“Everyday Shakespeare: Lines for Life” by Ben Crystal and David Crystal is a literature lovers dream volume that will be well received and cherished by Bard fans the world over. Designed as a read-a-poem-every day book, this fascinating nonfiction volume offers definitive insight into often vague or less-than easily understandable Elizabethan verses for those of us who adore William Shakespeare, but aren’t particularly well-informed or educated in translation or transliteration of these erudite expressions of poetry and prose from 500 years prior.

I continue to read and reread this wonderful book because it’s so magnificently educational, engaging and entertaining. The quote/verse per day layout is great for memorizing, as well as for a daily reading challenge. Not to offend the authors, but it makes a terrific bathroom reader, too! I’m all for stimulating mindfulness while being otherwise occupied.

TheBookMaven graciously thanks NetGalley, Authors Ben Crystal and David Crystal, and Publisher Nicholas Brealey U.S. / Chambers for this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) for review.

This book can be put to great use and has wonderful explanations.I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Shakespeare.

Thank you @netgallery for allowing me to read this book.

My family ,who are not tremendous Shakespeare fans, have had a great time with this book. Both the children and the adults have been reading it and using the quotes to great effect on the other members of the family and their friends. Not only highly educational but such good fun too ! Starting to love the bard much more now.

Great collection of quotes and explanations for fans of Shakespeare! A nice gift for anyone who wants a bit more bite-sized Shakespeare scattered throughout their life.

I love Shakespeare's works. Like many, I was introduced to them at school, and the language and themes have entranced me to this day. There is always more to uncover in subsequent readings.

So I was happy to stumble upon Everyday Shakespeare by Ben Crystal; David Crystal . This book is a quote-a-day kind of book, with less common lines from across Shakespeare's catalogue of works showcased and explored. Each quote includes an explanation of the text's meanings, particularly of lesser used verbiage, and where necessary, additional lines providing context to the piece. And of course the modern usage of the sayings.

A lovely book to reflect on the works of one of the greatest writers.

~ Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

So, I've almost never read anything but novels and was a bit skeptical starting this.
But these short lines of Shakespeare with explanations are enchanting. Obviously, Shakespeare is kind of like a god of books and his words will be the best. You can rekindle your love for literature here. There needs to be books like this.I read an Ebook but I think the experience will be much better with a physical copy. Go try it out.

My mother is responsible for my love of Shakespeare. For as long as I can remember, she has read him, quoted him, and shared movie renditions of his work with me. Kenneth Branagh's Much Ado About Nothing is a deeply nostalgic movie for me, and I remember campaigning hard in both high school and college for our class to read it instead of The Tempest. (I was successful in my college class!) It felt a bit like kismet when I had the opportunity to review Everyday Shakespeare: Lines for Life by Ben and David Crystal.

Crystal and Crystal's book reads like a unique devotional for the full year; indeed, this quote-a-day book has themes for every month, explanations for specific words no longer in current use, and insight into the specific verse of the day. I very much appreciated the blurb at the bottom of the page explaining the context in which the quote was used, and some of the unique fonts were a fun addition, as well.

This book is a perfect addition for any Shakespearean fan, quote collector, or just a reader looking to expand their mind and knowledge base. I was not aware of how much of the Bard's work I have yet to read, and so, thanks to this book, my To Be Read pile has grown quite a bit. I personally will be looking forward to seeing this book in physical form, and perhaps (shhhhhh, don't tell), gifting it to my mother. I know she would love it.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful book, so easy to read and written in bite-sized chunks so effectively that you get the best bits of Shakespeare without the yawn. A recommended read.

This is a wonderful resource both for those who are familiar with Shakespeare and those new to his work. The format is very clever and makes for a very fun volume to flip through. Certainly helped to deepen my appreciation of Shakespeare’s work and introduce me to some of his works I had never read before.

I liked this. It's basically a quote of the day and would be great in perpetual calendar form.
Including some of Shakespeares well know and lesser-known lines, this a fun book, great for anyone who wants a witty comeback or something to add to small talk.
Each day has a quote and then some information about it which I loved.
I received a copy via NatGalley, all opinions are my own.

loved this. lowkey didnt read the ehole thing but went on days and this was super cute idea. i don't really know what else to say about it but better than reading shakespeare

A charming resource for the middle school language arts classroom! Shakespeare seems so inaccessible to my students (they think) but this book, used as a small warm-up or icebreaker, would bring Shakespeare down to where they could sink their teeth into a little bit of him each day. I particularly loved the short vocab lesson accompanying some of the quotes, for Old English words or phrases that aren't in use any more.

Small constructive comment: the beginning did not whet the appetite, and may put off some readers. Such a long introduction when the whole point of the book is small bites of a big subject.

Thank you NetGalley for introducing me to this book, I hope to have a print copy to keep on my desk at school so I can work my way through the calendar with my students!

