The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake

“The Last True Poets of the Sea” is an epic and unforgettable contemporary novel that is a retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The novels follows Violet and her brother Sam as they navigate a family history intertwined with a lost shipwreck. Violet, struggling with partying and Sam’s suicide attempt, is determined to find the shipwreck and make amends. Along the way, she meets Liv, a fellow wreck hunter, and together they embark on a journey of survival and self-discovery. This debut novel is a captivating tale of strength and resilience.

You can get a copy of The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake on Amazon or Bookshop.

Listen to this quick chat with Julia on the podcast: TBT with The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake

Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese

Jamie and Bea, who couldn’t be more different, team up to deceive their matchmaking friends in this charming retelling of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” Their plan? Pretend to be madly in love, only to break hearts and end the meddling once and for all. But as their fake romance becomes more convincing, they start questioning if there’s more to their connection than revenge. Will Cupid’s arrow prove to be right after all?

You can get a copy of Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese on Amazon or Bookshop.

Shakespeare for Squirrels by Christopher Moore

Shakespeare meets Dashiell Hammett in this wildly entertaining murder mystery from New York Times bestselling author Christopher Moore—an uproarious, hardboiled take on the Bard’s most performed play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, featuring Pocket, the hero of Fool and The Serpent of Venice, along with his sidekick, Drool, and pet monkey, Jeff.

You can get a copy of Shakespeare for Squirrels by Christopher Moore on Amazon or Bookshop.

Ben and Beatriz by Katalina Gamarra

A Latinx, queer retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing in which a queer, biracial young woman must untangle her complicated relationship with the scion of a wealthy, white dynasty, in what becomes a complex and nuanced rumination on race, colorism, class, sexuality, and privilege.

You can get a copy of Ben and Beatriz by Katalina Gamarra on Amazon or Bookshop.

Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma

In the hilarious follow-up to the breakout rom-com Dating Dr. Dil, Nisha Sharma adds shakkar and mirch to Shakespeare’s iconic comedy Much Ado About Nothing for one sweet and spicy love story.

You can get a copy of Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma on Amazon or Bookshop.

Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong

An adult epic fantasy debut, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.

You can get a copy of Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong on Amazon or Bookshop.

Queen Hereafter by Isabelle Schuler

A suspenseful, sweeping historical epic for readers of Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller, which boldly reimagines the origin story of the woman who inspired one of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters, Lady Macbeth.

You can get a copy of Queen Hereafter by Isabelle Schuler on Amazon or Bookshop.