My Top 10 Non-Fiction Faery Books

For today’s post, I have decided to make a list of my top ten favorite Faery books.   In this case, these are non-fiction books that focus on faery lore!   As will be apparent to regular readers of my blog, I am a huge fan of anything faery.   I have been studying faery lore of all sorts for years, and these are ten of my favorite resources.   I will not be ranking these, as I do love all of them, and each has something special to offer to those interested in faery lore.

The Faery Gates of Avalon by Gareth Knight

~This one is an exploration of the faery and Otherworldly elements found within the writing of Chretien de Troyes.   I have already written a full review of this book here on White Rose of Avalon, for those interested in a more thorough overview!

Enchantment of the Faerie Realm by Ted Andrews

~This one is a great guide for beginners wanting to make contact with the Faery Realm.   There is a useful breakdown of faeries and elementals related to earth, air, fire, and water.

A Witch’s Guide to the Faery Folk by Edain McCoy

~This one is a great guide that includes descriptions of many types of fae beings from all over the world!   It is a great resource to look up aspects of certain species of the fae folk and to help identify them.

The Fairy Bible by Teresa Moorey

~This one is a great overview of many different types of fae, and as a bonus, it is beautifully illustrated!   It has a lovely breakdown of faeries based on what they are related to, first those related to each of the elements, as well as sections on those related to weather, flowers, and trees.

 Encyclopedia of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, & Other Supernatural Creatures by Katharine Briggs

~Briggs was the greatest faery expert of the last half of the twentieth century.   She was an expert in folklore and wrote many thoroughly researched works, and this one is her most important work!

A New Dictionary of Fairies: A 21st Century Exploration of Celtic and Related Western European Fairies by Morgan Daimler

~This one is an impeccable dictionary of faery lore written by one of the great faery experts of our time.   She does an incredible job of tracing the folklore, and faery faith beliefs over centuries.   This is a great resource for those who want a great foundation in traditional faery lore.   I have also written a full review of this one here on White Rose of Avalon!

Fairy Queens: Meeting the Queens of the Otherworldby Morgan Daimler

~Another great book by Daimler is this one that is focused on the lore, and connecting to, the Faery Queens.

Fairies: A Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk by Morgan Daimler

~A third book by Daimler that is incredible is her book which is an overview of Celtic faeries.   This one is shorter than her A New Dictionary of Fairies and could be a good starting place for those wanting a simpler introduction.

 Fairy Craft by Morgan Daimler

~The fourth and final book of Daimler’s that will be listed here is her book that overviews her own brand of faery-based witchcraft.   This is rife with lore and is also practical for those who may want to grow closer to the fae.

The Book of Faery Magic by Lucy Cavendish & Serene Conneeley

~I love this one for its sweet and loving prose.   There is an acknowledgment of the darker aspects of traditional faery lore and old beliefs, but it is much more rooted in the evolution of these beliefs.   It is similar to Daimler’s Fairy Craft, as it is also a book that has a lot of practical advice for working with the fae!

Special Mention: Mermaid Magic by Lucy Cavendish & Serene Conneeley 

~As this one only deals with water faeries, I chose not to include it within the context of this primary list.   However, it is as delightful and enchanting as the duo’s book listed above!   I feel it is a must-read for all lovers of faery and mermaids, and I am happy to have it as a part of my Faery library. 

~I will note that I have not included some of the important early works on faery lore here.   Those are important works, and I do think they are worth reading.   However, I chose not to include works that are over one hundred years old here since they are often difficult to understand for modern readers.   Daimler and Briggs are good starting points for those who want to get deep into the folklore, and they tend to be able to explain early experts like Kirk and Yeats!   I hope that you have enjoyed this list.   Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!