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My library doesn't own this book and our ILL is seriously shoddy, so I read this while I was at my mom's over the holiday. (Her library has two copies!) I finished really early in January, but I didn't think I'd get to read this at all if I didn't read it then.Title: Beartown
Author: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? If it's the right book. I liked that Beartown was about more than the team and the games. I liked that it was about the community too. I would read another book like that.
Would you recommend? Yes! I dreaded this prompt when I saw it on the challenge, but Beartown was a very pleasant surprise.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Not normally, but I did get the second book in the Beartown trilogy immediately after finishing the first one, so...
Would you recommend? Yes! It's a good read and you don't need to know anything about Hockey to follow. It's more about how people tend to behave in groups, using a hockey team as an example.
I've been trying to pick books that I own but have never read to fill my prompts, which has been an interesting experience! I only had two books involving sports (that I know of) and DNF'd the first one (Keeper). Apparently sports books aren't really my thing :)Title: Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board
Author: Bethany Hamilton
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? I don't think I'll go out of my way to read a book about sports again. I did like Soul Surfer, but surfing wasn't the thing that I really enjoyed about it. Although reading about Bethany's experiences surfing was cool, the shark attack and what happened afterwards was definitely what made the book enjoyable for me.
Would you recommend? I would definitely recommend it, but I don't think that I would recommend it as a sports book specifically.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Yes. I enjoy watching sports and have read some good nonfiction books about teams that I regularly follow, as well as sports that I didn't know much about before I read the book. I also have enjoyed fiction books that wove sports into the plot.
Would you recommend? Yes! You don't have to be a hockey fan to enjoy this one.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Maybe. It would really just depend on the book.
Would you recommend? Yes. I rated it 4/5.
Title: SwaggerAuthor: Carl Deuker
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? I'm not a sports person, so it depends if I'm interested in the book or not
Would you recommend? If you like basketball, sure. Just a warning that it also has mature content.
Title: You Will Know MeAuthor: Megan Abbott
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? This book is about gymnastics, which I have always loved. I usually read non-fiction about elite athletes in gymnastics and figure skating. This might be the first fiction piece I've read about gymnastics, and I liked it. Of course the intense gym community inhabited by the main character's family is just the backdrop for the real story. I do think that the all-consuming nature of elite gymnastics was a good choice by the author. Would I read just anything about sports or gymnastics again? Probably not. But would I read a story like this again? Yes.
Would you recommend? Definitely. The author's ability to make you feel like you are in this world with the characters, and her ability to make a sense of dread palpable throughout the story, is incredible.
Mod
Author: Harlan Coben
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Only to read more in this particular series!
Would you recommend? Yes!
This is a mystery series featuring Myron Bolitar, a sports agent, who is also a former FBI agent. Each book features a mystery to be solved, often a murder, usually involving one of Bolitar's clients.
I've never been a fan of organized sports, but I've always liked mystery novels. I grew up in NJ, and I first discovered Harlan Coben when there was a Challenge category to read a book set in your hometown - I didn't end up reading his books for that, but I did try one and liked it, but I still stayed away from his Myron Bolitar series, because ... ewww sports agent?! I don't remember why, but I tried listening to book #1 in the series last year, and it was so funny I immediately queued up book #2!!! (And that was a mistake because I'm that kind of reader that doesn't like to keep reading the same thing, I can't binge a series.) That was a year ago, which means that book #3 made me laugh all over again. Jonathan Marosz does a fantastic job w/ the Myron Bolitar audiobooks.
Book #2 didn't feature a lot of SPORTS so I worried that I would feel like I was cheating reading this for this category, but book #3 (Fade Away) included plenty of basketball game scenes, since Bolitar is temporarily signed to play for the NJ NBA team (called "The Dragons" in this book, an obvious stand-in for The Nets.)
Title:BeartownAuthor:Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? I would read about sports again. I have always enjoyed fiction set around sports, as well sports non-fiction and memoirs. I very rarely watch sports though, I just like reading about it.
Would you recommend? I highly recommend Beartown. It's about so much more than hockey.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not?: Honestly, probably not if it was the main focus of the book, but if it was part of a bigger story like this book, then I might.
Would you recommend? Yes, but be prepared for a very slow start.
