SPONSORED: “Great Reads” is a regular roundup of books that the Orange County Public Library System thinks you should peruse that month.
Many details of William Shakespeare’s life are speculative, but historians seem to agree that he was born on the same day he died: April 23. In honor of the date, we picked some books this month that were either inspired by or about the great playwright and poet. We threw in a couple of Shakespeare-related DVDs, in a bit of a twist.
Editor’s Note: Home delivery has been temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please refer to the OCLS website for updated information. Some of these titles are available for online/electronic reading.
READS
THE GAP OF TIME
BY JEANETTE WINTERSON
A beautiful homage to one of the Bard’s latter plays: A Winter’s Tale. This story of love and trust gone sour amidst blinding jealousy and pride is set in the fictional US city of New Bohemia. Winterson introduces us to rich and powerful Leo, who decides his pregnant wife and best friend have betrayed him. Holding to this belief costs him everything of true value. With time and forgiveness, he and his family begin to move toward healing and reconciliation.
Click HERE to have delivered.
SHAKESPEARE IN A DIVIDED AMERICA
BY JAMES SHAPIRO
Shakespeare’s works have been taught and studied throughout almost the entirety of American history. Shapiro, widely renowned in the world of Shakespeare academia, gives the reader an informative and entertaining journey into the ways that the Bard’s plays can help us see past our differences and instead work together toward achieving our common goals. An inspired work that showcases just how important shared ideas and experiences can be!
Click HERE to have delivered.
THIS IS SHAKESPEARE
BY EMMA SMITH
Podcaster of Approaching Shakespeare, Smith approaches 20 of Shakespeare’s works – from The Taming of the Shrew to The Tempest – in a new way. Written in a conversational style her goal is to reintroduce readers to “a Shakespeare you could have a drink and good conversation with. This is the perfect choice for readers looking to get a fresh new take on some of Shakespeare’s most famous works.
Click HERE to have delivered.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S MUCH ADO ABOUT MEAN GIRLS
BY IAN DOESCHER
Doescher takes Tina Fey’s cult classic and adapts it in Shakespearean verse. While the Shakespearean language might be intimidating to some, those already familiar with the film will have no problem tackling this work. Readers will laugh out loud to this new parody written so well that you’ll be surprised Shakespeare didn’t write this himself.
Click HERE to have delivered.
FILMS
10 Things I Hate About You
Screenplay by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith
This late 90s film has become a classic, not as timeless as its muse, The Taming of the Shrew, of course, but worthy all the same. Cameron’s the new guy at school and falls hard for the school darling, Bianca. Contrastingly Kat, Bianca’s sister, is known school-wide as a harridan. Neither sister is permitted to date, but only Bianca is concerned with dating. After endless pleading, their father stipulates that Bianca can only date if Kat does. What follows is beautiful shenanigans by Cameron and friends to find a boy-man enough for Kat.
All Is True
Screenplay by Ben Elton
Kenneth Branagh directs and stars in this Shakespeare biopic set in the year 1613. After his world-famous theater burns down, an aged William Shakespeare decides to retire and return home to his family. It turns out, however, that a different kind of drama is afoot in the Shakespeare household – the drama of family. Sure to be a favorite for movie lovers and Shakespeare enthusiasts both!
