Athletes Joining the Trend of Book Clubs
The popularity of book clubs is on the rise, with not only celebrities like Dua Lipa, Morgann Book, Reese Witherspoon, and Oprah hosting them but also professional athletes getting in on the trend. NBA players Victor Wembanyama and Harrison Barnes from the San Antonio Spurs are leading a book club initiative to encourage more team members to participate, as seen in a video on the league’s YouTube channel.
Similarly, the NHL’s San Jose Sharks have their own book club, with players like Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, Tyler Toffoli, and Ty Dellandrea. The club has become somewhat of a running joke as the players keep their reading selections under wraps.
Athletes from the PWHL and the WNBA, including teams like the Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, Toronto Tempo, and New York Liberty, use book clubs as a way to bond. Forward Claire Dalton of the Toronto Sceptres shared that the team’s book club was a natural progression from her time with the Montreal Victoire. Dalton and goalie Raygan Kirk initiated the book club to discuss books like “Gone Before Goodbye” and “The Heir Apparent.”
The Toronto Tempo’s book club, inspired by teammate Nyara Sabally, offers a similar bonding experience for the new WNBA team. Guard Kia Nurse emphasized the importance of building off-court chemistry through shared activities like book discussions. The team’s first book, “It Should Have Been You” by Andrea Mara, was discussed during a plane journey.
For athletes like Nurse, reading serves as a vital escape from the pressures of sports, allowing them to explore different worlds and characters. The impact of these book clubs is significant, as seen in the strong fan interest and community engagement sparked by the Toronto Sceptres’ book club. The team collaborated with The Children’s Book Bank for a community event promoting reading and literacy among children, showcasing athletes as diverse reading role models.