Title: The Taliban Cricket ClubAuthor: Timeri N. Murari
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not?: No it's not a topic I would seek out but I don't object to stories like this where the sports element is part of a bigger story. Saying that I hate the cliche messages that come with sports (believe in yourself, you can achieve etc) and there was a lot of that in this book
Would you recommend? If you want to read a lighter story set under the Taliban regime (if there could be such a thing) you might enjoy this book. But honestly I found it a bit contrived and there are much better books with this setting such as The Kite Runner or The Breadwinner
Title: TumblingAuthor: Caela Carter
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? If sports are the main theme probable not. Romances where one of the characters is an athlete yeah. (this book is not a romance) I'm not really interested in sports, Playing them, Watching them or Reading about them.
Would you recommend? Yeah
So I read this for a challenge on a different group. Olympic Athletes & the Olympian Spirit was the monthly challenge. This book is about 5 teenage girls who are at the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials. Will they make the team, do they want to. It goes into each girls POV so you can hear what they are thinking. Each girl is different and dealing with different things. THe story also only take place over 2 days.
Title: The CrossoverAuthor: Kwame Alexander
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Sure. I don't seek out sports books, but when the sport is used as an element to bring out bigger themes I don't generally mind. I also love a good nonfiction sports book along the lines of The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics or Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream. But even in those, sports is used to bring out bigger themes!
Would you recommend? Yes, absolutely.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Depends on the book! I liked how this book was really a character study of the members of a small town, not strictly a book about sports.
Would you recommend? Definitely!! This was so good. Each character was so well-drawn, and the book had so much to say about some really important issues. You definitely don't need to know anything about hockey to enjoy it.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Yes. I enjoy sports very much.
Would you recommend? Oh my yes! The writing was amazing. I was grabbed after a certain point and I couldn't put it down.
Title: What I Talk About When I Talk About RunningAuthor: Haruki Murakami
Is sports a topic you read again? Why or why not? Yes, especially about running!
Would you recommend? Definitely! Especially for beginner runners like myself! It’s very a very motivating book and makes you want to go run everyday!
Title: BeartownAuthor: Backman
I won't gravitate to sports books, but I won't say I would never read another.
Yes, I recommend this book, because while it revolves around hockey, it is more of a commentary on human strengths and weaknesses.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not?
No, not specifically a book about sports, but I enjoyed this book very much. I don't care much for sports, but in this book, hockey was just the theme around which the book revolved and everything I needed to know was explained.
Would you recommend? Yes, I would definitely recommend it!
Title: BeartownAuthor: Bachman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not?
Last year I read The Boys in the Boat for Book Riot’s challenge and this year Beartown. Both have surprised me by being excellent reads, though usually my interest in sports doesn’t extend beyond experiences - I like attending live games or watching things like the Olympics or championship games with groups, but I don’t have he interest to follow a season or anything. Books often capture those sorts of key moments of sports, which makes them interesting enough for me. I also enjoy reading about running and is tends to inspire me to go for a run.
Would you recommend? Yes. It’s a hard book, with the rape and the infant death being huge issues, but I think it’s a very good one.
Title:The CrossoverAuthor: Kwame Alexander
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Sure, this is not my usual topic, and I can't recall the last book on sports that I have read, but I really enjoyed this book in verse. I found the audio version to be very well done, and helped me follow the rhythm of the storylines.
Would you recommend? Yes, this book was excellent and short middle grade read. I think it would appeal to a lot of readers (sports, family, first love, sibling relationships, and can also fulfill the prompt on a story with twins).
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Bachman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Yes, I have no reservations in reading sports novels. In fact I’d love to read a sequel to thus about the girls hockey team!
Would you recommend? Yes, but with reservations. I felt it was a terrible book to get into, I put it away twice after getting so frustrated with it! But from about 1/3 through the style of writing, and pace and subject, changed for the better and I was hooked.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Bachman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Yes, I enjoy reading about sports or books with characters involved in sports. This story was close to me as I have two sons who play on our regional junior hockey team and can identify with the characters that make their son's sports the most important thing.
Would you recommend? Yes, I would recommend the read but would mention that it requires some patience while the scene is being setup. What kept me going was that I had read "A Man Called Ove" and loved it. So I knew the author and just had to be patient.
