It's common knowledge that reading is good for the mind, but they can be particularly good for athletes. Although it may be tempting to scroll through your phone at the end of a long day of practice and competitions, consider cracking open a book instead. Here are some reasons why (and some sporty book recommendations for athletes).
To Challenge Yourself!
There are plenty of books out there that can challenge you intellectually or offer tips to improve your diet, lifestyle, relationships, and more. Athletes are no strangers to challenges, so what better way to challenge yourself than with a good book? One of my favorite intellectually challenging books is The Eternal Present of Sport by sports scholar Daniel Grano. In it, contributors discuss elements of time and religion that are embedded into modern sports culture in thought-provoking ways. It's an academic book that really makes you think and consider things like politics and doping in sports.
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For Satisfaction
Bedtime stories aren't just for kids. According to The Reading Agency, adults who read for just 30 minutes a week are 20% more likely to report greater life satisfaction. When looking for satisfying reads, I turn to the writings of bell hooks, whose wisdom is always grounding, helpful, and reassuring.
For Inspiration
Books are full of inspiring quotes and stories, whether you're a fan of fiction, autobiographies, history, or another genre entirely. Athletes oftentimes need inspiration to persevere in training and life and books can be a great place to find it. Once a Runner by John L. Parker Jr. is a great inspirational novel about pushing your limits and making your dreams happen.
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To Learn and Understand New and Difficult Topics
Do you feel stuck in training, life, or simply in your head? Reading a good book can be a great way to learn from others and help yourself break out of a rut. Or they can simply help you understand complex issues. What Made Maddie Run by Kate Fagan is a great book to help athletes understand mental health issues and what can be done about them.
They're Affordable and Accessible
You can check out books for free at your on-campus or community library and E-books come at low prices online (plus, they're really compact and perfect for traveling). Used bookstores are another great place to find affordable reads. An E-book that's reasonable right now is Andrea William's historical book, Baseball's Leading Lady, which covers the life of Effa Manley, co-owner and business manager of the now-defunct Newark Eagles baseball team as America approached racial integration in sports and society.
They're Adventures!
It's true that there's a book for everyone out there. Take Moneyball By Michael Lewis, for example. The movie is great but the book knocks it out of the park. Sure, it's a book about baseball statistics, but it's an inspiring story about underdogs, taking risks, and the realities of life, so it reads more like a novel and can appeal to a wide audience of readers. So be open to reading lots of different types of books and see what sparks your interest!
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* Originally published on October 6, 2022, by Katie Lever, Ph. D
