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Like mentioned by u/PissOfDiogenes it is great for Greek mythology.
If you look for a book on Norse mythology I'd recommend Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. It is fun to read and covers a lot.
Would recommend An Early Meal: A Viking Age Cookbook and Culinary Odyssey. Recipes based on archeological findings in different regions of early Scandinavia, using ingredients found at these sites with slight modernisation. Some of the recipes are a little difficult to do (involve soured milk. Etc) but a very interesting and informative read none-the-less. Has to be taken with a pinch of salt though, obviously some speculation here due to the incomplete evidence.
Became curious and had a look at its amazon reviews: https://www.amazon.com/Children-Ash-Elm-History-Vikings-ebook/dp/B07XCSRG2S
Seems you are not alone - quite a few readers think he comes up with unsubstantiated claims or tries to impress modern cultural sensibilities upon norse culture. Haven't read it yet, so have no opinion myself.
I believe that there's a version of a lukkastafir here, in the Huld manuscript. I believe that this particular author noted elsewhere that Stephen Flowers mistranslated something as being a lukkastafir; is this from a Flowers translation?
Edit: strictly speaking, this is long past the viking period, likely 1500-1800. I'm not sure what the right sub would be for this.
There is a Jesuit who has done a lot of scholarship into pre Latinized Christanity of Scandinavia, Germany, and Anglo-Saxon England.
This book looks at the Christian art, architecture, and literature that they created that utilizes pre Christian folk culture and myths.
The same guy has a translation of the Heliand, a retelling of the gospel as a Germanic epic and that will use folk symbols, images, and myths in the same way. And he had a third book that is a commentary on the Heliand.
Dusk of the Gods was what introduced me to the mythology, so I'm pretty fond of it. You play an einherjar trying to avert the deaths of notable gods during the Ragnarok. What fascinated me about it was that it was a completely open world with a completely optional quest. You ended the game by giving Heimdell his horn, which would be followed by Baldr telling you the fates of everyone after the battle. You could save some, all, or none of them. Either way the world is reborn. Pretty impressive for 1991.
Viking Language 1 and 2 by Jesse L. Byock. Here's the first one:
https://www.amazon.com/Viking-Language-Learn-Norse-Icelandic/dp/1480216445
You can get audio recordings for the lessons on Amazon or iTunes as well.
The courses are by far the most modernized, user-friendly courses available. A close second would be 'A New Introduction to Old Norse,' which can be purchased here:
https://acmrs.org/publications/catalog/new-introduction-old-norse-part-i-ii-and-iii-discount-set
Someone's been spending time at r/asatru huh. While I largely agree, I think consolation prize is the wrong wording. The ideologies of professional warriors differed from others, and what was the best outcome for one need not be the best for another. If you're interested in this, you should read Terry Gunnells "From One High to Another".
Since there is some confusion, here's a link to the Kickstarter. No, its not my project, I just did some digging. Looks like its around $400-$500 short of funding with 11 days ago at this time.
The quality varies a lot, some of them (like for example Egil's Saga or Njal's Saga) are nothing short of masterpieces of medieval literature. Others are quite forgettable. If you are interested but don't feel like spending the 300$ price of the full package, a good chunk of it (I'd say roughly 20%) is included in this collection. The translators are the same as in the complete collection, and IMO it's an overall well done volume, especially for its price.
Thanks so much! This is all uber useful. I know what I'll be reading this evening! So that's your personal blog, of sorts?
This is the copy of the Poetic Edda I was looking at. I'm not sure if that one is the "revised" edition.
I've been reading The Viking Spirit off and on. It's a pretty easy read and each "chapter" is a different story, so you can skip to pretty much anywhere in the book.
Not really sure how this sub feels about Daniel McCoy though. I haven't really read much else as far as mythology, that was just one of the first things to pop up on Amazon at a decent price.
Here's a different Thor's Stone name: http://www.behindthename.com/name/torsten
Also, this site says "hallur" means "steep": https://glosbe.com/is/en/hallur
So maybe Thorhallur is a geographic location of steep mountains that Thor used to trod.
