None of this is a surprise. These are stories that have captivated millions of people for thousands of years and continue to do so, both in traditional and more contemporary formats. This audiobook by Scott Lewis dives into several Chinese myths, deities, mythical creatures, and traditional festivals. Each chapter is devoted to its own topic, making the piece easily digestible. With a 3-hour listening time, Chinese Mythology: Classic Stories of Chinese Myths, Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters is a great way to learn about the basics of Chinese mythology at your own pace.

Matt Clayton’s Native American Myths acts as a crash course for Native American mythology. The reader will get the low-down on several myths and legends from an array of Native tribes. On top of this, Clayton discusses heroes, supernatural beings, deities, creation myths, and beliefs revolving around death and rebirth. I was completely obsessed with Tintin as a child and this book was my favourite. Something I think is so great about all the Tintin books is how on their surface they are pure adventure but they inspire the reader to learn more about the world Tintin discovers. This book was no different and i ended up convincing my mum to buy other books about Egyptian mythology so I could discover the story that inspired Hergé - the 1922 discovery of Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb and the urban myth than anyone connected with the discovery was cursed. Being inspired by myths in our own storytelling also allows us to present different cultures in ways that are informal, unexpected and exciting. Reading the myths of Sedna, the sea goddess, we find ourselves immersed in the icy, sometimes harsh world of the Inuit in a way that a list of facts about Arctic fishing would never be able to replicate. Most Japanese legends are based on Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Shinto is the older of the two and is considered widely as Japan’s indigenous religion.It is also worth adding that The Kane Chronicles is getting its very own Netflix adaptation. The release date has yet to be announced – we are certainly keeping an eye out for it! Parizi’s Japanese Mythology strives to build a bridge between Japanese mythology and the more mainstream mythologies of the Western world. First accounting for Japan’s history, Parizi goes on to tell the audience several myths and their interpretations. In case you’re worried about mispronouncing or misunderstanding words, the terminology you will need to know is provided. Straight from Penguin Classics is this collection of Irish myths and legends, taken and translated from their 8th-century CE manuscript. Wonderfully capturing the legendary history of ancient Ireland, Early Irish Myths and Sagas are among the finest resources for early Celtic literature.

Based on archaeological evidence discovered in numerous tombs, Egyptian mythology dates to at least 4000 BCE. However, throughout history, other mythologies made their way to North Africa through extensive trade. With the natural sharing of ideas and beliefs, mythology evolved. At some point, Greco-Roman gods were introduced, expanding the Egyptian pantheon. The Mabinogion is based upon a 14th century manuscript known as ‘Red book of Hergest’. The work is a collection of eleven tales of early Welsh literature and draws upon the mystical word of the Celtic people intertwining myths, folklore, tradition and history. Today, there are 574 federally recognized tribes within the United States alone. Each one has its own stories, monsters, and heroes. It is estimated that during the pre-Columbian era, there were well over 1,000 different Native American cultures thriving throughout the modern U.S., which means that Native American mythology is incomparably vast. The Tain as translated by Thomas Kinsella offers maps and a pronunciation guide (we all know how handy those can be). Furthermore, it offers insight into the events before the Táin Bó Cuailnge. The story is thoroughly fleshed out, complemented with brush drawings by Louis Le Brocquy. Honestly, one can do no wrong by adding The Tain to their reading lists. The Codex Borgia: A Full-Color Restoration of the Ancient Mexican Manuscript by Gisele Díaz and Alan Rodgers

Women of Myth: From Deer Woman and Mami Wata to Amaterasu and Athena, Your Guide to the Amazing and Diverse Women from World Mythology by Jenny Williamson and Genn McMenemy Alongside gorgeous art by Kotaro Chiba, Tales of Japan: Traditional Stories of Monsters and Magic regales the audience with 15 folktales. All tales are derived from earlier 20th-century collections by Lafcadio Hearn and Yei Theodora Ozaki. Organized between “Journeys,” “Ghosts and Monsters,” and “Justice,” each chapter within this book offers insight into the oral traditions of ancient Japan. Norse myths and legends were almost completely lost to us since the stories were, traditionally, told through oral tradition. Through the famous works of Snorri Sturluson and others, we have been able to salvage what knowledge we have of Norse myths.