Title: Britt-Marie Was HereAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? I wouldn't mind reading a sports related book again if it's part of the story line like it was in this book.
Would you recommend? Yes! Definitely!
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? It really depends on the book for me. I haven't read a lot of books that I would classify as being "about sports." I enjoyed Beartown. I've also enjoyed The Boys in the Boat and Kwame Alexander's books, The Crossover and Booked. It is really more about the writing and the rest of the story for me.
Would you recommend? Very much so!
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Absolutely. I'm really not into sports, but the stories that surround sports are some of the most amazing stories out there.
Would you recommend? A thousand times yes. This book was absolutely gripping. From start to finish, it had me, and the writing was masterful.
Title: Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never SeenAuthor: Christopher McDougall
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not?
Yes. I am not really into sports but a book like this, which is as much about the people as it is about the sport itself, is really fascinating.
Would you recommend?
Absolutely. The writing, the stories - all in all, a gripping read
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not?
I read everything about everything so I'll definitely read another book about sports again. I read the autobiography of Sir Alex Ferguson last year. My boyfriend is a big Manchester United fan and I wanted to read the book so I can understand his fascination with the guy and the team.
Would you recommend?
Absolutely!
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Sure. It's not generally something I seek out, but if it sounds interesting or is recommended by a trusted fellow reader, I would read it. This book was definitely about more than just sports.
Would you recommend? Yes I would. I liked this a lot more than I thought I would.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Sports isn't a topic I read about often but I find that when I do I really enjoy the books.
Would you recommend? Definitely! I have already recommended it to a friend.
Title: Running the RiftAuthor: Naomi Benaron
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? I wouldn't seek out a book on sports, but I wouldn't mind reading a book set in a sports milieu.
Would you recommend? Running the Rift is about a talented runner in Rwanda who wants to compete in the Olympics, but he is a Tutsi and is discriminated against by the dominant Hutu. Reading about the events leading up to the genocide in Rwanda was informative. I thought I knew something about it, but it turns out I really knew very little. For that reason, I am glad I read the book. The main character, though, bugged me. He was a mixture of naive, foolish, and stubborn, and changes little throughout the course of the narrative. I also found the writing to be simplistic and obvious at times.
*I actually read Beartown last month because that's when my hold from the library came through and loved it. My first (and so far only) 5 star book of the year.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not?: I think I would, because even though I'm not a huge sports fan, I like learning more about what goes into them; I enjoy delving into the minds of athletes and learning why they love their sport so much.
Would you recommend?: I definitely would. I would say though, don't expect this to be like A Man Called Ove, because it is very different!
Laura wrote: "Title: 127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard PlaceAuthor: Aron Ralston
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? I think I would read a sport themed book..."
fantastic book. Read it a few years ago and love it but agree that he was reckless at times.
I finished! :)Title: Beartown
Author: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Yes absolutely. I just learned in this thread that Beartown is actually trilogy, so I'll be ordering the remaining books. I also have a few other books (Boys In The Boat) that are sports related on my list to read.
Would you recommend? Yes! It's a great book, the story is more about the characters, with the backdrop of hockey, rather than being about hockey itself.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Yes!! I love books in this topic so I was very excited when I saw this prompt.
Would you recommend? Absolutely! I actually just saw that there will be a sequel released in June so I already pre-ordered it. I love the story behind the town. It reminded me a lot of the show Friday Night Lights so it was easy to picture the characters in my head. Great book!
Title: Scandal (Beartown)Author: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? It would depend on the book. I have Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton on my book shelf I want to read.
Would you recommend? I don’t think it will be everyone’s taste. But I can’t think of several who would enjoy it.
Though I will advise them to wait until April! I ended up having to get the ebook because the original title Scandal is out of print and It has not been released yet as Beartown. It was an absolute hassle but I got it read with time to spare!
Title: What I Talk About When I Talk About RunningAuthor: Haruki Murakami
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? I don't really care for this topic, so probably not.
Would you recommend? Yes. This was an excellent book, though I found more inspirational in terms of writing. I don't think I'll be running a marathon anytime soon...
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not?
Yes I would read a book from this topic again. I enjoy sports and the inclusion of the goings on in the world surrounding the sport makes it enjoyable.
