Training season meets reading season. These spring nonfiction releases focus on grit, discipline, and comeback stories. Athlete memoirs and outdoor adventures fill the list. Each book fuels motivation and drive. Pick one up before your next workout.
Best New Sports Books May 2026:
Big Fan: Two Friends, 82,490 Miles, and the Wild, Wonderful Sports We Love
by Michael Schur - Joe Posnanski - Tom Hanks
New York Times bestselling authors Mike Schur and Joe Posnanski travel the world in a hilarious and heartwarming celebration of fans and the things they love: baseball, basketball, chess, darts, football, futbol, Indigenous North American stickball, pickleball, WWE, Taylor Swift, Star Wars, and more.
Two great friends. Lots of frequent flyer miles. And a bottomless appetite for experiencing sports. That's what BIG FAN is all about.
Bestselling authors and podcast hosts Joe Posnanski and Mike Schur love games--almost any game!--and they bring readers to the front row (and sometimes even right onto the field). Whether ringside at WrestleMania in Las Vegas, singing along with the maniacs at the World Darts Championships in London, or just watching eight straight hours of football at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Dallas, they bring us to the very heart of what it means to love something so much it hurts.
Through crushing defeats and glorious wins, whether cheering penalty kicks with 65,000 fans in Liverpool or beholding a chess master castling in dead silence, BIG FAN is about why we love what we love and how fandom connects us in a time when so much else pulls us apart.
Nolan: The Singular Life of an American Original
by Tim Brown
The definitive biography of Nolan Ryan, arguably the greatest pitcher in the history of baseball, from New York Times bestselling sportswriter Tim Brown.
Nolan Ryan was the hero to two of America's biggest institutions: Texas and baseball. Nolan is an exploration of God, family, baseball, and America--and a tribute to one of the greatest pitchers to ever step on the mound. He grew up in the small, hard town of Alvin, Texas, was graced with a fastball, and fell in love with a woman named Ruth, then honored all three in his pursuit of hardball perfection.
Alongside Nolan's personal story, renowned sportswriter Tim Brown offers a thoughtful, deeply researched history of baseball in the Lone Star State, and an unforgettable account of three glorious decades in the Major Leagues.
Nolan Ryan's story is about dominating on the field, then growing old in the game, then just plain growing old. It's about the man who has become a symbol of the game at its best, the way it used to be. It's about deeds over words. About cattle matching the hat. About fastballs over all else.
Nolan makes the case that there has never been another like him. And there won't be again.
The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts
by Leander Schaerlaeckens
The gripping account of the U.S. men's national soccer team's winding saga from obscurity to the global stage as they stand on the brink of a seminal World Cup in 2026
For almost half a century, the U.S. men's national team existed on the fringes of world soccer--out of sight, out of mind, and, more often than not, out of the World Cup. Between 1950 and 1990, the program toiled in irrelevance, a collection of part-timers playing before empty bleachers.
Then, things began to shift, and today's U.S. men's team is loaded with young and pedigreed talent, expected to make its mark at the 2026 World Cup. The story of this team's rise to prominence is a dramatic journey, with setbacks, buffoonery, misunderstandings, glory, and a wide, eccentric, talented cast of characters. With unprecedented access to former and current national team players, coaches, and administrators, Schaerlaeckens traces the sport's evolution in the U.S.--from its outsider status to its modern foothold--and the challenges that have shaped the men's national team along the way. From systemic obstacles in youth development to an American sports culture that expects instant dominance, he explores why success has been elusive, and why that might finally be changing.
With insight, wit, and razor-sharp storytelling, The Long Game is an unforgettable look at the past, present, and uncertain future of American soccer-- and the team that could redefine it all.
April Books:
This Is Not about Running: A Memoir
by Mary Cain
By one of the fastest runners of her generation, an affecting, brutally honest memoir of elite sports gone wrong--and a clear-eyed call for how parents, coaches, and young athletes themselves can build a healthier youth sports culture.
