10 books about sport that every fan should read

There is always a dead point during the weekend when no sport is on TV and the weather is too poor for a kick-about outside. A novel about sport is a suitable substitute. These ten diverse titles are for every armchair fan and every player consigned to the bench.

Run by Ann Patchett

Athletes should read Ann Patchett’s Run. This novel traces the intertwined fortunes of two Boston families following a car accident. It covers race relations, social inclusion, politics and the heartbreak of parenting. It is also a tribute to the beauty and grace of long-distance running.

Netherland by Joseph O’Neill

If cricket is your game, look at Joseph O’Neill’s Netherland. It stars a Dutchman living in NYC post 9/11 who joins a cricket team at the Staten Island Cricket Club. He connects with other outsiders, including Trinidadian entrepreneur Chuck Ramkissoon, who meets a sticky end.

The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver

For snooker players, there is Lionel Shriver’s behemoth, The Post-Birthday World. Irina, a children’s book illustrator, must choose between her long-term partner Lawrence or snooker pro Ramsey. The book plays out both scenarios in alternating chapters. It is a good sales pitch for snooker despite the cover.

Underworld by Don DeLillo

Baseball fans should check out Don DeLillo’s Underworld. It features the FBI, the mafia and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Most importantly, it features the Giants and the Dodgers and Branca pitching to Thompson on October 3rd 1951.

Miracle on 49th Street by Mike Lupica

Basketball fans might like Mike Lupica’s Miracle on 49th Street. It is a Young Adult title but remains a gripping story about families. Twelve-year-old Molly tracks down her father, who is Boston Celtics superstar Josh Cameron. The story follows whether Josh will make room for his daughter.

Barracuda by Christos Tsiolkas

Swimmers should look at Christos Tsiolkas’s Barracuda. It follows the declining fortunes of a teenage swimming star. It is a blockbuster drama with excellent descriptions of the physicality of swimming and the brutality of the competition scene.

Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby

For soccer fans, Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch is an autobiographical account of a fan’s misery watching Arsenal from the sixties to the eighties. It is funny and informative. You do not have to like the Gunners to enjoy it.

Horse Heaven by Jane Smiley

If you are into horse racing, find Jane Smiley’s Horse Heaven. It is an intricately plotted exploration of stud farms, trainers and millionaire owners. It features jockeys, gamblers, a horse whisperer and the horses themselves.

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

For sailing, there are many choices from CS Forester’s Hornblower series to Nevil Shute’s Trustee from the Toolroom. Melville’s Moby Dick remains the top choice. It is long but surprisingly hilarious. It is a fascinating account of life and madness at sea.