30 Day Book Challenge, Day 13: Who is your favorite author?

I was really struggling to answer this question, so I asked my husband for help. "David, who is my favorite author?"


He didn't hesitate one second before replying, "Shakespeare."

"He's a playwright! Does that count?" I mused, aloud.

"He AUTHORED plays. I think it counts."

Hmmmmm. I wasn't so sure. So I decided to ask my son. "Graham, who is my favorite author?" Again, the response came in a blink of an eye: "Shakespeare!"

"He's a playwright! And a poet! But not a novelist! Do you think he counts?"

"He's an author. Of course it counts."

So, there you have it. According to those who know me best, Shakespeare is my favorite author. I do love the Elizabethan bard! He can turn a phrase better than anyone, he can be funny and silly or pithy and deep. The characters he creates are strangely real and relate-able. But as much as I do LOVE Shakespeare, I prefer to watch his plays than to read them. I have read them, every one. I studied the complete works of Shakespeare in college. And in studying them I gained a deep appreciation for his linguistic brilliance. But his plays were written to be preformed. If you want an taste of his genius, I highly recommend the 1993 Kenneth Branagh production of Much Ado About Nothing!

Apparently my favorite author is playwright.

30 Day Book Challenge, Day 14: What is you favorite book by your favorite author?

Well, since I just established that my favorite author is a playwright who did not write any books this proves to be a rather challenging question! May I take the liberty of slightly modifying the question to read, "What is you favorite 'work' by your favorite author?"

My favorite Shakespeare play is "The Taming of the Shrew." it is the story of two sisters whose father wants to marry them off. The younger daughter, Bianca, is sweet and lovable and has countless suitors, but her father refuses to let her marry until someone agrees to wed the older daughter, Kate. Kate, however, is the complete opposite of Bianca--she is mean, quick-tempered, and prone to violence.

A classic Shakespeare comedy, The Taming of the Shrew is witty and full of twists and turns. Sadly, there is not a great film production available. I have seen this play live several times, and I have never been disappointed!