“Knowing I loved my books, he'd furnish'd me from mine own library with volumes that I prize above my dukedom."--Prospero, The Tempest, Act One, scene two

Shakespeare, W. (1623). First Folio [Book cover image]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Shakespeare_-_First_Folio_1623.jpg
 

There are a ton of books on Shakespeare, but here are a few of the best. Check your school and public library's online catalog to see if they have any of these for you to borrow. If not, your librarian can probably access a copy for you through interlibrary loan. You can use WorldCat to check if any of the libraries closest to you have these in their collections. Instructions for using WorldCat can be found at the bottom of this page. Citations for all of the works can be found on the References page. Happy reading!

Shakespeare: The Biography by Peter Ackroyd

Ackroyd is a respected literary biographer who has written about authors such as T.S. Eliot and William Blake. In his biography about Shakespeare, Ackroyd puts a narrative spin on the life and times of both The Bard and Elizabethan England. It takes place from Shakespeare’s birth and follows him to the London Globe, and then back home to Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare died. This book is not an analysis of Shakespeare’s texts, but Ackroyd does connect texts with major events in the author’s life. 

The Shakespeare Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained by Roger May

This book is perfect for students who need to get the most relevant information about Shakespeare and his works in a quick and easy way. Included in the book are summaries of Shakespeare's major plays and sonnets, biographical information on The Bard, and other fun and interesting facts. While it doesn't delve into the history of the period as much as other books, this text does give some historical context. There are plenty of pictures and other visuals that make the book both interesting and easy to follow. This was written for a younger audience, which means you won't have to wade through tricky academic language!

Shakespeare: The World As Stage by Bill Bryson

Known for his humor and wit, Bill Bryson has written what is probably the most enjoyable biography of Shakespeare that's currently available. Since Shakespeare lived a long time ago, much of his life remains unknown. Bryson, however, has read his way through all of the research to give us a portrait of the man Shakespeare was. Bryson also describes life in Elizabethan England, giving insight into the social and political climates of the period. Bryson's biography makes Shakespeare feel much more real to readers, and the fun facts you learn along the way will surely wow your trivia night teammates!

Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare by Stephen Greenblatt

This book blends both historical information and literary analysis. It shows readers how the society in which Shakespeare lived shaped not only his life but also his writing. There are two parts to this book: Shakespeare the artist and Shakespeare the man. It is as fascinating as it is informative, and the pictures Greenblatt creates about Elizabethan England provide even more context to Shakespeare's plays. 

The Tudors: Kings, Queens, Scribes and Ferrets! by Marcia Williams

This comic-strip history is a quick and fun way to learn more about the time in which Shakespeare lived and wrote. Told through the eyes of Arthur Inkblott, Queen Elizabeth I's favorite scribe (and added commentary given by his pet ferret, Smudge), readers look at the life of King Henry VIII, all of those wives, and Queen Elizabeth I, who supported Shakespeare's theatre company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men. There is a lot of valuable information in this book, but through humor and illustrations, the reader sometimes forgets they're actually learning! This is a great book to read when first starting to learn about Shakespeare because it's quick and provides a lot of context. 

How to Use WorldCat

1. Create a free account. When creating your account, make sure you select your location and favorite libraries. 

2. Use keywords to search by title, author, or topic (Example: Shakespeare: The World as Stage Bill Bryson).

3. You can make your search more specific by applying filters on the left (format, author, publication year, etc.).

4. If you put in your location, the results should include libraries nearest to you that have the text.

5. If your school or public library does not have the text, talk to your librarian about borrowing it through interlibrary loan.