Recommended Reads: The Olympics

Happy Olympics season, everyone!

I know there are problems with the finances and everything, with discrepancies and politics and health concerns and whatever other issues, depending on the year and countries...

But I love the Olympics.

Especially the winter ones.

I'm not sure if I can make this clear enough. I love them. I follow them. I woke up before 4 am Friday morning so I could watch the Opening Ceremonies. Before I went to school. I have apps on my phone so I can stay up-to-date on who is playing when, on standings and the big stories. I rearranged part of my after-school schedule so I won't miss my favourite events. (Ahem - figure skating - ahem.) I get misty-eyed at the commercials that prey on people like me to sell things. That surge of patriotic pride? That twinge of emotion? Yeah, I'm a sucker for it. I love the stories. The people who appear in our national - and international - consciousness for the duration of the games. I love that stir that happens when a massive quantity of people come together to celebrate something.

And the thing is, I'm not even that crazy about sports and athletics. It's not that I don't like them; it's just, other than hockey and figure skating, I generally don't follow or worry about it.

Except during the Olympics.

So, I got to thinking, what are the books that speak to this celebration of sport and country?

Turns out, there are lots of ones for kids, and some romance ones, but I've come up with a bit of a random list for those of us looking for something with fully-clad torsos on our covers.

Like I said, the list is random, so if you have any suggestions, I would really love to hear (well, read!) them.

In no particular order (and, as per usual, clicking on the image will take you to the Goodreads page):

Fiction Actually About the Olympics:

GOLD by Chris Cleave

I read this one in 2016. It's the story of friendship, family, and the decisions made, set against the backdrop of the London 2012 Olympic games. Kate and Zoe are world-class athletes (cyclists, to be more specific) and friends. But on the eve of their last Olympics, choices must be made, truths confronted, and limits tested. It's a women's fiction novel told with sincerity and passion.

A Book with a Gold Cover:

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson

I know what you're thinking: Wait. What? All I can say, is I told you this list was random.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has a very yellow, gold cover. It's also exciting, like I find the games, with an incredible cast of characters.

Yes, I know I'm reaching. But hopefully I at least made you smile.

Something Very Canadian:

THE BEST LAID PLANS by Terry Fallis

Oh I loved this book. I'm always proud to be Canadian, but sometimes there's that extra stirring. The Olympics is one of those times. This book is everything awesome about Canada. It's incredibly irreverent and understated and ridiculously hilarious. The characters are memorable, the prose captivating, the politics, well, Canadian.

Something Rather Wintery:

ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE by Ian Fleming

Bet you didn't expect James Bond to make this list! This one takes place on an Alpine base. There's skiing and an intense skeleton scene, so if you want a light adventure featuring some intense winter sports, this one should feed that want.

Something More Subtle:

LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott

It's one of my favourite books, and something that's shown up again and again and again in my recommended reads lists. Yes, I can even make it fit in this one! So much of the movie reminds me of winter, of snuggling up and everything warm and lovely and heart-touching. There's sledding and skating, racing across the ice. And don't worry - when someone falls through (Geez, Amy!), everything turns out okay. (I'm entirely certain no one will be falling through the ice during the skating events at the Olympics though!)

Bonus (Not Actually a Book!):

TAM SAMSON'S ELEGY (poem) by Robbie Burns

Okay, I cheated; this one is a poem, not a full book. I do love Robbie Burns. (And not just because I love pretty much all things Scottish.) In one of the stanzas of his poem,"Tam Samson's Elegy", he uses a whole lot of curling terms. (I also love curling! I even used to help coach the high school beginners. I'm sure not very good, but it's fun!)

He was the king o' a' the Core,

To guard, or draw, or wick a bore,

Or up the rink like Jehu roar,

In time o' need; But now he lags on Death's hog-score

Tam Samson's dead!

---

In my searches I found reference to a few other books. I really want to find some more though. so if you have any suggestions I'd really love to read them!

Do you like the Olympics? I know many aren't that fond of them; I'd love to read your thoughts. Comment below, and please don't forget to subscribe to my monthly newsletter, which comes out the first Tuesday of the month.

#krystamacdonald #blog #recommendedreads #olympics