Found the "Mjolnir" cover on Amazon. Here's the B&N leatherbound edition for comparison: https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/tales-of-norse-mythology-helen-a-guerber/1124083868
Reviews on the Amazon copy are on point: pretty book but highly questionable scholarship. Time has marched on since it was written.
Ich finde das Buch „Nordische Göttersagen von Waldtraud Lewin eigentlich ganz gut als Einführung, wobei die Sprache teilweise etwas schwierig für Kinder zu verstehen sein könnte. Aber alles in allem ist es verständlich geschrieben und in kurze Kapitel unterteilt, weshalb es sich auch gut zum Vorlesen eignet :)
Alternativ wäre da noch das Buch von Neil Gaiman, was auch auf Spotify verfügbar ist.
I did.
>Christianity certainly had an some impact on the evolution of the Norse belief system.
According to this paper, alfar in Iceland were once considered separate from the guardian spirits that looked over the landscape, or landvaettir. Fast forward 200 years after Christianity's establishment as Iceland's chief religion, and you'll see that alfar and landvaettir were lumped together as spirits of the landscape that were much lesser than and opposed to God. Today in Iceland, the landvaettir and alfar have completely combined into the "Elves" that are known, and sometimes feared, by all the populace today. This happened in other parts of Europe too, with there being "fairy groves" in Ireland, and an entire tradition of "fairy witches" in Italy that still exists today while subsumed in modern neopaganism. However, I digress, but it's true that Christianity had an enormous impact on the way nature spirits were/are viewed in Scandinavia.
If you are going to Uppsala (as I take it from looking at the picture) then you will also be about an hour away from Stockholm.
I haven't been much in Uppsala so I can't really say much, but the Museum Gustavianum and the Linnaeus Garden are quite interesting.
But Stockholm though, there you will find a TON of places to go to. One thing that you really shouldn't miss is Fjällgatan a sunny evening.
Well not really sure what you mean in regards to the churches, most people I have talked to about the subject have claimed that stave churches are more or less identical to what was before, just minus the cross on top. Indeed in some stave churches there's rune graffitti cut into the benches and walls.
Can't really help you with Trondheim layout, currently too far away from trondheim, if I was in the area I could probably jump inside a museum or something and ask, but that's out off the question atm.
Yes there were dedicated priests, and bishops, Grimkjell is probably the most famous though I can't find much info on him beside that he was an asshole and the right hand of St. Olaf (whihc isn't the same as Olaf Tryggvason) Ansgar also, the apostle of the north. Tangbrand a saxon priest was sent to Iceland by Tryggvason, he was on Iceland for two years, baptized a few men and killed three
I got some stuff here in Norwegian that I could translate for you regarding the laws etc from back then made by the church n such. (slightly busy withs school stuff right now, so will perhaps not be today...)
Here's a recording of Ormurin Langi, a ballad sung about Olaf Tryggvason and his last battle at Svolder https://vimeo.com/45863709 it's in Farose my language, so I doubt you'll understand it, but hey it's about the same subject.
Both Olaf Tryggvason and St. Olaf made a big number out of introducing Christianity by the sword(whihc I'm somewhat sure you know already) As for the cermonies of coronation, no real info on that.
I'll take a look over the weekend for more info when I have more time, in the meantime good luck with the project.
If you're hunting for a mythological basis for "Guardians of Asgard" by Amon Amarth, there is none.
It's a fun song, and Amon Amarth is a badass band, but in terms of mythological accuracy they're about as good as you would expect a band called "Mount Doom" in Tolkien elvish to be.
Seems more literally to mean great deed/accomplishment.
https://glosbe.com/is/en/st%C3%B3rr%C3%A6%C3%B0i
Apparently the reason she got it was burning a couple of her more aggressive suitors alive. http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/SigridStorrada.shtml
Sorry for the late response. For mobile(/android) I use an app called "write in runic", which gives me easy access to any runic keyboard. On desktop I use this site. Both have younger futhark's long branch and short twig variations.
(I wouldn't use them as converters/translators tho.)
