim and was not disappointed in my choice. Girl's Guide to Witchcraft is a fun read when you're looking for a book to pass the time and just relax. There were moments where I felt the story stalled a bit & halfway through I was wondering how much more there was. But, overall I loved the characters and the general plot and I'm hoping to learn more about Jane's magical journey in the second book.
Dec 06, 2010
Diane ~Firefly~
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A fun paranormal chic-lit book. When Jane discovers a hidden witch library in the basement of her new place, her life changes. First, her familiar ends up a gay man, who sleeps on her couch and wants to eat her fish. Next, she cast a spell and now a few different men are interested in her. And she has a couple of family crises to deal with as well. I did like Jane, her best friend, Melissa and Neko, her familiar. I look forward to seeing how things turn out.
Nov 22, 2008
Kitty
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I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Bookish librarian finds ancient magical collection of books & tools and discovers her hidden talents… and blooms in the process. The gay "cat-like" familiar is a riot! (Every girl should have a gorgeous, gay familiar.)
This is not one of the serious, heavy, scary witch books. It's more funny, with a touch of romance - just plain FUN.
This is not one of the serious, heavy, scary witch books. It's more funny, with a touch of romance - just plain FUN.
Jun 04, 2009
Andrea
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I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It's not great literature, but it was such a fun read. The main character really appealed to me - she's a librarian in a special library specializing in early American history. She has to dress up in costume to go to work. Her idea of a romantic date is fixing Thomas Jefferson's favorite meal. I really LOVE her. Add to that she discovers a secret basement of books on witchcraft in her basement (owned by the library where she moved in after having to
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Mar 20, 2011
Mitchell
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I was looking at the shelves and was thinking that the Glasswright's Apprentice series really should have a few more books and went hunting at the library and tripped over this one. This is a silly chick lit bit of fluff. Heck - Red Dress Ink (Fiction with style). Still. Librarians, witchcraft, hidden collections of books. It was a fast amusing fun read. 4 of 5.
