A Shakespearean August

Reading
Image of Shakespeare museum bust

I am participating in the All the World’s a Page read-a-thon. (All the World’s a “Page” hahaha!) I heard about this Shakespeare-themed August read-a-thon through one of my favorite YouTubers, Olivia-Savannah. (Her link and others below.) Seriously, Olivia-Savannah is brilliant (she speaks and reads THREE languages), and she’s much wiser beyond her twenty-something years. Her book reviews are insightful and entertaining.

I’ve chosen to do four of the fun prompts:

THE FOOL WITH ALL THE WISDOM. Take a chance on a book you’re unsure about.
For this prompt I chose The Weight of Their Souls by Deby Fredericks. I’ve never been a sword-and-sorcery reader, but I’m going to take a chance on this fantasy book!

BAND OF BROTHERS. Read a book with multiple points of view or an ensemble cast.
For this prompt I chose The Faulkes Chronicle by David Huddle. It’s a literary novel told in plural first person by eighteen children, “we this” and “we that.”

EVEN INSTALOVE SOUNDS BEAUTIFUL WHEN YOU WRITE IT, WILL. Read a book with pretty writing.
For this prompt I chose The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. I am following cyber-buddy Eileen’s blog that discusses Man Booker Prize winners, and this book won in 1997. When Eileen quoted from the book, the passage was so aroma-evocative that I could smell the scene through the pixels on my computer!

DEFINITELY NOT SET IN ENGLAND, I PROMISE. Read a book set in a country you don’t live in.
For this prompt I chose Miracle Girl by Sisovethu Ndubela. It’s set in New Brighton, South Africa. This is ultimately a feel-good book recommended by another cyber-buddy, Iseult.

Fabulous links:

Olivia-Savannah’s YouTube announcement of the All the World’s a Page read-a-thon.

Eileen’s review of The God of Small Things.

Iseult’s review of Miracle Girl.

Whether you are reading Shakespeare or Harlequin (or Ross Jeffery, you brave soul, you), enjoy your August reading!

Feature image by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash.

Published

69 thoughts on “A Shakespearean August”

  2. I was just snickering at All the World’s a Page and then read your next sentence, lol. I’ve also never heard of plural first person – I’d have to adjust my brain for that one. Good luck with the challenge, Priscilla!

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    1. Thanks, Allison. I am almost done with The Faulkes Chronicle. I can’t believe how easy it was to fall into the flow of the plural first person narration, fun book! I hope you’re having a grand week!

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  4. Sounds like a fun challenge 🙂
    I’ve never read something in plural first person before, I imagine it’d take a bit of getting used to!

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    1. After a couple of pages, the plural first person seemed normal. I think Huddle’s skillful writing had something to do with it. (I finished that book yesterday.) Thanks for stopping by, Louise!

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    1. Thank you, Valinoratroy! I am enjoying it so far. I just finished The Faulkes Chronicles. Using a first person plural narrator was a bold choice, but Huddle pulled it off. Great book! I’m glad you commented.:-)

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  7. Thanks so much for joining in with the readathon and I hope you find it to be good fun as well! The only one of your books I have read myself too is The God of Small Things and I will be especially curious to see what you make of that one. Also, thank you so much for your lovely words about me and my channel ❤ Happy reading!

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  9. Fascinating choices, Priscilla, and a fun idea. I have too many books to review at the moment, but will have to check next year and try to participate. I haven’t read the God of Small Things, but I have read another one of Roy’s novels and loved it, so you’ve reminded me I should add that one to my never-ending list. Looking forward to your reviews as well!

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    1. I went to the library to pick up The God of Small Things and was surprised at how many Roy books were on the shelf. I didn’t realize she was such a prolific writer. Thanks for commenting, Olga.:-)

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    1. The God of Small Things is HARD TO READ. But it fits the “beautiful prose” prompt because Roy’s writing style is lovely. It’s just that the story is so convoluted and hard to follow. I’m glad you stopped by, Jina!

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    1. It was a fun reading challenge, and I learned something from each book. I was especially surprised by how well plural first person can work. I loved The Faulkes Chronicle. Thanks, I am having a nice weekend. I hope you have a safe and happy Labor Day!

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