What’s In Your Magic Library? My Top Ten Favorites.
So, let's talk about developing a library on magic. When we get started in magic it is all about learning tricks first, then creating a performance. Books are a great source of learning magic because they are chock full of detailed content, and these will teach not only tricks but also essential techniques and guidance on how to develop a performance.
Magic is a unique hobby because everyone's interest in the subject is a little bit different. Many kinds of magic exist, such as stage magic, close-up magic, card magic, coin magic, etc. (check out my blog on eight types of performances). It all depends on what appeals to you and where you want to get started. Maybe you don't have a preference yet. I recommend books that cover the history of magic and a whole variety that describes an overview of magic in general. Start there so you can explore a wide variety of types, especially if you want to truly understand what kind of magic speaks to you the most. Most likely, you already have a type of magic that appeals to you. I'm sure you've watched many different magicians perform on television or the internet.
If it is card magic, a favorite of mine, then there are good beginner's books and teaching videos covering introductory card mysteries and sleight-of-hand card tricks. Non-sleight-of-hand card tricks would be mysteries that use mathematical principles, a stacked deck, or some such procedure that does not require extensively practiced dexterity with a deck of cards. Sleight-of-hand is the secret moves hidden by the magician under cover of seemingly natural movements, and there's a lot of useful books that can expand your knowledge on it.
So, here are my top ten list of the books that I recommend if you're looking to build out a library. These books are classics, and every magician should have a copy.
The Original Tarbell Lessons in Magic
Scarne on Card Tricks by John Scarne
Maximum Entertainment - Ken Weber
Now You See It, Now You Don't: Lessons in Sleight of Hand by Bill Tarr
John Mulholland's Book of Magic
Expert Card Technique by Jean Hugard and Fred Braue
Classic Secrets of Magic by Bruce Elliott
Modern Coin Magic by JB Bobo
Our Magic By Maskelyne and Devant
Greater Magic by John Northern Hilliard
These books cover a wide variety of magic and its performance with something for everyone. If you're new to studying magic or you've just never read these yet, these are great because the content takes you deep into the details of the most critical aspects of well-done magic.