NEWS
Read for the Gold
Dear Reader,
We are just two days away from the start of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, and it’s been an historic week in American politics with President Biden declining the Democratic party’s nomination for president just days after an assassination attempt of Republican presidential candidate Trump.
In a season when Americans are entrenched in peak polarization, it’s disorienting to turn our attention together to cheer for Team USA. But it’s also such sweet relief to join with communities across the country to become a unified cheering squad for the 500+ Olympians competing for us in Paris.
We’ve got some really terrific athletes to cheer for this summer – Steph Curry, Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Katie Ledecky, Sha’Carri Richardson, Coco Gauff, and . . . Davidson College student Evy Leibfarth! Evy is representing the USA on the Canoe & Kayak team. Go ‘Cats, go!
Now if you’re anything like us, you’re setting your alarms to catch your favorite events and scrolling through book lists to find your favorite Olympics-themed reads. Who doesn’t love a gripping sports narrative of trial and triumph?
Main Street Books has a number of nonfiction titles that are sure to transport you to the Olympic games—even if you can’t make it to Paris.
Topping our reading recs is Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe by David Maraniss.
Thorpe was a multi-sport athlete who won gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. He was also a member of the Sac and Fox Nation. Maraniss details the dramatic rise and fall of the man who was once widely considered to be one of the greatest athletes of all time.
If there were ever a medal to be given to the most popular Olympic-themed book, it would most certainly go to The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. (Perhaps we can thank George Clooney for his cinematic rendition of the story).
Since its publish date over a decade ago, the book has remained a bestseller and popular sports recommendation for a variety of readers. Brown tells the stunning tale of how an unlikely crew team from the University of Washington cemented its legacy at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Below we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite Olympics-themed reads. Enjoy!
With cheer (U-S-A!),
Adah
PS Bring your Waldo stamp card to the Where’s Waldo Grand Finale party on Saturday at 10:00 am to celebrate your hard work and for a chance to win prizes.
PPS Save the date for Bookstore Romance Day on Saturday, August 17th at Main Street Books!
Book details and ordering options:
Book details and ordering options: