Where to Start with Cory O’Brien
If you are new to Cory O’Brien’s writing, the absolute best place to start is with his breakout hit, Zeus Grants Stupid Wishes: A No-Bullshit Guide to World Mythology. This book perfectly encapsulates O’Brien’s signature style: retelling classic stories with modern, profanity-laced humor, while remaining surprisingly faithful to the core elements of the original myths. It reads like a tipsy friend explaining ancient history to you at a bar, making it both educational and incredibly funny.
If you prefer fiction over mythological retellings, you should skip straight to his debut novel, Two Truths and a Lie. This book represents a shift from his non-fiction humor guides into a narrative-driven cyberpunk-noir world, though it maintains the same sharp wit and unique voice that fans of his blog, BetterMyths.com, fell in love with years ago.
The "No-Bullshit" Guides (Humorous Non-Fiction)
O’Brien first gained internet fame through his blog, which eventually led to a two-book deal for his non-fiction guides. These books can be read in any order, but reading them in publication order lets you see his style evolve.
- Zeus Grants Stupid Wishes: A No-Bullshit Guide to World Mythology (2013) – Retells Greek, Norse, Sumerian, and Chinese myths with modern slang and high-energy rants. Rather than sanitizing the stories, O’Brien highlights the bizarre, cruel, and outright ridiculous actions of ancient gods.
- George Washington Is Cash Money: A No-Bullshit Guide to the United Myths of America (2015) – Applies the same satirical, unfiltered lens to American history. From Teddy Roosevelt’s bullet-stopping chest to Harriet Tubman’s heroic escapes, O’Brien demystifies American folklore and legendary historical figures.
Diving into Cyberpunk Noir Fiction
After a decade of focusing on game design and shorter writing projects, O’Brien released his debut full-length novel:
- Two Truths and a Lie (2025) – Set in a near-future, partially submerged Los Angeles, the story follows Orr Vue, a retired combat-drone veteran who trades information to survive. When his former boyfriend, Auggie Wolf, is accused of murder, Orr must dust off his illegal drone fleet and navigate corporate conspiracies, cults, and rogue AIs to clear his name. This is a standalone novel that blends mystery, cyberpunk elements, romance, and dark humor.
Interactive Storytelling: Games Written by Cory O'Brien
O’Brien’s versatile storytelling extends beyond traditional books. For fans who want to experience his witty dialogue and character design dynamically, these games are essential additions to your checklist:
- Monster Prom (2018) – A multiplayer dating simulator where O’Brien served as a narrative designer and writer. It features the same irreverent, adult-humor tone found in his mythological guides.
- Inhuman Conditions (2019) – A two-player tabletop interrogation game co-designed with Tommy Maranges. Players take on the roles of an investigator and a suspect, trying to determine if the suspect is a human or a robot in a tense, five-minute interview.
- Holovista (2020) – A synthwave social media simulator game where O’Brien contributed as a narrative designer, exploring themes of digital identity and corporate surveillance.
Cory O’Brien Book List in Publication Order
- Zeus Grants Stupid Wishes: A No-Bullshit Guide to World Mythology (2013)
- George Washington Is Cash Money: A No-Bullshit Guide to the United Myths of America (2015)
- Two Truths and a Lie (2025)
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into O’Brien’s works, keep in mind that his books contain strong language, adult humor, and a highly conversational, casual formatting style. While his non-fiction retellings are highly accurate to original historical sources and translations, they are deliberately written to strip away the academic stuffiness of classic literature. If you appreciate dry satire, pop-culture references, and direct storytelling, you will find his library incredibly refreshing.