Mi español no es muy bueno pero trato de ayudar. Pienso que no hay muchos recursos en español pero encontré este libro. No sé si la información de este libro es muy bueno, pero tal vez sea un buen comienzo?
I love the design of these cuffs. There are various takes on this from different makers. The cheap ones turn your skin green as the finish wears off (use clear coat to prevent). The expensive ones from Crafty Celts are better and come in bronze or stifling silver.
I use memrise as an instrument to build some vocab. When I have collected enough pretty words I'll raid this guy's book for me grammars:
http://www.amazon.com/Viking-Language-Learn-Norse-Icelandic/dp/1480216445/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Also, last time I checked this was weirdly not on the reading list:
The vast majority of Norse myths come from two books that are surprisingly accessible to modern audiences if you have a good translation. And as it so happens, they are also pretty cheap!
My recommendation is to get this version of the Poetic Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199675341/ref=mp_s_a_1_1) and this version of the Prose Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163/ref=mp_s_a_1_1).
My recommendation is to get this version of the Poetic Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199675341/ref=mp_s_a_1_1) and this version of the Prose Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163/ref=mp_s_a_1_1). Both come in hardcover.
Oh ok, I think I saw that one as well but I spotted this one.
Since you have a wood burning tool, here’s a metal stencil for runes
Not a big ask at all.
In Search of First Contact by Annette Kolodny would be my first recommendation. Pretty much exactly what you're hoping for. Kolodny is, first and foremost, a literary scholar, so it's very focused on the Vinland sagas. She analyzes Native American myths and stories too. Very good read. The first two chapters are what you're looking for, the rest discusses the way stories and myth of Norse settlement in NA evolved in American culture, art, etc.
Norse America by Gordon Campbell is worth reading too. It's a lot more critical of a lot of the accepted mythology about Norse settlement in NA. Though you may find it somewhat deflating, it does cut through a lot of the fanciful mythologizing that surrounds real events. Several chapters are about hoaxes, exaggerations, and what modern Americans do with the stories surrounding Norse colonization of NA, but the first few chapters, one of which is devoted directly to sagas and chronicles, are probably right up your alley.
3D printed in wax before it's cast.
Original on top, the copy made for Quisling in the middle and 3d printed copy at the bottom.
Yeah, I made a mistake, I had seen that I should get "The Prose Edda, translated by Anthony Faulkes (1987)" by looking around on this sub, and I found this amazon link - https://www.amazon.com/dp/053095401X?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details and people in the reviews were saying it was translated by faulkes, but it appears that it is not!
I've made the judgment call to remove this post. Yeah sure, maybe all these ingredients existed at the time (although I can see immediately that many of these would not have existed in medieval Scandinavia), but you haven't provided any reference to an actual attested historical recipe, so I don't see how it's relevant at all to discussion of Norse and Viking history, mythology, language, art and culture.
If you had cooked a recipe from a book such as <em>An Early Meal - A Viking Age Cookbook & Culinary Odyssey</em> that would be a different story. There's really no reason to believe anyone in the Viking period would have cooked your meal.
If you have any questions you can send us a Modmail message, and we will get back to you right away.
This is a very intimate look at a replica of the Gokstad Longboat and the trip it made across the Atlantic Ocean
Crawford's is good, but Carolyne Larrington's is the best. Her book, (Norse Myths: A Guide to the Gods and Heroes)[https://www.amazon.com/dp/0500251967/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_C28BSJR4DNQRMEVJDGS8] is also a good companion piece.
Riyidecor Norse Flag Tapestry 60x80 Inch Blue Boat Warship of The Vikings Drakkar Boat On Fire and Runes Creative Black Warrior Home Decoration Bedroom Living Room Dorm Wall Hanging https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07X1PK543/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_2836SKXBDH4CJ74A0ZC7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
For learning about their religion (which is a little complicated thanks to nobody writing their stories down until they all converted to Christianity) I recommend Norse Myths: A Guide to the Gods and Heroes by Caroline Larrington. She's one of the most respected scholars on the subject, at least on the English-speaking side of things.
