I had told my wife and kids that this September was going to be the month where I’d read all of Shakespeare’s Tragedies, Comedies, Histories, and Romances, starting with “The Tempest” which I’ve read a few times before. It started out slow, as I reacquainted myself with the “thous,” “wonders” and “wherefores,” but after a few pages I was back in the swing of things.

An Unexpected Detour

Instead of moving to “Hamlet” as planned, my wife suggested I read “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell. She didn’t like it much, but I gave it 5 stars. The novel’s exploration of Shakespeare’s family life and the death of his son Hamnet was deeply moving.

Comedy and Whimsy

A library book became available, so I read “The Enchanted April” by Elizabeth von Arnim. I found myself laughing at the small, silly confusions that reminded me of a Shakespearean comedy. The story of four women escaping to an Italian castle for a month was charming and delightful.

Science Fiction and Satire

Craving science fiction, I turned to “A Canticle for Leibowitz” by Walter M. Miller Jr. This post-apocalyptic novel made me laugh despite its grim underlying story. The dark humor and exploration of how civilization might rebuild after nuclear war was both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Other Adventures

I also read a manga adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft stories, which brought a fresh visual perspective to cosmic horror classics.

The month ended with “How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future” by Maria Ressa. Her account of fighting for press freedom in the Philippines was sobering, and I couldn’t help but note the similarities between events there and current global political situations.

Books Read in September

  • “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare
  • “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell
  • “The Enchanted April” by Elizabeth von Arnim
  • “A Canticle for Leibowitz” by Walter M. Miller Jr.
  • H.P. Lovecraft manga adaptation
  • “How to Stand Up to a Dictator” by Maria Ressa

September may not have been the month of Shakespeare I originally planned, but it was rich with literary adventures across genres, time periods, and styles. Sometimes the best reading plans are the ones we allow to evolve organically.

Photo by Iñaki del Olmo on Unsplash