Would you recommend?
Yes, I would recommend this book to others.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not?
Maybe. I don't love sports, but I do love good stories, so I don't mind when they intersect.
Would you recommend?
10/10 would recommend this book! This is one of best books I've read over the last few years and it's about so much more than sports. I wish every English class in my country taught this book because of the important discussions that it would facilitate.
Finished 2/24/2018Title: Moonshot
Author: Alessandra Torre
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? I wouldn't go out of my way for it but it was an interesting romance novel.
Would you recommend? If you're ok with New Adult!
Title: Fever PitchAuthor: Nick Hornby
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? It would depend on the book
Would you recommend? I would recommend it to football lovers. The general concept of the book is interesting - the Author talks about his passion for football and how it relates to the main events in his life - but some parts are a bit difficult to follow / boring if you don't know much about Arsenal or English football.
Title : The Scandal (aka Beartown)Author : Fredrik Backman
Is sports topic you will recommend : definitely I love reading books about sports I don't know about. Makes it more interesting for me. With this book got the sense of the speed, fear and aggression in a ice hockey team both in the rink, but also in each individual player and the community.
Would you recommend : yes, yes, yes. This is the second book I have read by this author, first one "A Man Called Ove".
I unfortunately didn't get this one done on time, had some serious illness issues that last few weeks but I'm feeling better now and plan to read Bear Town and March's prompt as well this month.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not?
I would read a sports topic again. It's not normally something I gravitate toward because I don't watch or participate in sports, but I think as a backdrop they can be interesting. Or in a more biographical context, they can be inspirational.
Would you recommend?
I would recommend this book. It was slow to get started, but it ended up being really fascinating and emotionally involving. I enjoyed the book in spite of not knowing what I was getting into when I started.
Finished a little bit behindTitle: The Crossover
Author: Kwame Alexander
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not?
Not on purpose. I don't really enjoy reading about sports-- it's a bit far outside my comfort zone or interest really. I'll only pick up another sports related genre if it's getting great reviews and then I must see what the hype is about.
Would you recommend?
Yes, this was a good book with such an interesting premise. Poetry told for the middle grade audience. One I could easily recommend to almost any reader.
This book seemed perfect to read during the Olympics, but unfortunately I was a little slow at finishing it.Title:The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
Author:Wayne Coffey
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? I don't read it often, but the occasional sports book here and there is fine with me.
Would you recommend?I would recommend it to hockey lovers and nonfiction lovers.
I read Beartown last year (and loved it), so I chose something different. I didn't get it finished in February, though.Title: Assisted
Author: John Stockton
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? Definitely. I love sports and enjoy books about them. I like the themes of overcoming hardships and the joys of participation.
Would you recommend?I have been a Utah Jazz fan for 30+ years, and I'm embarrassed that it took me several years to get around to reading this book about one of my favorite athletes ever. It was a fun read as he was a notoriously private athlete.
Finally got it finished, bc I kept losing interest in it. Sports based books really aren't my kind of thing, so it was hard for me to focus. I won't say I won't ever read a sports based novel again but I'll only do it on recommendation.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? I would necessarily seek out sports books but I don't avoid them either.
Would you recommend? Yes. Although I thought the speed and quality of the book declined significantly towards the end it was an overall good read.
Title: BeartownAuthor: Fredrik Backman
Is sports a topic you will read again? Why or why not? This book has strong female characters! I loved all the women in this book, even the ones who really irked me...
Not just a book about hockey - I'm not going to spoil it but I think this is such an important topic and I think the author did a good job with difficult subject matter.
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this sports-themed book -hockey. I would have liked to learn even more about the sport, but I would say the book did increase my knowledge about the culture of hockey.
I was amazed the author, who is male, also tackled the really difficult subject matter and did so in a very sensitive and apt manor.
Would you recommend? Yes! I'll be reading more Backman and I might take a chance on another books with a sports theme.
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Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Beartown (other topics)Assisted: An Autobiography (other topics)
Beartown (other topics)
The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team (other topics)
The Crossover (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Fredrik Backman (other topics)Wayne Coffey (other topics)
Kwame Alexander (other topics)
Fredrik Backman (other topics)
Nick Hornby (other topics)
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