Fiction
A sports story told through this graphic novel
"Dragon Hoops" by Gene Luen Yang, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $21.99
" Dragon Hoops " is a graphic novel based on Gene Luen Yang's time as a computer science teacher in Oakland, watching his school's basketball team strive for the state championships. This is a breathtaking sports story about friendship, culture, history, and, of course, basketball.
A young adult sports novel about a rising soccer star
"Furia" by Yamile Saied Méndez, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $10.07
In Argentina, Camila Hassan lives in her soccer-playing brother's shadow while avoiding her mother's criticism and her father's temper. Secretly, Camila is a soccer star herself, and when her team qualifies for a huge tournament, she struggles to find a way to keep playing without her family finding out and keeping her from her passion.
A steamy sports romance
"Him "by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $13.49
In this steamy sports book, Jamie and Ryan are reunited at a national hockey championship, four years after one night ruined their friendship. " Him " is a queer romance featuring secrets, sexy scenes, and a friends-to-lovers romance.
A sports book about five lives intertwined through baseball
"The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $10.16
In this novel of entangled love and fate, Henry and four others are forced to confront their careers, relationships, and destinies, an upheaval that begins when Henry throws an errant ball, causing him to doubt his own abilities. Over the course of a baseball season, this novel traverses commitment, ambition, and ethics in a story most loved for its authentic five main characters.
An adored middle grade sports novel told in verse
"The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $8.27
" The Crossover " is a beloved young adult sports story told in poems about Josh and Jordan, who are the sons of a former professional basketball player. It is a brilliant and captivating story about surviving school, navigating first crushes, and the importance of family.
A young adult sports novel about identity
"Mexican Whiteboy" by Matt de la Peña, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $9.19
This young adult sports novel about family and identity follows Danny, a half-Mexican and half-white baseball pitcher in San Diego who struggles to feel like he fully belongs in any part of his identity. Through Danny's struggles, this novel offers an honest perspective about the difficulties of navigating self-identity and connection within culture.
A sports book about a promising hockey team in a small town
"Beartown" by Fredrik Backman, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $13.58
From the author of bestselling "A Man Called Ove" comes " Beartown ," a story about a forgotten town's growing hope through a promising junior ice hockey team. While Backman's novels are usually uplifting, this story is a bit darker than his others, as a violent and traumatic event happens during the team's semi-final match, affecting everyone in the town.
Nonfiction
A powerful account of abuse in sports
"The Girls: An All-American Town, a Predatory Doctor, and the Untold Story of the Gymnasts Who Brought Him Down" by Abigail Pesta, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $16.16
This sports read is a true crime account of Larry Nassar, a manipulative and predatory doctor who abused young gymnasts for years. This story is staggering as the author uncovers the shocking details of Nassar's actions, powerful as the gymnasts testify against him, and influential as it teaches readers how to spot abuse and speak up against it.
A sports book about the psychology of endurance
"Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance" by Alex Hutchinson, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $12.79
" Endure " is a sports psychology book about the extremes of human endurance and potential beyond physiological attributes of great athletes. Alex Hutchinson, a distance runner, analyzes the science behind fatigue, distress, and perceived physical limits in order to help readers unearth the mind's deepest potential.
A historical sports read from a samurai
"Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai" by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $9.99
" Hagakure " is a nonfiction read about the philosophy and history of samurai in Japan. With both practical instruction and teachings of core principles, this book comes from Yamamoto Tsunetomo, a samurai in the early 1700s who dictated the importance of samurai lessons to his attendant over seven years.
Memoir
A cherished sports memoir from Kobe Bryant
"The Mamba Mentality: How I Play" by Kobe Bryant, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $18
When Kobe Bryant published his memoir two years before his devastating fatal accident, he wanted to teach young players how to succeed in anything they do — basketball or otherwise — through hard work. Affectionately nicknamed the "Black Mamba" on the court, Kobe's Mamba Mentality is about focusing on the journey towards success rather than the end result.
A sports memoir from a runner full of wisdom
"What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" by Haruki Murakami, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $10.22
Haruki Murakami is a well-known, bestselling novelist who began running to stay in shape — a practice that became essential to his writing process. This introspective memoir is a reflection of his meditations and revelations while training for the New York City Marathon in 2005.
A sports memoir about a journey through advocacy
"One Life" by Megan Rapinoe, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $16.73
Megan Rapinoe, a US soccer gold-medalist, has used her platform to become a social justice advocate. In her memoir, Megan details her fight against gender discrimination and racial injustices both in her personal life and throughout her soccer career while encouraging readers to become champions of social change as well.
A sports memoir from the greatest relief pitcher of all time
"The Closer" by Mariano Rivera, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $15.98
Mariano Rivera is known as the greatest relief pitcher of all time yet, when he was first scouted by the Yankees, he didn't even own his own baseball glove. Rivera's memoir is about falling in love with baseball, the impact of teammates and mentors, and the ambition and passion it takes to become a champion.
A brutally honest sports memoir
"Open" by Andre Agassi, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $9.71
Andre Agassi is a former world champion tennis player whose sports memoir is gripping for all readers regardless of tennis knowledge. In this fiercely honest account of his training, his rise to the number one spot in the world, and his devastating losses, Agassi traverses his most affecting moments in his career with humanity and objectivity.
A sports memoir that offers wise life lessons
"26 Marathons: What I've Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life From Each Marathon I've Run" by Meb Keflezihji, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $11.46
In this memoir, Meb Keflezihji intertwines practical running advice with life lessons he gleaned from each marathon he ran. Whether or not you're a runner, this memoir is filled with wisdom and training philosophies from 26 marathons worth of successes and failures.
An equally heartbreaking and inspirational sports memoir
"Running for My Life: One Lost Boy's Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games" by Lopez Lomong, available on Amazon and Bookshop from $10.99
Lopez Lomong was one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan, abducted at six years old by rebel soldiers who escaped by running for three days straight. Lopez's memoir begins with heartbreak, but is a story of courage and hope as he became a Nike-sponsored athlete on the US Olympic Track team.
Via PakApNews