Playing sports — almost as fun as reading about them.
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The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
If you’ve seen the movie, you know that this is the story of Michael Oher's rise from homeless teen to first-round NFL draft pick, with a focus on the family that helped him. Lewis also intersperses insightful analysis of the changing nature of the game, noting the importance of the left tackle in doing the crucial work of protecting the quarterback’s blind side. The book is not nearly as much of a tearjerker as the movie is, but that makes it a tiny bit better.
Best enjoyed with: The Gatorade that rolls off the face of your teammate after the clock runs out, and you find yourself in a clutch of sweaty, happy teammates because YOU'RE GOING TO STATE.
Little Girls in Pretty Boxes by Joan Ryan
Perhaps the definitive examination of the machine that produces tiny girls who achieve remarkable feats of athleticism both on the ice and on a balance beam, the San Francisco Chronicle sports writer looks at the inner workings of what it takes to make a champion in the physically trying and emotionally crippling worlds of gymnastics and figure skating. Drawing upon interviews with sports psychologists and hundreds of former gymnasts and figure skaters, Ryan paints a picture of a training practice that robs children of their childhood, and stunts development, both physically and mentally. If you find yourself in wonder every year at the 16-year-old on your television set performing feats of mental and physical wonder, then this is a must-read.
Best enjoyed with: a contraband strawberry Nesquik, over in the corner by the locker room, sipped through a straw.
Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women in Basketball by Pamela Grundy & Susan Shackleford
If you’ve ever bemoaned the lack of a definitive, thoughtful and thorough analysis of the history of women’s basketball, look no further than this. A well-researched and understanding work, this book highlights both trailblazers and contemporary figures in the sport while tackling larger issues like the impact of homophobia and the resultant tensions between the traditional roles of women versus the demands of the sport. A must-read for any fan of basketball.
Best enjoyed with: Powerade, because Gatorade is for wusses.