If you wanna read the medieval sources, her translation of the Poetic Edda is the best IMO.
If you wanna watch videos about Norse Mythology, easily the #1 channel is Jackson Crawfod. He has literally hundreds of easily-digestable videos on every imaginable subject relating to Norse Mythology.
As for things to avoid. Do *not" go onto norse-mythology.org AKA "Norse Mythology for Smart People", or read the creator's book "The Viking Spirit". He touts his works to be the ultimate source for learning about Norse Mythology, but his research is outdated and he spouts claims about the legitimacy of the medieval sources based on super flimsy reasoning that a lot of modern scholars will disagree with. Avoid it like the plague.
Jackson Crawford released an audio.version of his Poetic Edda translation in November. It’s voiced by him and might be a good addition to other suggestions.
The Poetic Edda: Stories of the Norse Gods and Heroes. By. Jackson Crawford
> No people are more addicted to divination by omens and lots. The latter is performed in the following simple manner. They cut a twig 68 from a fruit-tree, and divide it into small pieces, which, distinguished by certain marks, are thrown promiscuously upon a white garment. Then, the priest of the canton, if the occasion be public; if private, the master of the family; after an invocation of the gods, with his eyes lifted up to heaven, thrice takes out each piece, and, as they come up, interprets their signification according to the marks fixed upon them. If the result prove unfavorable, there is no more consultation on the same affair that day; if propitious, a confirmation by omens is still required. In common with other nations, the Germans are acquainted with the practice of auguring from the notes and flight of birds; but it is peculiar to them to derive admonitions and presages from horses also. 69 Certain of these animals, milk-white, and untouched by earthly labor, are pastured at the public expense in the sacred woods and groves. These, yoked to a consecrated chariot, are accompanied by the priest, and king, or chief person of the community, who attentively observe their manner of neighing and snorting; and no kind of augury is more credited, not only among the populace, but among the nobles and priests. For the latter consider themselves as the ministers of the gods, and the horses, as privy to the divine will. Another kind of divination, by which they explore the event of momentous wars, is to oblige a prisoner, taken by any means whatsoever from the nation with whom they are at variance, to fight with a picked man of their own, each with his own country's arms; and, according as the victory falls, they presage success to the one or to the other party.
Tacitus ca 98 CE.
So I have been going through the Gutenburg. I know it's the name of the bible that destroyed paganism but the website is really good to have a browse :)
I was recently gifted "Norse Myths: Viking Legends of Heroes and God's" by Martin J Dougherty. I've only read the intro so far, and he take time to explain that a lot of what we "know" is speculation and inference, and we can't really say for sure. This gives me hope that the book may be fairly accurate, but before I commit I was wondering if anyone here has read it, and what you think of it if so.
Unfortunarely, that book was written in Brazilian Portuguese. I even tried to find an English-speaking translation of it, but nothing. In case you are fluent in it, this is the book.
Think I found the passage
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1150/1150-h/1150-h.htm
>Woden himself dwelt at Upsala and Byzantium (Asgard); and the northern kings sent him a golden image ring-bedecked, which he made to speak oracles. His wife Frigga stole the bracelets and played him false with a servant, who advised her to destroy and rob the image.
>When Woden was away (hiding the disgrace brought on him by Frigga his wife), an imposter, Mid Odin, possibly Loke in disguise, usurped his place at Upsala, instituted special drink-offerings, fled to Finland on Woden's return, and was slain by the Fins and laid in barrow. But the barrow smote all that approached it with death, till the body was unearthed, beheaded, and impaled, a well-known process for stopping the haunting of an obnoxious or dangerous ghost.
>Woden had a son Balder, rival of Hother for the love of Nanna, daughter of King Gewar. Woden and Thor his son fought for him against Hother, but in vain, for Hother won the laity and put Balder to shameful flight; however, Balder, half-frenzied by his dreams of Nanna, in turn drove him into exile (winning the lady); finally Hother, befriended hy luck and the Wood Maidens, to whom he owed his early successes and his magic coat, belt, and girdle (there is obvious confusion here in the text), at last met Balder and stabbed him in the side. Of this wound Balder died in three days, as was foretold by the awful dream in which Proserpina (Hela) appeared to him. Balder's grand burial, his barrow, and the magic flood which burst from it when one Harald tried to break into it, and terrified the robbers, are described.