To tell new stories using ancient myths is to gently guide readers towards doors that lead into other times, places and peoples. If they find a door interesting, they can step through it via other books and stories, and spend more time in these wonderful worlds. Like many other mythologies we’ll be discussing, Celtic mythology had almost been lost to time. As a culture that relied on oral tradition as means to communicate valued stories, the Celts were among the many ethnic groups that were susceptible to fragmented history. And, it wasn’t by their own doing, either. First on our list of best overall mythology books is this four-book collection from History Brought Alive. By giving the four ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia ( Cradle of Civilization), and Egypt center stage, these books allow the audience to take a deep dive into each civilization without being too overwhelming. One can expect myths to be shared alongside recorded history in Greek, Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome: Fascinating Insights, Mythology, Stories, History & Knowledge From The World’s Most Interesting Civilizations & Empires. Every Saturday at sunrise, the Stoor Worm would wake, open his cavernous mouth and yawn nine times. He would then demand a meal of seven virgins for as the old tales record: "although he was a venomous beast, he had a dainty taste."

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There are several things to look out for when searching for the best overall mythology books. A good mythology book captures the heart of myths. These tales are timeless. These gods? Ancient! It takes nothing short of the real deal to share the stories of old with a new generation. The king of one country threatened by the beast's arrival was advised to offer it a weekly sacrifice of seven virgins. In desperation the king eventually issued a proclamation offering his kingdom, his daughter's hand in marriage and a magic sword to anyone who could destroy the monster. That’s right: Circe, the witch that turned Odysseus’ crew into swine and took the Greek hero as a lover. However, Circe is given depth in Miller’s work. By the end of the story, the reader will have gained a new perspective of Greek myth, the power of choice, and what it means to go against the grain. Five of the remaining stories involve the legend of Arthur and his knights. The setting for Culhwych and Olwen is Arthur’s Court and includes a list of his knights. Arthur’s Court is again the setting in The Dream of Rhonabwy, which tells of a story involving Arthur and his knights, fairy heroes and Celtic warriors.

Described as straightforward with casual narration, Native American Myths is a good starting point for those looking to take a dive into Native American mythology. The Kojiki is one of the oldest chronicles of Japanese myths, legends, heroes, gods, and history. Initially written in the 8th century CE, The Kojiki is considered one of the most important books of Shinto . It takes note of the kami, the creation of Japan, and the Imperial lineage until Empress Suiko in 628 CE. Chinese mythology is known for its colorful characters and magical settings. Drawing inspiration from early Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist beliefs, traditional Chinese mythology was originally passed on through oral traditions. Therefore, much of Chinese mythology acts as a base for broader Chinese folk religion. Much of the mythology does span centuries of Chinese history as well. A sprinkling of monsters and Chinese gods within historical events is pretty standard. Chinese Mythology: Classic Stories of Chinese Myths, Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters by Scott LewisAll six of Matt Clayton’s Legends and Gods of Africa series are available on Kindle here. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi You’ll find several books below that capture various aspects of Japanese mythology. From a compendium of Oni to a collection of traditional myths, there’s sure to be one to catch your eye. Japanese Mythology by Roberts Parizi If you’re looking for a beginner’s guide to Norse mythology without the fluff, look no further. The Viking Spirit: An Introduction to Norse Mythology and Religion is as easy to understand as it is informative. That, and you’ll get 34 – trust us, that’s a lot – myths retold. Some topics discussed are not advised for younger audiences, but that does not take away from the heart-aching beauty of The Woman Warrior. A catharsis in and of itself, Hong Kingston’s story adds further insight into the complexity of Chinese mythology and its impact.