folklore
My “Superstitions” Book Is Out NOW!
What do weddings, Christmas celebrations, Thanksgiving dinners, and Halloween mischief have in common? They all involve rituals and customs that used to be (and in some cases still are) superstitious. Superstitions are woven into the fabric of our everyday lives, often in ways we don’t even realize. Why am I mentioning this? Because I wrote a nonfiction book that deals with that very subject. It’s called The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions, and it came out TODAY from Quarto Publishing Group’s Wellfleet Press imprint.
This book is available at bookstores everywhere, as well as HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE!
Hey, want to read two glowing reviews of The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions? Sure you do!
And here’s the official publisher description of the book:
The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions sheds light on the impact that superstitions have on our global society at large, world history, the pop culture we consume, the art we create, and even the way we think about marriage, death, prosperity, self-protection, and luck, to name a few. No matter where on Earth you live, superstitions have always been the infrastructure of societies since ancient times. They can be found in social rules of etiquette, in the vocabulary we communicate with, in rituals performed during holidays, in birthing rooms across time, at funerals, or just in our everyday habits. These mysterious practices provide an essential source of comfort, safety, and control. Even more fascinating is that they have been used since time immemorial to explain the unexplained. Unpack the lore and origins of cultural superstitions and how they have persisted throughout many generations.
Discover how:
- Celtic fairies are behind our compulsion to knock on wood
• Norse mythology is responsible for our fear of the number 13
• Taylor Swift finds the number 13 to be lucky
• A quick death in Japan is thought to be ensured if you cut your toenails at night
• The evil eye is an important talisman in Jewish and Muslim cultures
• The meaning behind your birthstone can predict your personality
• Rabbits hold significance in some Asian and Indigenous cultures
• Finding a husband in Nebraska is as simple as 99 horses, a white mule, and a handshake
• Eating twelve grapes on New Year’s Eve in Spain and Central and South America can bring forth prosperity
Beautiful illustrations further challenge the images your mind may have already held about the beliefs you instinctively carry throughout your life. You will be continually surprised and delighted by how superstitions not only define the bedrock of a culture but also demonstrate the nuanced ways in which we are all connected.
Unlock a world of wonders in The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions.
The Wonderpedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy illustrated references on a range of intriguing topics, including archeological discoveries, world mythology, pop culture, global superstitions, and the fascinating stories behind signs and symbols. A cross-cultural exploration of what makes humans tick, this series magnifies the connective threads between us across time and geography and demystifies the surprising, confounding sides of life.
A Superstitiously Huge Barnes & Noble Member Sale!
A huge sale for Barnes & Noble members is going on right now! And it involves me, so if you love me (or if you like me just a little bit), pay attention to this next part: Through July 11th, if you pre-order my book, The Encyclopedia of Curious Rituals and Superstitions, on the Barnes & Noble site, Rewards Members get 25% off! Premium Members get an additional 10% off! What are you waiting for?
BTW, if you’re getting déjà vu from reading this blog post, that’s because I posted all of this info on social media yesterday, but I figured it’d be a good idea to mention it here on my website as well.
And no, I don’t know what the phrase “superstitiously huge” means. So huge that it triggers superstitious beliefs or rituals, maybe? So huge that you’ll throw salt over your shoulder and look for four-leaf clovers? I don’t know. I just made up that (admittedly awkward-sounding) phrase because I needed a title for this blog post. And I didn’t have enough time to think of a better title. Was I wrong to make up such a nonsensical phrase? Not necessarily. Sometimes I just make up phrases. Or words. Which is perfectly justified. After all, to quote the MCU version of Thor, all words are made up.
The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends Is Out NOW!
As I’ve mentioned in a couple of previous blog posts, I recently wrote a nonfiction book called The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends. Why am I mentioning this? And why am I mentioning this TODAY of all days? Because The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends came out TODAY from Quarto Publishing Group’s Wellfleet Press imprint. In this book, I retell a variety of classic myths and legends from all over the world, presenting a truly diverse mélange of powerful, resonant stories about gods, monsters, heroes, and villains. But the whole “retelling” thing? That’s only part of this book. The other part is an analysis of how these ancient tales have influenced and informed modern-day pop culture.
Hey! Want to read a glowing review of the book? Sure you do!
Here are some pictures from the “Epic Myths and Legends” panel I moderated at the San Diego Comic Con back in July. The panel was so much fun! It was a great way to promote the book, and it also gave me a wonderful excuse to hang out with some of my fellow writer friends (aka the panelists)!
And here’s the official publisher description of the book:
In this unique exploration of world mythology, discover how ancient tales across cultures have influenced today’s pop culture, from Beyoncé to Game of Thrones.
Fun and engaging, The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends details the influences of classical stories on contemporary popular culture. Without these myths, passed down through the generations over three millennia, many of the stories we enjoy in our current media wouldn’t exist!
Along with colorful illustrations and graphics, author Arie Kaplan makes unexpected connections in our everyday lives. Are you wearing Nike shoes? The company is named after the Greek goddess of victory. Big on astronomy? Most of the planets in our solar system, like Mercury, Jupiter, and Mars, are named after members of the Roman pantheon. Kaplan takes you on a deep dive into mythology from around the world and shows that Superman and Achilles are connected, Frankenstein and Prometheus were cut from the same cloth, and how an Egyptian sun god has inspired video games, the musical stage, and the silver screen.
The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends deftly combines history and modern pop culture to enrich your experience of both worlds. This captivating book covers:
- Not only the Greek Pantheon but mythology from cultures from all around the world, from West African mythology to Egyptian, Roman, Incan, Celtic, Indian, Zoroastrian, Norse, Japanese, Chinese, and British myths, to name a few.
- Unexpected correlations between things we see in our everyday lives and mythology, like Beyoncé’s use of imagery of the Yoruba water goddess Osun, the Marvel Universe and Norse gods Loki, Thor, and Odin, and Superman’s conception through Hercules, King Arthur, and Moses.
- Fascinating sidebars that break down legendary lore such as unicorns, the Tooth Fairy, and Stonehenge, as well as examinations of mythic masters who have expertly woven these timeless tales into pop culture like Neil Gaiman and George Lucas.
- A deep dive into the fascinating folklore from all around the world, and how we all are connected, no matter how far apart we might be.
With countless Easter eggs revealed throughout, The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends is an exciting way to learn about ancient mythology. You may think you know what
inspired The Hunger Games or Percy Jackson, but now you can truly discover the source of these modern tales.
The Wonderpedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy illustrated references on a range of intriguing topics, including archeological discoveries, world mythology, pop culture, global superstitions, and the fascinating stories behind signs and symbols. A cross-cultural exploration of what makes humans tick, this series magnifies the connective threads between us across time and geography and demystifies the surprising, confounding sides of life.
You can order the book on the Quarto site if you click HERE.
And you can order it on Amazon if you click HERE.