A Book About Sports: Picks for the TPL Reading Challenge 2023
I’m not much of a sports fan, but I will unashamedly jump on the bandwagon if the city’s team is in the finals (2019, anyone?). Although I may not watch any live sports, I do appreciate the stories that are based on it. What was the player feeling during their last game before retirement? How did their life change when they signed that contract? What was the drama like in the locker room? Readers can find inspiration from reading an autobiography, learning about the hardships an athlete faced to get to a specific goal. Or, they can pick up a book to learn more about a particular sport or player and share their thoughts at the next watercooler talk. Below are some recommendations for a book about sports, you’ll find fictional stories to thrill you and non-fiction titles that will have you learning something new!
Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis
Billy Beane was the general manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball team, known at the time to be one of the poorest teams in the league. This book explores how Beane and his assistant, Paul DePodesta, experimented with statistics and used negotiation skills to build a team that beat their richer rivals. Through this experiment in team building, the Oakland Athletics won many consecutive games in the 2002 season. I found this book to be an interesting insight into the story of how an underdog team rose to the top, getting into sports psychology and sharing interesting stories about key players. You can also check out the film adaptation starring Brad Pitt as Billy Beane.
Other Categories:
- A book about a historical event you are unfamiliar with
- A book of investigative non-fiction
—Rathees, Librarian
Recommendations from TPL staff
The Game by Ken Dryden
This is one of the great Canadian books about hockey. 2023 will mark the 40th anniversary of the book. The library has both the 20th-anniversary edition and the 30th-anniversary edition. Ken Dryden is one of the best goalies of all time and shares stories about the Montreal Canadiens during a legendary period in that franchise's history.
— Jo-Ann, Library Assistant
Swimming Studies by Leanne Shapton
I recently discovered Leanne Shapton and am bowled over by her artistic versatility and expansive set of interests - I highly recommend checking out all of her books! Swimming Studies humbly describes her experiences competing at the Olympic level but is mostly a mediation on the tranquil nature of the solitary sport.
— Janine, Library Assistant
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I've been reading (and loving) this book. Tennis star Carrie Soto comes out of retirement to try and defend her Grand Slam record. Taylor Jenkins Reid has a special talent for creating 20th-century historical fiction stories, which are glamorous and escapist but also have strong emotional cores. I don't watch much tennis, but I still found the book's tennis matches very exciting.
— Myrna, Librarian
Playing the Long Game by Christine Sinclair
This is a book of earned wisdom on the value of determination and team spirit, and on leadership that changed the landscape of women's sports. Christine Sinclair is one of the world's most respected and admired athletes. She is simply an inspiration for women in sports. Her tenacity and leadership on the field and off is admirable.
— Jennifer, Public Service Assistant
Boxing Baroness by Minerva Spencer
I was stocking our branch display today when I found this gem. Marianne Simpson works as a boxer in her uncle's all-female travelling circus. Her stage name is "The Boxing Baroness" because she was once "married" to a Baron–briefly, as he was already married to someone else. The other women in the company include sharpshooters, knife throwers, tumblers and jugglers.
Other categories:
- A book with an alliterative title
— Margaret, Librarian
The Utility of Boredom: Baseball Essays by Andrew Forbes
This is a great collection of essays, and for the Blue Jays fans out there, it touches on some of the highlights from the 2015-16 seasons. The essays are thoughtful and well-written; they will remind any fan how much there is to love about the game and they might even persuade the nay-sayers. The book also serves as a great stop-gap measure to pass the time while impatiently waiting for the new season to begin!
— Jennifer, Training Coordinator
King of the World : Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero by David Remnick
This is a really well written book that outlines the formation of the various boxing commissions, the mafia and of course the rise of Ali. It provides a lot of cultural and social context and is well researched.
— Liz, Librarian
Geese are Never Swans by Kobe Bryant
Written by the one and only "Black Mamba", Kobe Bryant. Superstar basketball player who died tragically before his time. The book is based on an entirely different sport, swimming, and the intense drive and ambition athletes have for their game. Also deals with suicide and family relationships.
— Shellene, Public Service Assistant
Butterfly : From Refugee to Olympian, My Story of Rescue, Hope, and Triumph by Yusra Mardini
Butterfly is the story of sisters Sara and Yusra Mardini, professional swimmers from Syria who had to flee their war-torn country. Their lives and other refugees' lives were threatened as they were on a raft trying to get to Greece when the engine died. The sisters spent hours swimming in the freezing water and ultimately saved everyone on the raft. Their story is inspiring!
Other categories:
- A book about survival
— Debra, Librarian
Open : An Autobiography by Andre Agassi
An open and frank biography of Agassi's struggles growing up in the tennis world. He overcomes his resentment to become one of the all-time great male tennis players. This book has enthralled tennis fans and general audiences.
Recommendations from the Facebook Group
These are just some of the suggested titles from our Facebook TPL Reading Challenge 2023 discussion group. You can read all of the responses in the original post. You do not need a Facebook account to read the suggestions.
- Call me Indian: From the Trauma of Residential School to Becoming the NHL’s First Treaty Indigenous Player by Fred Sasakamoose
- The World is a Ball: The Joy, Madness and Meaning of Soccer by John Doyle
- The Last Chairlift by John Irving
- Obie is Man Enough by Schuyler Bailar
- Sum it Up: 1,098 Victories, a Couple of Irrelevant Losses, and a Life in Perspective by Pat Summit
- 99: Stories of the Game by Wayne Gretzky
- Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man’s World by Lauren Fleshman
- Letters to a Young Athlete by Chris Bosh
- Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery
- Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream by Buzz Bissinger
- Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand
- No Days Off: My Life with Diabetes and Journey to the NHL by Max Domi
French Recommendations
If you like to read in French, check out the list of recommended books for “Les Sports” – there’s a mix of books, ebooks, and digital audiobooks to try!
What did you read for "A book about Sports”? Do you have other recommendations? Share in the comments below!
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