Quick Picks: Tarot Books for a Friend Who Isn't 'Into All That'

You know the scenario. Your friend catches you pulling cards one morning and raises an eyebrow. They're curious but skeptical—the kind of person who'd roll their eyes at crystals and sage but secretly wonders what you're seeing in those mysterious images.

"I don't really believe in all that," they say, "but... how does it actually work?"

This is the friend who needs the right book. Not something that assumes they're already lighting candles to the moon goddess, but something that meets them where they are: curious, intelligent, and refreshingly honest about their doubts.

For the Literary Skeptic: Modern Tarot by Michelle Tea

If I could only recommend one book for the friend who "isn't into all that," it would be Modern Tarot by Michelle Tea.

Tea writes specifically for people who are "a dyed-in-the-wool seeker or a digital-age skeptic—or a little of both." She doesn't ask you to believe anything supernatural. Instead, she treats tarot as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth, which is exactly how most thoughtful people actually use it.

What makes this book different? Tea peppers her card descriptions with real stories from her own messy, complicated life. Instead of mystical proclamations about "divine energy," you get practical insights like recognizing when you're being a "sulky baby" (her words for the Four of Cups) or understanding why certain people drain your energy (hello, emotional vampires of the court cards).

The writing is warm, funny, and occasionally profane—like getting tarot advice from your smartest, most brutally honest friend. Tea assumes you're an adult who can handle complexity and contradiction, which is refreshing in a field that sometimes talks down to beginners.

Plus, even Phoebe Bridgers endorsed it, admitting that "tarot books for the most part are just super boring. Still, I love this book."

For the Friend Who Likes Adventures: The Adventure Tarot

If your skeptical friend is more visual and prefers their wisdom with a side of wanderlust, The Adventure Tarot by Elizabeth Su might be the perfect gateway.

This road trip-inspired deck and guidebook approaches tarot through the lens of self-discovery and belonging—themes that resonate whether you believe in divination or not. Su describes it as having "slumber party vibes and best-friend advice," which captures the accessible, non-intimidating tone perfectly.

The illustrations by Jenny Chang are gorgeous and inclusive, featuring people who actually look like the diverse world we live in. It's tarot without the medieval European imagery that can feel alienating to modern readers, especially those who don't see themselves reflected in traditional decks.

For the Friend Who Wants the Classic: The Complete Guide to the Tarot by Eden Gray

If your friend prefers tried-and-true resources over trendy interpretations, The Complete Guide to the Tarot by Eden Gray has been the gold standard since 1982.

This is the book your friend's mom probably read, if she was the type to quietly keep a tarot deck in her bedside drawer. Gray's approach is refreshingly straightforward—no crystals required, no talk of "divine energy," just practical instruction on how to read the cards using the traditional Rider-Waite imagery most people recognize.

What makes this different from more mystical approaches? Gray treats tarot as "a symbolic record of human experience" and focuses on practical techniques for reading the cards rather than requiring any particular spiritual beliefs. The book includes detailed descriptions of all 78 cards plus three different methods for laying them out and interpreting patterns.

It's the kind of comprehensive guide that your analytical friend will appreciate—methodical, thorough, and respectful of both the tradition and your intelligence.

The Real Secret About Tarot Books

Here's what I've learned from years of reading (and re-reading) tarot books: the best ones aren't really about predicting the future. They're about developing a more nuanced understanding of human psychology, relationships, and the patterns that shape our lives.

Your skeptical friend probably already does this kind of pattern recognition in other areas—analyzing why certain relationships feel draining, or noticing when they're stuck in unproductive thought loops. Tarot just gives you a structured way to think about these dynamics, with 78 different archetypes to help you name what you're experiencing.

The cards become a mirror, not a crystal ball. And honestly? That's more useful anyway.

Why These Books Work for Skeptics

Both of these authors understand that modern readers are smart, sophisticated, and allergic to being talked down to. They don't ask you to abandon critical thinking or pretend that shuffling cards can literally predict tomorrow's weather.

Instead, they offer tarot as a creative, psychological tool—something that can help you gain perspective on your life without requiring any supernatural beliefs. You can use these books whether you think tarot "works" through mystical forces or simply because taking time to reflect on symbolic images helps clarify your thoughts.

Your friend who "isn't into all that" might discover they're actually into this.

Start Here

If you're buying for someone else, I'd go with Michelle Tea's book—it's the most broadly appealing and handles skepticism with intelligence and humor. If you're buying for yourself and already know you prefer visual, contemporary approaches, The Adventure Tarot offers a fresh take on an ancient practice.

Either way, you're giving the gift of permission to be curious without requiring anyone to check their brain at the door. Sometimes that's exactly what a skeptical friend needs to discover their own relationship with the cards.

Want to explore tarot for yourself? Check out our beginner-friendly course that teaches you to read with confidence—no memorization required.