Sports books are an enjoyable way to learn more about the game you love, whether it’s baseball, football, soccer, or basketball. Even if you think you know everything there is to know about your favorite sport, sports books offer up deeper insights and often have behind-the-scenes tales and secrets that will fascinate sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike. If you’re looking for new sports books to add to your reading list, consider checking out these seven popular titles.
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The Natural by Bernard Malamud
In my opinion, The Natural is a must-read for anyone who loves sports. The book follows Roy Hobbs, a prospect with an awesome bat and lots of potential. Though he seems destined for greatness, he encounters multiple setbacks in his journey—most notably when he’s shot in his shoulder by a woman named Iris, whom he’d just met. Even though it’s set in baseball, which might not be your favorite sport, I encourage you to read it anyway.
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
In 1936, a group of hardworking, underprivileged University of Washington students set out to become national champions by competing in their sport of rowing. Despite having never competed against collegiate athletes before, they train and head off to compete with teams who’ve been training all year—and they win it all. This is an excellent book on perseverance and teamwork.
The Perfect Pass by Mark Frost
The Perfect Pass is Mark Frost’s delightful coming-of-age novel about a football fan’s attempt to win his fantasy league. A comedy of errors ensues as he discovers that his players aren’t quite what they seem, and he learns more about life than just who wins games. This is a great book for any football fan or anyone looking for some light reading over the weekend. It’s funny, well-written, and full of sports references!
Undefeated by Mitch Albom
Mitch Albom’s favorite subject is life’s second acts. Now he tells its greatest story in his most inspiring book. Sixty-year-old Dan McCormick has run track at his New Jersey high school for twenty years, but with each season, his chances of winning a state championship have grown slimmer and slimmer.
The Breaks of the Game by David Halberstam
A biography of Bill Russell and his first seven years in professional basketball. An extraordinary book that’s as much about American politics and race relations in Boston during that time as it is about sport. I haven’t read anything else by Halberstam, but I assume he’s a bit like McCullough (who also wrote about sports, baseball specifically). One of my favorite books ever; you could probably enjoy even if you have zero interest in basketball.
Play Their Hearts Out by George Dohrmann
George Dohrmann played professional sports for a decade, yet few people know his name. This may be because he led a very quiet life outside of sports, or it may be because he decided to write Play Their Hearts Out, an award-winning book detailing his experiences with college athletes trying to get drafted into professional sports leagues. It’s an exciting read if you like reading about real stories of triumph and loss.
Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger
Bissinger gives a first-person account of what it’s like to coach high school football in Texas. As both a journalist and former high school football player, Bissinger knows what makes both of these worlds tick. But he brings more than just expertise; his book is also a great read because he pays special attention to detail and has an incredible talent for crafting dialogue. The result: one of sports books’ best fictional stories.
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