>The death of Balder led Woden to seek revenge. Hrossthiof the wizard, whom he consulted, told him he must beget a son by "Wrinda" (Rinda, daughter of the King of the Ruthenians), who should avenge his half-brother.
If you're still looking for a book I recommend those by Lars Henrik Olsen, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Erik-Gods-Valhalla-Lars-Henrik-Olsen/dp/1906582939/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1639248003&sr=8-1
Not exactly what you're asking for but I think you'd like Soren Sindbaek's article Just fill in some nonsense to download the article.
My surname comes from the Middle Saxon, but my mother’s maiden name was Waldie, it’s Scottish, but is Anglo-Scandinavian in origin and means- “battle-thief.” Does that count?
If you hear a modern Icelander speak... it's hard to describe, but that R at the end almost turns from a trill into... I guess blowing over the tip of your tongue is the best way I can describe it. Sort of like an unvoiced trill.
Here's a native speaker: http://www.forvo.com/word/ma%C3%B0ur/
(The top one is Faroese, Icelandic is beneath the map.)
Is that how it sounded in Old Norse? We can't really say, but it's about as close as you'll get.
The sickle or scythe represents death. I tried looking for crossed sickle/scythe and the most I could find is it related to the “Sons of Anarchy” TV show/motorcycle group …
Sons of Anarchy Crossed Sickles Hooded Sweatshirt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GSKHN1A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_YF9WNBMCHAN9TZ3TF2T4
Its fine, tho Anthony Faulkes' Prose Edda is a more complete edition by including Háttatal.
Carolyne Larrington's translation of the Poetic Edda, the 2nd edition, is a solid translation with notes.
Zimmerman, J: Make Mead Like a Viking: Traditional Techniques for Brewing Natural, Wild-Fermented, Honey-Based Wines and Beers https://www.amazon.de/dp/1603585982/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_TGFPSTS5KCX0Y6W94ZM3
Already take care of!!!
This is one I found on Amazon a while ago but I personally don’t know how accurate it is in regards to what you’re looking for
Norse Tradesman Thor's Hammer Necklace - Solid Brass Mjolnir Pendant with Adjustable Genuine Leather Cord https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCDYQMG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SHHS9ZXJWG3T1HKHT8T6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I was interested in the Viking sagas so I checked out this book in my local library. Before reading I wanted to know if people generally considered this translation to be good? If not, what are some good translations?
There's a book about the find: https://www.amazon.com/M%C3%A4stermyr-Find-Viking-Chest-Gotland/dp/0965075516
​
If you sail the seven seas you can find it for plunder...
This book discusses them and argues that they were built that way to associate them with Yggdrasil.
Throwing Axe - Win Your Next Viking Throwing Tomahawk Competition! 19" Hand Forged Hatchet from High Carbon Steel, NMLRA Approved, 100% Guaranteed from Defects https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2WHL94/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_JJK87PK4RYSPAEZGM2XD
Backing up your comment, Jackson Crawford has printed his translations of the the saga of the Volsung, and it includes Ragnar’s saga. On Amazon here
For Runes I used Viking Language 1: Learn Old Norse, Runes, and Icelandic Sagas
And I recommend Njal’s Saga, Egil’s Saga, or The Saga of the Volsungs as places to start.
Also be sure to check out Dr. Jackson Crawford’s YouTube channel for discussions on both topics.
I'm actually doing this with my epic fantasy series retelling the myths and focusing on the gods, such as Loki, Odin, and Sigyn. Definitely geared for adults. Definitely a lot of throwing knives.
The first book is called Truth and Other Lies.
Do you know the book "How Thor Lost His Thunder"? The author argues that Thor wasn't really a thundergod. It's just an epitaph that gets copied, but there's no real evidence for it. An interesting take on the subject.
