This week, I turn to the 16th century man who forever changed the way stories were told.

I couldn’t wait to get to Shakespeare because it gives me a chance to recommend a novel I want everyone to read, it's that good.

But because I’m pairing books about a historical person, place or thing, I have a terrific nonfiction book to share too. 

James Shapiro’s "A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare: 1599," zeroes in on a year of fiery, relentless, extraordinary creativity.

Shakespeare not only wrote "Hamlet" that year, but he wrote "As You Like It," "Henry V" and "Julius Caesar."

Shapiro argues that Shakespeare was deeply influenced by the politics of the day: Queen Elizabeth’s monarchy was being threatened by Irish pretenders to the throne and discontented Catholics.

The queen was also worried about whispers of another Spanish Armada and a British realm. All of it seeped into Shakespeare’s thinking and writing. 

My second perspective on Shakespeare is Maggie O’Farrell’s “Hamnet.”  

O’Farrell gives us a view into Shakespeare’s youth, his development as a sharp observer of human nature, his tumble into love with Anne Hathaway and the tragedy of the loss of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet, to the plague.

O’Farrell’s tone and language are perfect for the time about which she’s writing. This fictional glimpse into the young family life that Shakespeare lived is fascinating for those of us who have continued to study the playwright long after college.

— Kerri Miller | MPR News