Some books grab your attention with a provocative title, and How to Think Like Shakespeare does exactly that. “Hmm,” I thought, “Does this mean I have to read Hamlet… again?” Spoiler alert: you don’t! Lucky for us, Scott L. Newstok uses our favorite bard not as homework but as inspiration for reimagining how we think about education, creativity, and (most importantly) thinking itself. This is one of those books every teacher should add to their shelves, especially if they’re feeling disillusioned by the purpose of modern education.
Education, Shakespeare, and… Us?
Newstok’s central argument is both simple and delightfully complex. At its heart, this book is a love letter to how education used to be and a warning about the pitfalls of how it looks today. Newstok’s rallying cry is for an education system that trains minds to think, adapt, and question rather than one focused on drilling rote skills or data memorization (because, honestly, hasn’t Google taken care of that for us?). And he uses Shakespeare—not just the guy in the frilly collar, but the way he and others like him were taught in the Renaissance—as a framework for developing creative and critical thought.
The “how” of this book is where it shines. Newstok doesn’t just spout witty one-liners from King Lear and call it a day. He breaks down 13 fantastic habits of thinking that anyone can practice, and he keeps it relatable, even to those who haven’t read a sonnet since middle school. There’s “Craft” (learn to work with raw materials—even awkward drafts and failed efforts), “Imitation” (embrace copying until you find your own voice), and “Freedom” (no, not “Netflix all night” freedom, but the kind that comes from mastering a discipline so you can play within it confidently).
It’s not just Shakespeare here, either. Newstok weaves in thoughts from Aristotle, Susan Sontag, and even Albert Einstein, making the intellectual version of an all-you-can-eat buffet (spoiler alert, it’s delicious). If you’re even a little bit nerdy or have a bookshelf filled with books every teacher adores, you’ll find yourself joyfully scribbling notes while reading.
Education Isn’t Google Search Results
One of Newstok’s boldest points is his critique of how modern education hyper-focuses on efficiency, test scores, and training students for jobs. He argues this has created what he calls “highly skilled barbarians” (ouch, but also…true?). Shakespeare’s education didn’t hand him a checklist for “How to Become the Greatest Playwright of All Time in 5 Easy Steps.” Instead, it armed him with a treasure chest of habits and practices like examining self-expression and exploring perspective through rigorous writing drills.
I couldn’t help but laugh (and cry a little) at his chapter on “Attention.” Newstok spotlights how fragmented our focus is today, with our phones buzzing every five seconds and TikToks pulling us into rabbit holes. But when you think about it, isn’t it the epic focused attention of crafting plays like Macbeth that made Shakespeare timeless? Where’s the app for that?
Why Books Every Teacher Need This One
This might sound heavy, but How to Think Like Shakespeare is far from dry. Newstok delivers his insights with short, punchy chapters, peppered with humor and quotes so great you’ll want to tattoo them on your forearm (looking at you, “Machines can memorize facts, but only humans can think“). It’s clear from every page that the guy deeply loves learning and wants you to love it, too.
Bonus points for the “Kinsmen of the Shelf” section at the end, which is essentially a reading list for anyone who wants to go deeper into grappling with the ideas presented. It’s an education geek’s dream come true!
If you’re looking for books every teacher and lifelong learner should own, this one hits all the marks. Newstok manages to pack serious philosophy about education, creativity, and humanity into a quick read without losing his humor or depth. Even if you’ve forgotten half the lines from Romeo and Juliet (or never knew them to begin with), this book will leave you inspired to sharpen your thinking and maybe even do some writing of your own.
Verdict? Five stars. And possibly an espresso habit because you’ll want to stay up all night reflecting on it.