I don't know the text you refer to. Also a less-common view it seems. I like to see varying opinions.
This is the Viking version of a series of mythology books, the illustrations are gorgeous, easily readable:https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Heroes-Viking-Mythology-World/dp/087226906X/ref=sr_1_16?dchild=1&keywords=gods+viking+mythology&qid=1602734876&sr=8-16
(I chose Amazon US but it is available in most ofthe other Amazons)
I took a mythology class and one of our “textbooks” was The Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley Holland and I loved it so much I never got rid of it.
It’s basically just an English translation of the Norse myths starting with the creation and ending with ragnarok and everything in between. Highly recommend.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1X1HMA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_hzWtbif96Kzsp
Here ya go, they cast em by hand in bronze. There's also a sterling version but its pricey.
They have a lot of good merch i highly recommend 👌
Fenrir, Garmr, Sköll, Hati, Hróðvitnir, Vánagandr, Vanargand, Fenrisúlfr, Mánagarmr.
​
Um, and that´s like, the only names in Norse Mythology given to dogs. All of which or wolves, maybe not Garmr, who is just 'Hound'.
And there are only four wolves named there, Fenrir, Garmr, Sköll, and Hati.
Fenrir's spouse was left unnamed. The vast majority of the names just being different ways to refer to Fenrir. And some theories say all of them are referring to Fenrir.
​
I wouldn't say all the names are "masculine" names, just because all four are males. Because of what the names actually mean: Myre's Wolf, Hound, Treachery, Hater (a bit harsh, the last ones).
So, the names aren't associating with any gender. Although there are three gender cases in Icelandic, male, female, and neuter. But I don't know enough Icelandic to say if Fenrisulfr, is in what case. It's not Fenrisulfrinn? Or Fenrisulfrun? So maybe it's neutral??????? (Don't quote me on that.)
​
And then again, the names are just saying what they kinda are, like whatever wolf or hound, or an adjective. Famed wolf, One who hates, etc.
So, I guess you could just name your dog any Old Icelandic adjective??? And it would be fine?
​
Uhhh, so here's a dictionary, I guess:
XD.
As for what they ate. I recommend a book called: An Early Meal a Viking Age Cookbook and Culinary Odyssey by Daniel Serra & Hanna Tunberg. In essence it’s a cooking book, but has very nice and detailed overview on the different types of food the Viking Age people consumed.
https://www.amazon.com/Early-Viking-Cookbook-Culinary-Odyssey/dp/9198105604
Respect. Is this the order one should learn?
- And do you know which Publishers online? (Like Amazon)
Yeah the Poetic Edda translated by Lee Hollander and I for sure will, I’ll probably dump it in a google doc and upload it for free, just wanna get through it originally first and then “re-translate it” in my spare time as a passion project
Edit: Found it on amazon
Neil Gaimans book is very much a beginners overview of the mythology. If your brother doesn’t have much background knowledge of myths and legends it’ll be perfect. The audiobook narration by Gaiman is a bit lacking, but the BBC did a audio-drama
Alternatively there’s Gods and Myths of Northern Europe
And the Penguin Book of Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland
The prose edda is pretty good, penguin has a print of it you can get off of amazon for pretty cheap. https://www.amazon.com/Prose-Edda-Mythology-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140447555
That is awesome. I found his book for anyone wanting a physical copy.
If you want a Danish perspective then the following book looks like promising starting point (I haven't read it)
Mythology and Nation Building: N.F.S. Grundtvig and His Contemporaries
This interdisciplinary anthology offers new perspectives on the role of pre-Christian mythologies in the formation of national communities in 19th Century Europe. Through a combination of theoretical articles and case studies, it provides new understandings of how intellectual and cultural thinkers across Europe utilised pre-Christian mythologies as a resource for forging their respective national communities.
Have you combed over the sources cited in the Wikipedia article? When researching oddly enough I always start there and follow the bunny trails off of it based on how many pages are dedicated to the subject. If you've got access to Jstor then start there.
