Shakespeare Wrote for Money

Shakespeare Wrote for Money compiles Nick Hornby's book review columns from The Believer magazine, covering his reading experiences from 2006 to 2008. The collection features Hornby's monthly lists of books bought and books read, followed by his reflections on his selections. The essays range across multiple genres including fiction, biography, sports writing, and literary criticism. Through his reviews, Hornby examines both contemporary releases and classic works, sharing personal reactions alongside broader cultural observations. The book is the third and final volume in a series collecting Hornby's "Stuff I've Been Reading" columns, following The Polysyllabic Spree and Housekeeping vs. The Dirt. The collection includes an introduction by author Sarah Vowell. This collection captures the diverse pleasures and occasional frustrations of being a devoted reader, exploring how books intersect with daily life and how reading habits evolve over time.

Readers find this collection of Hornby's "Stuff I've Been Reading" columns from The Believer magazine entertaining but less substantial than his previous compilations. The casual, conversational tone and Hornby's self-deprecating humor about his reading habits connect with fans. Liked: - Honest discussions about abandoning books - Recommendations spanning multiple genres - Commentary on both popular and literary works - Personal anecdotes about reading with his children Disliked: - Shorter length compared to previous collections - Less depth in book analyses - Some repetitive observations - Focus on too many obscure titles Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,247 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) "Like having a book chat with a well-read friend," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another reader comments: "The columns feel rushed compared to his earlier collections." Several reviewers mention disappointment that this was the final installment of Hornby's Believer columns.

Books to Die For: The World's Greatest Mystery Writers on the World's Greatest Mystery Novels Mystery authors share personal essays about their favorite crime novels, providing a similar blend of reading memoir and literary criticism.

Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman Chronicles the author's lifelong relationship with books through interconnected essays that merge personal experience with literary exploration.

Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose Examines great works of literature from a writer's perspective while sharing insights about the reading process, mirroring Hornby's analytical approach to discussing books.

A History of Reading by Alberto Manguel Combines cultural history with personal reading experiences to explore how humans interact with books across time and cultures.

Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading by Maureen Corrigan NPR's book critic reflects on her life through the lens of her reading choices, offering commentary on literature's role in shaping personal identity.

🔖 The title refers to a quote by novelist and critic Samuel Johnson, who claimed Shakespeare wrote for money, challenging the notion that great art requires suffering. 📚 Nick Hornby's "Books Bought vs. Books Read" format became so popular that many book bloggers and readers adopted this style for their own reading journals. 📖 The Believer magazine, where these columns originally appeared, was founded by Dave Eggers and was known for its unique approach to cultural criticism, avoiding snark and negativity. ✍️ Sarah Vowell, who wrote the introduction, is known for her work on "This American Life" and has authored several bestselling books blending history with personal narrative. 📑 This book represents the final installment in Hornby's trilogy of collected columns from The Believer, completing a series that spans approximately five years of his reading life.