Few women have ever run 800 meters in under two minutes. Even fewer people have taken on running's abusive training culture and won. Mary Cain has done both.
She emerged as a running phenom at age 12, a straight-A student obsessed with Greco-Roman mythology and the freedom she felt when she ran fast. Like any middle-schooler, she just wanted to fit in, so she learned to run through the discomfort of hard training sessions, and the confusion of her coaches' and teammates' bullying. And she was overjoyed when, at 16, Alberto Salazar called to invite her to train with the famed Nike Oregon Project.
Cain was poised to transform the sport, Salazar told her. She resolved to hold on to his favor, even as he insisted she lose weight and push through the pain of emerging injury. For years, she excelled, setting records against elite runners twice her age. The Olympics were in her sights.
But off the track, Cain was crumbling. She snuck granola bars in the middle of the night and sank into a deep depression as injury after injury set in. Finally, she left the Oregon Project, telling herself she just needed a break. A chorus rang out across the running community: What happened to Mary Cain?
Now, with her suit against Nike behind her, Cain is ready to share her side of the story--and to flip the script on abuse in youth sports. She draws on her diaries from this wrenching period of abuse to show, with clarity we rarely see, how young minds respond to the win-at-all-costs culture that pervades youth sports today. By turns raw, wry, and impassioned, This Is Not About Running is a fierce memoir of the damage wrought when we prioritize competition over mental health.
Those Who Are about to Die: A Day in the Life of a Roman Gladiator
by Harry Sidebottom
ONE OF THE ECONOMIST'S BEST BOOKS OF 2025 - See ancient Rome through the eyes of a gladiator--from the evening before the games at the Colosseum to the evening after
"A grippingly original way of making the alien world of the Roman Amphitheatre both accessible and comprehensible." --Tom Holland, co-host of The Rest is History
What did a gladiator feel when he stepped out onto the sand of the Colosseum, his life in the balance? What ran through the minds of the masses there to witness his likely execution? And how did this bloodthirsty ritual come to exist in the first place?
In Those Who Are About to Die, Harry Sidebottom pulls us into the arena, and into the homes and forums of ancient Rome, taking the reader on an eye-opening, twenty-four-hour tour through Roman life at the height of the gladiatorial games, from the first century BC to the second century AD.
We follow the gladiators through the schools (ludi) where they trained, watch in awe as the massive event unfolds--from the gambling at the pre-festival dinner, to the dawn rush to get a seat in the arena, to the resounding music, the elaborate stage sets, and, yes, the public executions that served as lunch-break entertainment--and we unlearn all the bogus movie tropes (gladiators did not have ripped bods; they were kept fleshy so they'd bleed more).
Broken down by time of day--Vesper, Prima Vigilia, Secunda Vigilia, up through the following sunset (Solis Occasus)--Those Who Are About to Die offers illuminating insights into every aspect of Roman life and thought: their social mores and hierarchies, their feelings about death and sex and violence, and the myths and dreams that fueled the spectacle of the Games.
march Books:
North of Ordinary: How One Woman Left It All Behind for Wilderness and Wonder in Alaska's Frozen Frontier
by Sue Aikens - Michael Vlessides
When the wild strips everything away, what's left is who you are.
In the raw, untamed wilds of Alaska--where the wind howls, predators hunt, and the sun disappears for months--only a rare few figure out how to survive. Sue Aikens, the breakout star of National Geographic's long-running TV show Life Below Zero, is one of them. At her remote outpost 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, she weathers more than just brutal winters and hungry bears. Sue battles isolation, injury, and the ghosts of a turbulent past, forging a life in a place most people wouldn't last a day.
Left to fend for herself as a child, Sue's fight to survive began long before she ever set foot in Alaska. In North of Ordinary, she tells the unforgettable story of abandonment, grit, and fierce independence--from navigating deadly storms and surviving a horrific bear attack to learning how to build a life, a home, and a sense of self where most would see only desolation. With her trademark wit, fearless honesty, and an indomitable spirit, Sue proves that the toughest terrain isn't always on the map. It's the one we conquer inside.