It's all about the Sagas of the Icelanders. Start with this collection:
The Sagas of Icelanders: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0141000031/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.AhfBb6TXXZKX
Neil Gaiman - Norse Mythology (uk link) is really good, covers about 12 (give or take) tales from the norse times
These are not primary sources, but overall good intros that will have leads to the sources.
The Vikings in Britain and Ireland is a good place to start https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vikings-Britain-Ireland-Jayne-Carroll/dp/0714128317
It is relatively cheap and Is meant to be an introduction/ general public read. Start here and you can find sources relevant to your project.
Additionally, a more scholarly book is the Viking Diaspora https://www.amazon.com/Viking-Diaspora-Medieval-World/dp/1138020796 This books has lot on the Danelaw.
For primary sources it might be worth looking into the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. It is a bit earlier than the end of the Viking period, but mentions Vikings in England. Orkneyinga saga covers the Orkneys and Hebrides and the connection between Scotland and Norway. There are even some runestones in Sweden that mention people dying in Bath, England if you want to look outside of sagas. Additionally, look at the portable anqituity schemes website and search for Viking artifacts because there are a lot on the site especially for the Viking camps such as Torksey.
If you can get your hands on the Icelandic Sagas you'll have a nice time ahead of you.
Got my set (old Swedish translation) really cheap which these obviously aren't :). They look great though! The reviews seems to indicate the English translations are on point.
Oh, yes I guess I can see that now that you mention it; the myths explaining why, not to be as much taken as a guide for life but more of an explanation.
As far as Vimur, the version of the myth I read specifically said it was menstrual blood, and also mentioned it again when Thor and Loki arrived at their destination that they were caked with blood from the river. But I'm sure there are different versions depending on the translator/author.
Regarding taking the myths literally, yes, that may be foreign to me. I am from America, specifically a VERY Christian region, so many of the stories I grew up on were parables told to teach us morals. Honestly though, I like digging into these myths more. I was reading them, looking for lessons in life rather than explanations of "why" or "how". I think it's something I could grasp once I get my mindset working that way.
So I just get something like this, cut some off, melt it, and then fill the crack with it and let it dry overnight?
Sorry about that, here's the link for the Amazon.ca store: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B06XF6HG4C
If anyone needs the UK one here it is as well: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XF6HG4C
If anyone needs one for another country's Amazon site let me know, or just change the .com to the suffix for your country and the part after the / remains the same.
u/Monsieur_Roux has given an excellent answer from the lore but I want to add a little bit to it since you're asking for book resources. First a caveat: the book I am going to suggest comes from the personal subjective experiences of modern practitioners and is not "textual" in the way that the Prose Edda is. It is totally UPG. That being said I found the Jotunbok (edited by Raven Kaldera) to be very useful way of engaging and understanding Fenris and many of the other Jotunar as long as you can place in the context of "non-canon" religious experiences.
If you want to read retellings of the Edda into stories, I could recommend Kevin Crossley Holland's book.
This is the version I used in my Old Norse class. :)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Viking-Clothing-Garment-Nille-Glaesel/dp/1494475227 She has another one, but I didn't find it on amazon. And this FB group is good: https://www.facebook.com/groups/VikingClothing/
http://www.amazon.com/Seidr-Working-Trance-Prophecy-Witchcraft-ebook/dp/B0079LCRTA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1438535830&sr=1-1&keywords=Seidr%3A+The+Gate+Is+Open I thought this was a well researched book on the history. Not a lot of detail on how to practice but a good foundation.
and now I've gone and bought the book the reviewer recommended. It looks awesome and I was sold by the reviews.
A very comprehensive book in encyclopedic format is John Lindow's Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals and Beliefs. Again, no narrative, but an excellent reference work. Highly recommended.
I had the same problem. As AsaTJ said if you want a physical copy of the poetic edda (the best resourse there is on norse myth) Amazon has it. I'd also recommend "The Penguin Book of Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland". It gives a lot of history and references as well as the myths themselves. It's great for getting an idea of the times and context.
You have missed one of the best ever Swedish historic novels:
Röde Orm by Frans G. Bengtsson.
It is translated to English.
One of my favorite books when I was teen ager.