Like many Americans, the majority of my weekend was spent watching the NCAA March Madness games. (For any non-sports watchers, March Madness is basically the most epic annual college basketball tournament to ever exist.) And while my bracket may be in terrible shape, I'm still caught up in the spirit of the tournament—the athleticism exhibited, the school spirit, and the fierce competition. You could say I'm in a pretty sporty mood. So it struck me as an opportune time to share the collection of bookprints from some incredible basketball players and top-notch athletes from other sports. (Reminder: a "bookprint" is the list of five books that have influenced someone's life.)
So as we jump into the Sweet Sixteen, here's a reminder that sports players may dominate on the court or field, but they also take the time to read every day.
Amar’e Stoudemire (New York Knicks)
- No, David! by David Shannon
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers
- Thick & Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
- Water: For Health, for Healing, for Life by F. Batmanghelidj
- The Bible
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
- Oh, The Places You Will Go! by Dr. Seuss
- Red and Me by Bill Russell
- Essentials of Meterology by C Donald Ahrens
-
Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success: Building Blocks For a Better Life by John Wooden and Jay Carty
Justin Tuck (Oakland Raiders)
- Raising Cain by Dan Kindlon, Ph.D., and Michael Thompson, Ph.D
- Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
- The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
- The Bible
-
The Purpose-Driven Life: what on earth am I here for? by Rick Warren
Kristi Yamaguchi (Figure Skater)
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
- Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
- Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
- Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice
- The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama
Eli Manning (New York Giants)
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- Tom Jefferson by Helen Albee Monsell and Kenneth Wagner
- Jim Thorpe by Helen Albee Monsell and Kenneth Wagner
- The Cay by Theodore Taylor
- Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Plus, a special message from Amar'e Stoudemire himself!
