I like 116 (Let me not to the marriage of true minds) but 130 (My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun) is a touch humourous and still sweet.

And there’s always the perennial favourite 19 (Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?)

Shakespeare’s sonnets are pure gems. And there are plenty to choose from. He has over a hundred, which may be a little overwhelming …

130, 116, and 19 are all excellent, classic choices.

29 is the first one I ever memorized:

When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featur’d like him, like him with friends possess’d,
Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
For thy sweet love remember’d such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

It’s such a beautiful message of hope and the value of perspective.

And here’s a suggestion if you think you’re short on time for memorization: use a dry-erase marker (the kind used on white boards) and write the sonnet on your bathroom mirror. It’ll come off easily enough when you’re ready to wipe it away. But that way you’ll be guaranteed to see it every morning and evening. Eventually it’ll just soak in.

Good luck!