Norse Paganism puts great emphasis on Runes. Although many brush off Runes as nothing more than the alphabet of the Norse, there is something more to them.

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. Chinese Mythology: Classic Stories of Chinese Myths, Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters by Scott LewisAlongside 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. 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. We get it: this sounds like a pretty intimidating undertaking for those who are newer to Japanese mythology. Thankfully, with translations provided by Gustav Heldt, the origins of traditional Japanese myths have never been more accessible.

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. Scientists estimate that the Japanese archipelago has been inhabited since prehistory. Its earliest legends emerged during the Jōmon period (1400-300 BCE), during which the nation was founded by the legendary Emperor Jimmu. As the Age of Humans’ Jōmon period immediately follows the “Age of the Gods” (per Shinto beliefs), it is safe to say that Japan has quite a bit of legendary history. 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!Hardcover 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 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. If that wasn’t enough, Egyptian myths are at least a thousand years older than the start of ancient Egypt. Which is…sort of crazy, since Egypt is home to some of the oldest myths in the world. 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. Not only will The Codex Borgia: A Full-Color Restoration of the Ancient Mexican Manuscript shed new light on pre-Columbian religions of Mexico, it is a must for any history buff to get their hands on!

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. Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt by Geraldine Pinch

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. Many books have brought inspiration from myths into new times and places. Recent examples include the Who Let the Gods Outseries by Maz Evans, Louie Stowell’s Loki series and Davina Tijani and Adam Douglas-Bagley’s Yomi and the Fury of Ninki Nanka. They all bring some of the strength and magic of legend closer to today’s readers in different and exciting formats.