BOOKS

Everyone loves an inspirational read and with the Olympics in full swing, there are plenty of Olympic- and sports-themed books to inspire you and your love for #TeamUSA. So whether you’re into the Olympics or just want to read some sweet stories, check out these books for an easy end-of-summer read.

Eddie the Eagle: My Story by Eddie Edwards

An autobiography, Eddie the Eagle is the ultimate underdog story and promotes the message that anything is possible. Despite Eddie's nerdy look and lack of athletic skill, he was able to become an Olympic athlete, competing in the 1988 games as a ski jumper. Talk about inspiring!

Throw Like a Girl: How to Dream Big & Believe in Yourself by Jennie Finch

Written by two-time Olympian Jennie Finch, this book offers valuable advice to girls of all ages interested in sports. Jennie has made her passion into a career, which in itself is something to look up to. She loves all things athletic but also the enjoys feminine fun at the same time. She shares personal experiences throughout, but the main message of the book is to believe in yourself. 

Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn't Sit Still by Karlin Gray

This book tells the story of Nadia Comaneci and her journey from being a typical small-town girl to an Olympic gold medalist and all the struggles in-between. This story about a little girl who went from a town in Romania to a world class athlete will definitely leave you feeling inspired. What's coolest, though, is that her story is told through illustrations, perfectly conveying all of the energy and emotions felt throughout the journey.

Raising the Bar by Gabrielle Douglas

We *love* women's gymnastics, which is why we heart this book told from Gabby’s perspective. From how her life has changed to what remained the same, it explores everything from her day-to-day life to her training routine. If you ever want to know what really happens after winning a gold medal, this book has all the insider info.

Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper by Ann Malaspina

This is an inspiring story of Alice Coachman, an African American woman who was able to achieve her Olympic dreams. She went from being told that she wouldn’t be able to accomplish her dreams to winning an actual gold medal, this book is sure to make you feel like anything is possible. 

The Flip Side by Shawn Johnson

Being a teen gymnast is definitely nothing normal, and olympic-athlete-turned-reality-star Shawn Johnson is here to tell all about it. This is a fictional story about a highschool girl with a big secret: While she may seem like every other girl in her class, she spends all her free time training to be an Olympian. Shawn Johnson writes about the everyday struggles of high school, falling in love and being an Olympic superstar.

Have you read any of these books? Which one if your favorite? 

Photo credit: Goodreads.

by Emmrick McCadden | 8/15/2016