Readers Place: July 2026
A collection of sports books to keep you going till the next big game.
Bleachers by John Grisham (Library Catalog)
The fictitious story of a legendary Texas high school football coach and his impact not just on his players but on his town. Coach Eddie Rake is a hard-nosed football coach whose tough demeanor has led to great success. One of his greatest quarterbacks, Neely Crenshaw returns for his funeral, and the untold story of Coach Rake’s impact is told. An excellent book for adolescent and adult football fans who want to learn about the impact of football both on and off the field.
Blood in the Garden: the flagrant history of the 1990s New York Knicks by Chris Herring (Library Catalog)
The definitive history of the 1990s New York Knicks, illustrating how Pat Riley, Patrick Ewing, John Starks, Charles Oakley, and Anthony Mason resurrected the iconic franchise through oppressive physicality and unmatched grit. During the 90s the Big Apple had a club it was madly in love with—one that earned respect not only by winning, but through brute force. As the 1990s progressed, the Knicks endeared themselves to millions of fans; not for how much they won, but for their colorful cast of characters and their hardworking mentality. Through his original reporting and interviews with more than two hundred people, author Chris Herring delves into the origin, evolution, and eventual demise of the iconic club. He takes us inside the locker room, executive boardrooms, and onto the court for the key moments that lifted the club to new heights, and the ones that threatened to send everything crashing down in spectacular fashion. Blood in the Garden is a portrait filled with eye-opening details that have never been shared before, revealing the full story of the franchise in the midst of the NBA's golden era.
The Breaks of the Game by David Halberstam (Library Catalog)
The chronicling of the 1979-1980 Portland Trail Blazers season, both on and off the court. Not just a statistical recap of a team that, just three years prior, won the NBA championship, this book is a broader discussion of the NBA and social issues. From following the injury plague of star Bill Walton to the suspension of Kermit Washington, there is more than just individual games to interest readers. Fans of the NBA and those just interested in athletes' lives will enjoy this book
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (Library Catalog)
Josh and Jordan Bell are twin basketball prodigies who face both on- and off-court challenges. Their story is told in a unique way: a novel that uses verse, rap, and poetry to illustrate it. From family struggles to school issues, the Bell twins navigate it all. Pre-teen and teen basketball fans will enjoy this book, which blends basketball with life's challenges.
The Game by Ken Dryden (Library Catalog)
A memoir by one of the best goalies in hockey history. The chronicling of a legendary athlete’s final season through the first-hand perspective. Readers get a behind-the-scenes look at the details of life and the locker room, not just for a single legendary athlete but for a legendary team: the late-1970s Montreal Canadiens. Will be enjoyed by both hockey lovers and newcomers to hockey who want to go inside the game.
The Messi Effect: How the Global Legend Changed the Future of American Soccer by Paul Tenorio (Library Catalog)
An inside and behind-the-scenes look at the arrival of global soccer legend Lionel Messi to Major League Soccer. A chronicling of Messi’s not just business but cultural impact on Miami and America. From both league and team sources, readers are told the story of negotiations and the balance of shaping and handling Messi’s groundbreaking move to Inter Miami. Not just soccer fans will enjoy this book; so will anyone interested in business and its impact on communities.
Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis (Library Catalog)
The story of how the small-budget Oakland Athletics rose to prominence in baseball. General manager Billy Beane aims to make the Athletics a competitive baseball team once again. Beane has to do so on a lackluster budget and goes against conventional baseball wisdom. Both Beane’s and the early 2000s Athletics stories are told. Baseball gurus, as well as new fans, will both enjoy and understand this book.
Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments by Joe Posnanski (Library Catalog)
A countdown and guide to 50 iconic and lesser-known moments that shaped baseball’s cultural significance. Dating all the way back to Babe Ruth’s “called shot” and spanning to the 2016 Chicago Cubs World Series win, readers are given an up-close look at all 50 moments. Through interviews and descriptions from fans, umpires, players, and coaches who witnessed the moments, readers can learn new history and details. Lifelong baseball fans and/or new fans are able to enjoy this book due to its captivating nature in exploring baseball history.
Compiled by guest contributor Ethan Goldstein. Ethan grew up in Maplewood, is a graduate of Columbia High School and a rising sophomore at Drew University.