“Midsummer day simply refers to the period of time centered upon the summer solstice, but more often refers to specific European celebrations that accompany the actual solstice, or that take place on a day between June 21 and June 24, and the preceding evening. The exact dates vary between different cultures. Midsummer is especially important in the cultures of Scandinavia and Latvia where it is the most celebrated holiday apart from Christmas.” ~Wikipedia, Midsummer
This weekend some people, mainly in Europe (and possibly Colorado and California), will be celebrating Midsummer or the summer solstice with pagan ceremonies, bonfires, intoxicating beverages, and fertility rites (according to my reading, no personal experience). I prefer to celebrate with . . .
So the theme for this edition of Book Tag is: Shakespeare. Share your favorite play by Shakespeare or your favorite Shakespeare-inspired novel or nonfiction book. This time only, we’ll even allow movies.
The Rules: “In this game, readers suggest a good book in the category given, then let somebody else be ‘it’ before they offer another suggestion. There is no limit to the number of books a person may suggest, but they need to politely wait their turn with only one book suggestion per comment.â€
My favorite play is Much Ado About Nothing, and I love the movie with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson.
You can suggest anything Shakespeare-related for this round of Book Tag.
I love the movie you mentioned, too.
However, the the first thing that popped into my mind was the late 1960’s movie version of Romeo and Juliet.
I was a teenager and it was SO romantic!
We have a small group (including my kids) that have been reading through Shakespeare all year. Much Ado About Nothing was a big hit. We are currently reading through As You Like It and enjoying it.
Oh, Franco Zefferelli’s Romeo and Juliet. I was a teen then, too.
I’m suggesting The Shakepeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood to go along with the theme for today. It’s a YA historial novel set in Elizabethan London. Someone’s trying to steal the not-yet-published script for Shakespeare’s new play, Hamlet.
Well, Shakespeare Stealer was my pick, too, do I’ll try to think of another. I hate to admit that I don’t have a favorite play because it has been to long since I’ve seen or read any of them. My favorite sonnet of his is “Let me not to the true mind of marriage admit impediments. . ” (I can’t remember the number.)
I’m pretty sure I jumbled that first line if the sonnet up (as well as made a few typos), but I was dealing with my toddler simultaneously, so please excuse!
Since you are allowing movies, I thought Akira Kurasawa’s Ran, which transports Shakespeare’s King Lear to medieval Japan, was one of the best films I’ve ever seen.
Ha, I went to a bonfire tonight.