The Olympics have always been one of my favorite times of the year. I’ve been an avid watcher of both the Summer and Winter Olympics my entire life. There’s something awe-inspiring about watching these world class athletes compete at the highest level—watching the gymnasts flip and tumble, the figure skaters spin, the swimmers speed through the water. I’m also fascinated by the stories behind the athletes: what made them choose to begin their sport? What’s their training regimen like? What is it that appeals to them about the competition? With that in mind, reading athlete biographies and memoirs is a good method to get to know the person behind the athlete and their public persona. Here are a few I’ve found in our catalog:

Off Balance by Dominique Moceanu

Grace, Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith by Gabrielle Douglas

The Boys of Winter: the Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team by Wayne R. Coffey

Michael Phelps: Beneath the Surface by Michael Phelps

In the Water They Can’t See You Cry by Amanda Beard

Silent Gesture: The Autobiography of Tommie Smith by Tommie Smith

When Nobody Was Watching: My Hard-Fought Journey to the Top of the Soccer World by Carli Lloyd

Landing It: My Life On and Off the Ice by Scott Hamilton

-Joella T.