Professional athletes are now embracing the trend of book clubs within their teams, a departure from the traditional image of sports culture. Notable figures like Dua Lipa, Morgann Book, Reese Witherspoon, and Oprah Winfrey have been known to participate in book clubs. However, the latest wave of book club enthusiasm is seen among athletes themselves.
In the NBA, San Antonio Spurs players Victor Wembanyama and Harrison Barnes are leading a book club initiative, aiming to engage more teammates in literary discussions. Similarly, the NHL’s San Jose Sharks have a secretive book club involving players like Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, Tyler Toffoli, and Ty Dellandrea, where the book choices remain a mystery.
Athletes from the PWHL and the WNBA, including teams like the Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, Toronto Tempo, and New York Liberty, have also embraced book clubs as a means of bonding. Claire Dalton, a forward for the Toronto Sceptres, shared how the book club originated from her previous experience with the Montreal Victoire and was seamlessly integrated into the team’s routine in Toronto.
The Sceptres’ book club, organized by Dalton and goalie Raygan Kirk, regularly convenes over coffee during the season to discuss a variety of books. Their reading list has featured titles such as “Gone Before Goodbye” by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben, “The Heir Apparent” by Rebecca Armitage, and “Palm Villa” by Ashley Hartley, fostering a sense of camaraderie among the players.
The Toronto Tempo, a fresh addition to the WNBA, also adopted a book club inspired by one of their teammates, Kia Nurse. The club’s inaugural read, “It Should Have Been You” by Andrea Mara, was discussed during a team travel, highlighting the team’s commitment to building off-court chemistry through shared literary experiences.
For Nurse and her teammates, reading serves as an escape from the pressures of athletics, allowing them to explore different perspectives and identities beyond their sports persona. The impact of these team book clubs extends beyond the locker room, resonating with fans and the community, as demonstrated by collaborations with organizations like The Children’s Book Bank to promote literacy and reading among children.
Through these initiatives, athletes are not only broadening their intellectual horizons but also setting positive examples as reading advocates, breaking stereotypes and inspiring young readers to embrace the joy of books.
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