Thursday, August 14, 2008

Booking Through Thursday


You, um, may have noticed that the Olympics are going on right now, so that’s the genesis of this week’s question, in two parts:

First:

  • Do you or have you ever read books about the Olympics? About sports in general?
  • Fictional ones? Or non-fiction? Or both?

And, Second:

  • Do you consider yourself a sports fan?
  • Because, of course, if you’re a rabid fan and read about sports constantly, there’s a logic there; if you hate sports and never read anything sports-related, that, too … but you don’t have to love sports to enjoy a good sports story.
  • (Or a good sports movie, for that matter. Feel free to expand this into a discussion about “Friday Night Lights” or “The Natural” or whatever…)
I think I almost never read books about sports. The closest I've come is American Shaolin, which I reviewed last Friday (I timed the review to coincide with the start of the Olympics in China) about an American college student who goes to the Shaolin Temple to learn martial arts. I'm trying to remember if there's anything else like that I've read, but at 4:26 am it's not easy!

Am I a sports fan? Not really. I've had some fun following the Michael Phelps hype and watching a woman from my area win a silver medal in gymnastics (and it rocked when the Celtics won the championship this year) but otherwise... nope.

13 comments:

Lynda said...

Michael Phelps has done well ;0)

Anonymous said...

I'm a college sports fan. I don't enjoy the Olympics since it's professionals competing. I read that, at 16, Michael Phelps is the youngest person to ever go pro as a swimmer. I didn't even know you could go pro as a swimmer.

SmilingSally said...

I know what you mean. It rocked when the Miami Heat won the championship!

Alea said...

I just don't like sports.. I did dance for 12 years but that's all. I rather do just about anything that something that has to do with sports.

Anonymous said...

4:26 am? I don't think I've been up that late since the first year of college...seven years ago...wow.

Anonymous said...

I love playing sports!!! I like the gymnastics!

Btw I tried joining books and blogs but fir some reason it won't activate. It can't read the code on my site though the widget is visible. I think my page has to many subdirectories or something.

Anonymous said...

Michael Phelps is definately a marvel, both in his actual physical abilities and in his unusual physiology that makes him perfect for his sport. His body shape is similar to that of a bullet and he has size 14 feet. He's like a human/dolphin hybrid.

There were several divers this year from my area. One not far from where I grew up.

jlshall said...

Yes, it's really good to have a winning Celtics team again at long last. It made my hubby so very happy!

Stephanie said...

I'm a huge sports fan. Never been a big sports reader though.

Yeah for the Celtics!! I was so happy to see Kevin Garnett do well in Boston. He's such a great guy!

Anonymous said...

Not much of a sports fan either. My ineptitude in sports has been a stigma growing up. But I do follow the UK soccer league. I work out at the gym. :)

Karen Harrington said...

If I had a nickel for every BTT post that mentioned Michael Phelps. Perhaps he has a book in his future. :)

Candy Schultz said...

I have always been an athlete so have an inordinate amount of interest in sports. Only read Lance Armstrong's books but always watch the Olympics. I am only hobbling a couple of miles a day now but have run marathons and all distances under. Age and infirmity have not diminished my enjoyment of running - whether doing it or watching it.

Julia said...

I'm rooting for Michale Phelps to reach his gold goal..he've done so well :) I too enjoyed watching gymnastics too.