William Shakespeare Reading Order
7 series · 107 books
William Shakespeare stands as the most influential dramatist in English literature, crafting timeless plays that continue to captivate audiences worldwide. His works span comedy, tragedy, and history, exploring the full spectrum of human experience through richly developed characters and poetic language. Modern editions and collections of his complete works remain essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the foundations of English drama and literature.
Anthologies Series
Complete5 books (1992–2018)
Start with On Suicide: Great Writers on the Ultimate Question, the first of 5 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with On Suicide: Great Writers on the Ultimate Question
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Collections Series
Ongoing7 books (1995–2024)
Start with The Prince's Choice, the first of 6 books in the Collections series.
Start this series with The Prince's Choice
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 |
Comedy Plays Series
Complete16 books (1593–1634)
Start with The Tempest, the first of 16 books in the Comedy Plays series.
Start this series with The Tempest
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 | |
| 11 | |
| 12 | |
| 13 | |
| 14 | |
| 15 | |
| 16 |
Everyman's Library Pocket Poets Series
Ongoing28 books (1671–2024)
Start with Herbert: Poems(By: ), the first of 28 books in the Everyman's Library Pocket Poets series.
Start this series with Herbert: Poems(By: )
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 | |
| 11 | |
| 12 | |
| 13 | |
| 14 | |
| 15 | |
| 16 | |
| 17 | |
| 18 | |
| 19 | |
| 20 | |
| 21 | |
| 22 | |
| 23 | |
| 24 | |
| 25 | |
| 26 | |
| 27 | |
| 28 |
History Plays Series
Complete11 books (1590–1598)
Start with Henry IV, Part 2, the first of 11 books in the History Plays series.
Start this series with Henry IV, Part 2
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 | |
| 11 |
Poetry for Young People Series
Complete28 books (1977–2017)
Start with Walt Whitman(By: Walt Whitman), the first of 28 books in the Poetry for Young People series.
Start this series with Walt Whitman(By: Walt Whitman)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 | |
| 11 | |
| 12 | |
| 13 | |
| 14 | |
| 15 | |
| 16 | |
| 17 | |
| 18 | |
| 19 | |
| 20 | |
| 21 | |
| 22 | |
| 23 | |
| 24 | |
| 25 | |
| 26 | |
| 27 | |
| 28 |
Tragedy Plays Series
Complete12 books (1592–1610)
Start with Troilus and Cressida, the first of 12 books in the Tragedy Plays series.
Start this series with Troilus and Cressida
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 | |
| 11 | |
| 12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has William Shakespeare written?
- William Shakespeare has written 107 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 1590 to 2024.
- What is the first book in each William Shakespeare series?
- Here are the first books in William Shakespeare's series: Anthologies: On Suicide: Great Writers on the Ultimate Question; Collections: The Prince's Choice; Comedy Plays: The Tempest; Everyman's Library Pocket Poets: Herbert: Poems(By: ); History Plays: Henry IV, Part 2.
- What order should I read William Shakespeare's books?
- We recommend reading William Shakespeare's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is William Shakespeare still writing new books?
- Yes, William Shakespeare has 2 ongoing series: Collections, Everyman's Library Pocket Poets.