Teamwork. Perseverance. Humility. These are a few of the values that we hope our kids will pick up from sports—and in many cases, they do. But sports can teach us so much more about life and about ourselves—even as adults—if only we’re willing to listen. Check out the five remarkable reads below to find out what some of those life lessons could be.
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Sidecountry: Tales of Death and Life from the Back Roads of Sports
By John Branch
Sidecountry is a collection of classic stories from a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter, including “Snow Fall,” about downhill skiers caught in an avalanche in Washington state, and “Dawn Wall,” about rock climbers trying to scale Yosemite’s famed El Capitan. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author John Branch, in the Next Big Idea App
Winning: The Unforgiving Race to Greatness
By Tim S. Grover, with Shari Lesser Wenk
From the elite performance coach whose clients have included Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade, comes this brutally honest formula for winning in business, sports, or any arena where the battle is fiercely unforgiving. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Tim S. Grover, in the Next Big Idea App
Bravey: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas
By Alexi Pappas
Olympic athlete, actress, and filmmaker Alexi Pappas has accomplished much, but has also battled some fearsome inner demons. In this candid and moving memoir, she shares what she’s learned about overcoming adversity and living the life you’ve always wanted. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Alexi Pappas, in the Next Big Idea App
Let Them Lead: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America’s Worst High School Hockey Team
By John U. Bacon
An uplifting leadership book about a coach who helped transform the nation’s worst high school hockey team into one of the best. The strategy is straightforward: set high expectations, make them accountable to each other, and inspire them all to lead the team. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author John U. Bacon, in the Next Big Idea App
Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning
By Tom Vanderbilt
When we’re kids, we constantly try new hobbies, sports, and activities. So why do we stop trying new things in adulthood? In Beginners, an acclaimed journalist contends that you’re never too old to learn something new. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Tom Vanderbilt, in the Next Big Idea App
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