Professional athletes are now joining the book club trend, fostering camaraderie among teammates. In the NBA, players from the San Antonio Spurs and the NHL’s San Jose Sharks have embraced book clubs. Athletes in the PWHL and WNBA, such as the Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, Toronto Tempo, and New York Liberty, are also actively engaging in book club activities.
Toronto Sceptres forward Claire Dalton, a book club enthusiast, initiated the team’s book club along with goalie Raygan Kirk. Meeting over coffee during the season, the Sceptres delved into various titles like “Gone Before Goodbye,” “The Heir Apparent,” and “Palm Villa.” The club, comprising about 15 players during the regular season, proved to be a rewarding bonding experience.
Similarly, the Toronto Tempo, a new WNBA team formed through an expansion draft, embraced the concept of a book club led by guard Kia Nurse and teammate Nyara Sabally. The team’s first book, “It Should Have Been You” by Andrea Mara, sparked engaging discussions during their travels.
For athletes like Nurse, reading serves as a vital escape from the pressures of sports, providing a different avenue for self-expression and relaxation. The positive impact of these book clubs extends beyond the teams, with initiatives like the Sceptres Storytime event at The Children’s Book Bank promoting literacy and community engagement.
By showcasing athletes as reading role models, these book clubs aim to break stereotypes and encourage a love for reading among children, emphasizing the enjoyment and inclusivity of reading as a leisure activity.