With Halloween just around the corner, I've grown pretty interested in European folklore and superstition. I was wondering if anybody knew of any good books to read / documentaries to watch on the topic. I'd love to learn about the occult / paranormal specifically. Fairy tales, monsters, supernatural beings, or even stuff like the origins of strange superstitions (ex sprinkling salt on your doorstep to ward away evil).
Thanks!!
The Folklore Podcast by Mark Norman, a professional folklorist, does a good job on a range of topics. I highly recommend that you look over his impressive catalog of topics and listen to what works for you. Norman pitches the subject to a novice audience.
Blúiríní Béaloidis / Folklore Fragments with Jonny Dillon and Claire Doohan is presented on behalf of the National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin. This tends to be more focused and technical; it would serve you well to listen to a bit and to see if it works for you. They do excellent work with the material at a more academic level.
"European folklore" covers a lot of ground. Some of the answers you seek depends on where in Europe your interests are inclined. I've answered questions presented to /r/AskHistorians over the past five years or so; you might find some literature and topics in some of my answers.