The Hellenic Museum Summer Reading Guide
- Hellenic Museum
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Summer in Melbourne: the smell of SPF, blue-and-white cabanas dotting the shore, and the cool shock of Victorian water on sun-kissed skin. The only thing missing is a page-turning book to keep you in better company than the seagulls circling your fish and chips.
From the epics of Homer to the histories of Herodotus, storytelling has always been at the heart of Greek culture. So, this summer, we’ve curated a Hellenic-inspired reading list! With a mix of genres, ages and interests, each title offers a different way to broaden your mental horizons and connect with Greece – its myths, histories, and modern voices.
The Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller
Genre: fiction, mythological retelling
Age range: young adult (14+)
Every Greek mythology lover knows the tale of Achilles, but in Miller's moving adaptation, we get to experience it anew through the quiet and compassionate voice of his 'right hand man', Patroclus. Equal parts epic and love story, this modern rendering of the Trojan War strips the myth back to its beating heart, offering a deeply human take on heroism, loyalty and loss. It’s a modern classic, perfect for readers who like their epics intimate, emotional, and impossible to forget.
Talking to My Daughter About the Economy: A Brief History of Capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis
Genre: non-fiction, finance & economics
Age range: adult, 20+
In a series of letters to his teenage daughter, world-famous economist and former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis unravels the big ideas behind capitalism, inequality and power with clarity and warmth. Drawing upon myth, history and everyday life, Varoufakis reframes these complex ideas as easily digestible and innately human stories – reminding us that economics isn't just about money, but the values that shape our world.
Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernières
Genre: historical fiction, war, romance
Age range: young adult (14+)
Set in a small village on the Aegean cost, Birds Without Wings is a richly textured portrait of a world on the brink of disappearance. Through interwoven voices – Greek and Turkish, Christian and Muslim – the novel explores love, faith and everyday life as centuries of peaceful coexistence begin to unravel in the shadow of war and the birth of modern nations. Centred around two lovers from opposing sides, this tender and powerful tale is a meditation on identity and belonging, and a reminder of how history reshapes ordinary lives.
The Penguin Book of Classical Myths by Dr Jenny March
Genre: classics, mythology
Age range: adult, 20+
This Penguin classic is a definitive guide to the gods, heroes and monsters of the ancient world, bringing Greek and Roman mythology into clear and compelling focus. Dr Jenny March draws on original sources to retell these foundational stories with warmth and precision, making them accessible to newcomers while still rewarding seasoned myth-lovers. An essential companion for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the ancient legends that continue to shape art and culture today.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Genre: young adult, fantasy
Age range: tween and young adult (10+)
This first instalment in the beloved Percy Jackson series brings the ancient Greek gods crashing into contemporary life. Percy is a troubled twelve-year-old, navigating life with ADHD, dyslexia, an absent father, and his impending adolescence. But when it turns out that his dad is Poseidon – making Percy a demigod! – he's whisked off to 'Camp Half-Blood' where an epic cross-country adventure ensues. This witty, fast-paced fantasy saga makes Greek mythology irresistible for younger readers, and a joy for adults revisiting the myths with fresh eyes.
Whether you’re stretched out by the sea or dreaming of distant shores from home, these Hellenic-inspired reads offer many ways to broaden your horizons. No matter where your summer takes you, we hope these stories help transport you to other worlds and keep Greece close at hand, one page at a time.
Looking for even more summer reading ideas? Visit the Hellenic Museum shop for a curated selection of books available online and in-store.
