At least once a month, my younger self would appear at the checkout of our town library, clutching a worn-out copy of either D’Aulaires’ Greek or Norse Mythology. Most likely, they were way above my reading level at the time, but it didn’t matter. The pictures helped tell the stories that would continue to fascinate me to this day. Now, I am always on the lookout for renditions-modified, refigured and elaborated.

For this month’s blog, I wanted to share with you some recent releases that introduce a twist or a different perspective on mythology—from recognizable faithful retellings to looser modern adaptations. Myths remain the foundation of pretty much all of literature and continue to captivate writers’ imaginations. Even if you know the mythic pantheons by heart, something new can always be found that reinvents characters and provide new lessons. I have included some culturally diverse books about myths that you may have never heard before. Countless others are out there just waiting for that special someone to excitedly clutch in their arms.

January's Featured Reviews

Recent Readings

I have recently finished reading Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls by Alissa Nutting and Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka. I also really enjoyed listening to When a Stranger Comes to Town, an anthology edited by Michael Koryta.

Right now, I am engrossed in Lisa Unger's latest release: Last Girl Ghosted, and I am listening to an audio version of The Haunted Forest Tour by James A. Moore.

Have any recommendations for me? My thirst is unquenchable! (jnmegan@gpl.org)

As always, I truly appreciate your suggestions and feedback, and I would love to hear from you. I hope this New Year brings all the best things your way.

Until next time: Be safe, be well and be well-read!

Joelle

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So, who am I, anyway? I am a resident of West Groton, with a husband, 4 teenaged children and a Samoyed puppy-all of whom are systematically destroying our house. I am currently working part time at the Groton Public Library and in a former life I was employed as a Director or PR/Marketing at a high-tech consulting firm. My BA is in Psychology, but most of my time was spent in college earning a Concentration on the Novel. That is all to say that I make no claims at being an expert of any kind and my thoughts, opinions and mistakes are solely my own. I am just a person whose passion for books has continued to grow from the moment I was first able to grip and gnaw on them, and I have been devouring them ever since.