You, um, may have noticed that the Olympics are going on right now, so that’s the genesis of this week’s question, in two parts:
First:
Do you or have you ever read books about the Olympics? About sports in general?
- Fictional ones? Or non-fiction? Or both?
And, Second:
Do you consider yourself a sports fan?
- Because, of course, if you’re a rabid fan and read about sports constantly, there’s a logic there; if you hate sports and never read anything sports-related, that, too … but you don’t have to love sports to enjoy a good sports story.
- (Or a good sports movie, for that matter. Feel free to expand this into a discussion about “Friday Night Lights” or “The Natural” or whatever…)
Okay, longest. question. ever.
However, I have a fairly short answer. I don’t believe that I have ever in my life read a sports book, including one about the Olympics. I have no interest in reading about sports. There is, however, a book about the Olympics out right now that I would love to read: “Rome 1960: The Olympics that Changed the World” by David Maraniss. This, however, isn’t a book just about the Olympics, it is about the effect the Olympics had on the United States and the world.
I am really not a sports fan at all. I don’t generally even watch the Olympics, although I am somewhat interested in hearing who won what. I am somewhat of a basketball fan, but I sort of lose that when there’s not anyone else that really wants to watch it with me. I also just don’t have the time and inclination to sit and watch a bunch of basketball games when I could be reading. I’m also not a very big fan of sports movies, other than perhaps I Remember the Titans, but I like that more for the social aspects – integration, etc.
Want an exciting read? Check out my Far World: Water Keep contest!
Yes, I’d probably rather be reading, too. But with a husband who’s something of a sports nut, I’ve developed a great ability to read during and in spite of the games on TV.
I’d rather be reading, too! The Olympics do sometimes have an interesting effect from a social standpoint, but for the most part the sports side doesn’t interest me at all.
I don’t generally like sports (though I have a soft spot for the Olympics) but I read and really, really enjoyed Moneyball by Michael Lewis. It actually made baseball seem interesting! (though not interesting enough for me to watch it on TV.)
My husband is usually in one room with the TV tuned to sports, while I’m in another room, otherwise occupied.
We did manage to get together to watch and enjoy I Remember the Titans.
I completely agree with you. Remember the Titans is one of my favorite sports movies (that I included in my BTT post, too) as well as Miracle. And all those movies have a lot of human drama and personal sacrifice in them, which makes the best stories – sports or not.
Oh yes, you have to love Remember the Titans. Glad to see we have that in common. Just thought I’d pop over to let you know I’ve moved to a new blog because of some trademark issues with the name Readerville. Hope you’ll visit soon.
The only book I can ever remember reading about sports had something to do about baseball, but that was eons ago. I don’t typically like to read about them, but I do like watching them on occasion. If I lived in Michigan, I’d probably watch or listen to the Tiger games and I’m enjoying the Olympics. I just can’t see reading about it…
I’m not a big sports fan, but a really good sports book that covers collegiate sports, race, adoption, and education in the context of a compelling story is Michael Lewis’ “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.” It is also quite well-written.