Long before there was Charles Dickens or Shakespeare, readers were already enjoying the epic, adventurous tales of gods, goddesses, and half-human creatures of ancient mythology. These myths form the foundation for many modern stories, and sought to explain how our world came to be.
In mythology, the gods aren’t always all good. Many times, they can be jealous and vengeful deities, acting like spoiled little children. You can find them spying or playing tricks on mortals, all for their own enjoyment. But we are still fascinated by these stories, perhaps because a lot of the emotions and behavior in these tales resonates with us as humans.
Best Mythology Books to Read Right Now
Whether you’re a mythology buff or a total amateur, here are some of the best books on mythology that you can add to your list:
1. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton
Originally published in 1942, this is one of the most famous books on mythology. It will introduce you to various myths from Norse, Greek, and Roman culture. This is the 75th anniversary edition that features amazing illustrations. You may want to consider the hardcover version to spruce up your collection.
2. The Heroes by Charles Kingsley
This is a collection of three main stories in Greek mythology: the story of Perseus, the story of the Argonauts, and that of Theseus. Charles Kingsley’s fondness for the tales of Greek heroes, or what he tenderly calls Greek fairy tales, is apparent in his writing, where the adventures are aimed to inspire children to higher levels of integrity.
3. Age of Fable by Thomas Bulfinch
Published in 1855, Thomas Bulfinch is among the most respected writers telling the myths of the Greek and Roman gods and heroes, including Zeus, Hercules, Pan, Orpheus, and several others retold from Ovid and Virgil.
4. Russian Fairy Tales by Alexander Afanasyev
This very rich collection or Russian folk tales will introduce you to the stories of Vasilisa the Beautiful, Tsarevich Ivan, Maria Morevna, and many others. This edition includes illlustrations made in the early 20th century, an added bonus to these entertaining tales.
5. The Iliad by Homer, Translated by Alexander Pope
What study of Greek mythology would be complete without this epic masterpiece? This is the classic verse translated by Alexander Pope, which will give you the closest access to the stories of Achilles’ heel and the eventual fall of Troy.
Best Mythology Retellings
Sometimes, we can enjoy retelling of mythological stories, as you can see from the examples below:
6. Circe by Madeline Miller
This New York Times bestseller retells the story of Circe, born the daughter of Helios, the god of the sun, who was considered the mightiest among the Titans. Lacking both the power of her father and the allure of her mother, Circe turns to mortals for friendship, but Zeus banishes her to an island on account of her witchcraft.
7. Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green
Learn about the ancient Egyptian myths, including Amon-Ra, creator of every creature in the world; Isis, who forever searches for her dead husband Osiris among the waters; and many other tales about magic, adventure, and treasure.
8. The Tale of Troy by Roger Lancelyn Green
Roger Lancelyn Green tells us the story of the kidnapping of Helen, and the gathering of the heroes to rescue her and lay siege to Troy, which leads to the judgment of Paris. Get to know Achilles and his heel, and Odysseus and his wise plan of using the wooden horse to enter Troy.
9. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
One of the most engaging storytellers of the modern day, Neil Gaiman effectively weaves an enthralling tale of the Norse gods and their world, starting with their origin all the way back to their upheaval in Ragnarok.
10. D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths
Although this is a children’s book, this great introduction to Greek mythology contains engaging stories and fascinating illustrations for readers of all ages. This is credited with inspiring the most young readers to love Greek mythology, but it’s a real gem to add to any collection.
11. Early Irish Myths and Sagas by Jeffrey Gantz
The Irish are well-known for their storytelling prowess, and that’s no surprise: they have a rich collection of mythologies handed down from generation to generation. Part history, part legend, and part myth, these stories were first put on paper as early as the 8th century AD.
Reading Mythology
Mythology is the foundation of all storytelling. Reading these timeless tales will stir up your imagination, while also giving you food for thought in terms of the loyalty, bravery, and wisdom that the characters do (or don’t) exhibit.
If you’ve never read mythology before, we recommend you start with one of these selections. Don’t miss out on some of the most heroic tales in the world!
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 25 Mythical Creatures and Where to Find Them in Literature
- Exploring the Monomyth: 6 Lessons from Joseph Campbell’s Theory of “The Hero’s Journey”
- 21 Books About Witches: From the Fictional to the Historical
- 15 Common Fantasy Tropes and How To Own Them
Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
