It seems like book clubs have become a popular trend, with celebrities like Dua Lipa, Morgann Book, Reese Witherspoon, and Oprah leading the way.
However, a new twist in the book club scene is emerging among professional athletes. NBA players Victor Wembanyama and Harrison Barnes from the San Antonio Spurs have initiated a book club within their team, aiming to encourage more members to join, as seen in a video on the league’s YouTube channel.
Similarly, the NHL’s San Jose Sharks boast a book club comprising players like Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, Tyler Toffoli, and Ty Dellandrea. There’s a playful secrecy surrounding the books they read, making it a humorous mystery among the team.
Athletes from the PWHL and the WNBA, including teams like the Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, Toronto Tempo, and New York Liberty, have also embraced book clubs as a way to bond and share their love for reading.
Claire Dalton, a forward for the Toronto Sceptres, revealed that the idea of a book club originated from her time with the Montreal Victoire and was seamlessly integrated into the Toronto team. Together with goaltender Raygan Kirk, they initiated the club to discuss various books, such as “Gone Before Goodbye” and “The Heir Apparent.”
The Toronto Sceptres’ book club gatherings over coffee during the season have proven to be popular, with discussions fueled by prompts from Google and Reddit, covering a diverse selection of books.
The Toronto Tempo, a new WNBA team, was inspired to start their book club by guard Kia Nurse and teammate Nyara Sabally. Formed through a draft process, the team found the book club to be a valuable tool for building chemistry off the court.
Nurse emphasized the significance of understanding her teammates through book discussions, highlighting the diverse interpretations and perspectives shared during their meetings.
For Nurse, reading serves as a vital escape from the pressures of sports, offering a different identity and perspective beyond athletic achievements. The impact of these book clubs extends beyond the teams involved, with social media engagement and community events showcasing the positive influence of reading.
The collaboration between the Toronto Sceptres and The Children’s Book Bank, leading to the Sceptres Storytime event, exemplifies the power of reading in inspiring children and breaking stereotypes surrounding academics and athletics.
By promoting reading as a fun and collective activity, both athletes and organizations like The Children’s Book Bank aim to encourage a love for reading among children, showcasing that anyone can be a reader.