Alice Hoffman Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Alice Hoffman books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

Alice Hoffman is a name that echoes deeply in the hearts of readers who cherish stories filled with wonder, emotion, and unforgettable characters. With over 30 books published, she has become one of the most beloved American authors of our time. Her unique storytelling style—blending magical realism with everyday life—has touched the lives of millions. Whether you’re reading about witches, small-town struggles, or quiet personal battles, Alice Hoffman’s words have a way of staying with you long after the last page.

Born on March 16, 1952, in New York City, Alice grew up on Long Island. Her early years were shaped by the people and places around her, and many of those impressions found their way into her novels later in life. As a child, she already had a deep love for books. But it wasn’t until she discovered The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger on her mother’s bookshelf that everything changed. She has often said that this book made her feel like it was speaking directly to her—and in that moment, she knew she wanted to become a writer.

After graduating from high school in 1969, Alice went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Adelphi University. But her journey as a writer truly took off when she attended Stanford University, where she studied creative writing from 1973 to 1974 under the Mirrielees Fellowship. There, she met Albert J. Guerard, a professor who encouraged his students to take writing seriously. He gave assignments that were both intense and inspiring—like writing 50 pages a week! Alice credits him, and his wife Maclin, for helping her take her first steps into the world of publishing.

In fact, while she was still a student, Hoffman’s first short story appeared in Fiction magazine. Not long after, the editor of American Review, Ted Solotaroff, asked her if she had a novel. That question sparked the idea for her debut book, Property Of, which she began writing at just 21 years old. Soon, it was published, marking the start of a long and successful career.

Over the years, Alice Hoffman has written a rich collection of novels, including 24 adult novels, 8 books for young readers, and several short story collections. Her style often weaves magical elements with deep, emotional truths. Readers are drawn to her unique blend of fantasy and realism, and many of her books explore themes like love, loss, family, identity, and resilience.

One of her most famous novels, Practical Magic, became a cultural phenomenon after it was turned into a film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. The story of two sisters raised by witches in a small town won over fans with its mix of magic, sisterhood, and heartache. Other notable books like Here on Earth—a nod to Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights—and The Dovekeepers, which tells the powerful story of women at Masada, showcase her ability to combine historical depth with lyrical beauty. The Dovekeepers in particular has been praised as one of her greatest works, with Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison calling it “a major contribution to 21st-century literature.”

But Hoffman’s talents aren’t limited to novels alone. She’s also written screenplays, including the 1983 film Independence Day, and has seen several of her other works adapted for the screen, including Aquamarine, a delightful tale for younger audiences. Her stories have a cinematic quality, often filled with vivid imagery, emotional depth, and compelling character journeys.

Beyond fiction, Alice Hoffman is also known for her work as a survivor and advocate. After her own battle with breast cancer, she founded the Hoffman Breast Center at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Proceeds from her short story collection Local Girls helped make this center a reality. Through her work, she has given back not just through her writing, but through meaningful action and support for others.

Alice’s writing has been recognized by many respected publications including The New York Times, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and The Library Journal. Her stories have been translated into more than 20 languages and published in nearly 100 countries, a true testament to the universal appeal of her voice.

Even today, Alice Hoffman continues to write and inspire from her home in Boston, Massachusetts. She has said that she loves reading science fiction in her spare time, which may surprise some fans of her more romantic or historical books. But perhaps that’s the magic of Alice Hoffman—she is always curious, always exploring, always ready to bring new kinds of stories into the world.

If you’re just discovering her work or returning to her books after some time away, there’s never a wrong place to start. Whether you begin with The Probable Future, The Ice Queen, The River King, or Faithful, one thing is sure—you will be transported into a world that is both beautiful and real, where the impossible feels entirely possible, and where every character has something true to say.