Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

A Professional Athlete Who Doesn’t Take Himself Too Seriously

How to Be a Footballer by Peter Crouch

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Best for: People who enjoying playing or watching football, especially the men’s game, especially the English Premier League. In a nutshell: Professional football (soccer) player Peter Crouch offers a glimpse into the lives of professional players, including what goes on in the changing rooms, what it’s like to be traded (sold) to another team, and why so many seem to buy such … interesting cars. Worth quoting: “You should probably be able to absorb the pain of an opposition goal without needing to wave two […]

Mean football wives

Intercepted by Alexa Martin

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I was heading out on another backpacking trip and needed some tent reading that I would find both entertaining and not scary/disturbing. Romances usually do the trick, and I found one from NPR’s Best Books of 2018 List. NPR recommended Intercepted (2018) by Alexa Martin as a fun, sporty romance involving football. Marlee Harper is the long-time girlfriend of star receiver, Chris Alexander of the Denver Mustangs. She’s been with him for about ten years, since high school. But when she catches him cheating on her–again–she dumps him […]

The crack of the bat, the stench of popcorn, the cheers of the fans!

Fuzzy Baseball Volume 1 by John Steven Gurney

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I learned about Fuzzy Baseball when a Facebook friend of a friend of mine turned out to be the author of the series. John Steven Gurney also commented on the fact I was planning on picking it up by saying he was in talks with our events person to come to the store. Therefore, of course, I had to read this book about baseball. Ah! Baseball! The game with the sticks and hats and balls! That pastime that we sing about. The one that has hard bleachers, […]

Like a Sports Movie, In Reverse

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

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Football is the quintessential American sport. Two disciplined armies meet out on an open field. Highly trained men in uniform wallop the enemy, denying them ground. Our super soldiers bash their brains in—and sometimes break their necks—for our entertainment. And we cheer. Because who doesn’t love a proxy war? It’s tribal. Downright primal. Are you entertained?! *checks notes* Pardon. Apparently, baseball is America’s game. A sport that considers the no-hitter, a game in which absolutely nothing happens, as the pinnacle of the art. A sport […]

Coming to Realize that I Really Do Love Sports Stories

Fence, volume 1 by C.S. Pacat and Johanna the Mad

Fence, volume 2 by C.S. Pacat and Johanna the Mad

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As per narfna’s suggestion in a glowing review of the first volume of Fence, I waited until there was at least a second volume out: and it still seemed to go by far too quickly! At least the next one is scheduled to be released in August which isn’t too far away, I guess… In any case, this comic series is a super cute and fun one, about a sport I haven’t seen featured much in sports movies/books, etc. There are definitely some familiar features […]

44 Days

The Damned United by David Peace

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In 1974 the defending champion Leeds United needed a new manager as their legendary coach Don Revie was leaving to take over the English national team. In a shocking move Leeds hired Brian Clough, an outspoken critic of Leeds and their style of play. After alienating the players, the fans, and his bosses, Clough was sacked after only 44 days. The Damned United is David Peace’s novelized version of this time period. Using artistic license to imagine Clough’s state of mind during this ordeal and […]



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