Everyday Shakespeare by Ben and David Crystal features a daily quote from the plays and poems of William Shakespeare.
The authors are respected scholars in the fields of linguistics and Shakespeare studies, and their expertise shines through. All the background information is here to make Shakespeare's words accessible to a modern reader.
I particularly like the fact that lesser-known quotations have been chosen so there is something new here for everyone.
The three indexes make it easy to navigate through the book.
This is a book to dip into on a daily basis throughout the year.
Highly recommended and deserving of 5 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this title.. All opinions are my own.

Everyday Shakespeare provides readers with a daily quote of Shakespeare. It is a great way to introduce readers to Shakespeares works in small portions, and is a fun way to include Shakespeare in your daily lives. Highly suggest this book!

To be honest, I read this knowing it’s not for me. Shakespeare has never clicked with me and probably never will. However, I read this to see if it’ll be a good gift for a friend that LOVES Shakespeare and journaling. And it is! I can see them using this sort of as a daily meditation, reflection, or writing prompt. So I’m giving it 5/5 stars because I think it’s going to be great for people who aren’t me.

Everyday Shakespeare is a wonderful collection of quotes to get you through the year. The authors provide a theme for each month and a quote for each day, along with an explanation. It's a really wonderful concept that provides more insight into both the characters from Shakespeare's plays and to language itself. Since Shakespeare has contributed so much to the English language, I found it interesting to see the notes with each quote and reflect on the linguistic considerations.

I highly recommend this book for fans of Shakespeare and linguistics.

This is a fun book! It would likely be a great bookshelf, side table, or coffee table book for anyone who loves theater or literature. Each day of the year has a quote, along with an interesting tidbit about Shakespeare or the text itself. The kindle version did not translate well to my device due to formatting issues, but reading on NetGalley Shelf gave the full experience and was more enjoyable as they clearly put great thought into the layout!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

This is a delightful book filled with some known and lesser well-known quotations from Shakespeare. The application or relevance of each are explained well both in context and generally. They are all beautiful expressions and a great way to engage with Shakespeare's wonderful lyricism every day!

Everyday Shakespeare, written by Ben Crystal and David Crystal, is an absolute treasure that joyously celebrates the essence of Shakespeare. As an ardent Shakespeare enthusiast, this book resonated deeply with me, igniting my nerdy heart and leaving me with no choice but to bestow upon it a well-deserved five-star rating.

Shakespeare, my most cherished passion in the world, finds its rightful place within the pages of Everyday Shakespeare. From its opening lines, the book envelops readers in an immersive journey through the Bard's profound works, delivering an enchanting exploration that is both accessible and captivating.

What makes this book truly special is its ability to connect the timeless beauty of Shakespeare's words to our everyday lives. It reminds us that the Bard's genius transcends time and place, permeating our existence in ways we may not always realize. Through anecdotes, insights, and enlightening explanations, Ben and David Crystal breathe new life into the Bard's works, infusing them with relevance and relevance and relatability for modern readers.

Everyday Shakespeare speaks directly to the nerdy heart that beats within Shakespeare aficionados like myself. It embraces our unabashed adoration for the playwright, celebrating our unending fascination with his intricate characters, poetic language, and profound themes. The book serves as a delightful refuge, allowing us to revel in our shared enthusiasm and deepening our appreciation for Shakespeare's enduring impact.

Ben and David Crystal's love for Shakespeare radiates from the pages, creating an infectious enthusiasm that is hard to resist. Their deep knowledge and expertise shine through in every word, making the exploration of the Bard's works an engaging and enlightening experience. With their guidance, the book becomes a cherished companion, guiding readers through the vast landscape of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets with ease and enthusiasm.

Everyday Shakespeare is a resounding triumph for those whose hearts beat in iambic pentameter. It embraces our nerdy passions, reminding us that our love for Shakespeare is not merely an eccentricity but a testament to the Bard's everlasting brilliance. This book's ability to make our nerdy hearts sing and its unwavering dedication to celebrating Shakespeare's legacy make it an unequivocal five-star gem that every Shakespeare enthusiast should embrace with open arms. Prepare to be delighted, enlightened, and wholeheartedly swept away in the magic of Everyday Shakespeare.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me this book for an honest review!

Everyday Shakespeare: Lines For Life is the quintessential introduction to William Shakespeare; in bite-size chunks, it entertainingly and effortlessly brings to life his many plays throughout the pages using some of his most relatable and inspirational quotes. The authors are themselves experts on Shakespeare's canon, so you feel as though you are in good hands from the offset.

The quotes that have been chosen are not the ones you tend to hear when you think of Shakespeare, which was what drew me to the book initially, and each one they use is highlighted and set in context - explaining the play/poem it originates from, what the sentiment behind it is and how it can be used to provide meaning to your day to day life.

Although we are issued with a quote per day to allow anyone, even those who find Shakespeare daunting, to learn this in their own time and comfortably, it's perfectly acceptable to read it however you would like to. Each soundbite then gives us the ideal springboard with which to further explore his poetry and plays. A perfect introduction for a youngster or adult or as a refresher and its delightful presentation makes it a thoughtful gift too.