Unflinching and inspiring, North of Ordinary is a memoir of resilience, reinvention, and the extraordinary power of choosing your own way through the world.
The High-Protein Plate: 100 Satisfying Everyday Recipes
by Rachael Devaux
Protein goals are easy with these one hundred recipes, meal prep tips, and 28-day program from New York Times bestselling author and registered dietitian Rachael DeVaux of @RachaelsGoodEats.
Getting enough protein is essential. It's needed for health and strength at every stage of life. The more protein you eat, the more satisfied, energized, and resilient you'll feel. It builds muscle, fuels hormones, and supports every organ.
In The High Protein Plate, Rachael DeVaux, New York Times bestselling author of Rachael's Good Eats, shows how anyone at any stage of life can easily incorporate protein into their diet. The High Protein Plate includes the following:
- 100 high-protein, craveable recipes for packing protein from breakfast through dessert.
- Straightforward guidance on how much protein you really need--and why it matters.
- Macros for every recipe, so you can easily track what's best for you.
- Confidence to plan and prepare balanced, purposeful meals.
- Meal prep tips to set you up for success all week long.
- A 28-day plan to help get you started and stay on track.
Real-life practicality meets science-backed nutrition in Rachael's approach. She embraces better-for-you swaps over strict food rules and shares alternatives to packaged foods so you can build balanced protein-forward plates that are satisfying and simple. From Buffalo Chicken Baked Tacos and Honey Blackberry Overnight Oats to Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta, these meals are made for everyday life.
Rachael is a registered dietitian, personal trainer, and mom who knows firsthand the power of protein. Whether you're focused on building lean muscle, balancing blood sugar, boosting energy, or just feeding your family well you need protein. The High Protein Plate makes it simple--and delicious to get enough every day.
Court Queens: Celebrate the Players, Teams, and History of Women's Basketball
by Emma Baccellieri - Jordan Robinson
A definitive, first-of-its-kind, richly photographic celebration of women's basketball captures the passion, energy, and skill of the sport--and the many players and coaches who helped build it.
Women's basketball is taking the country by storm with record-breaking viewership and attendance--and unprecedented attention. These new stars stand on the shoulders of countless trailblazing players and coaches. While fighting for their place on the court over the last 130 years, they were also playing some of the most thrilling, hard-fought games in basketball history.
Deeply researched and deftly written, this love letter to the game covers the history of college and professional women's basketball through vivid portraits of forgotten heroes, individual games, unforgettable moments, and iconic teams and seasons. Journalists and superfans Emma Baccellieri and Jordan Robinson begin with Senda Berenson introducing the game to women at Smith College in 1892--where the players wore ankle-length skirts!--and chart the growth of the sport around the country over the decades that followed. From six-on-six to five-on-five, college to professional to international, they cover the people who have defined women's basketball.
Baccellieri and Robinson chronicle some of the legendary players who helped build the game as we know it today, like Cheryl Miller, Lisa Leslie, and Diana Taurasi, and the coaches who shaped them. From the early professional leagues to the birth of the WNBA and right up to the modern day of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, the book traces how far the women's game (and fandom) has come. And for every star whose name you already know, Court Queens introduces you to a handful of electric, game-changing others who never got the shine they deserved.
Packed with hundreds of photos and pieces of memorabilia, this seminal work is filled with stories you won't soon forget.
Women Who Hike National Parks: Walking with America's Most Inspiring Adventurers
by Heather Balogh Rochfort
A Celebration of Athleticism, Wisdom, and Skill
From thru-hikers and founders to authors and social media voices, these inspiring women are shaping the future of the outdoors--one trail at a time. Each profile pairs a favorite national park hike with a personal story of challenge, growth, and purpose. Through candid reflections and practical tips, they offer trail-tested wisdom and life-tested insight for anyone seeking connection, adventure, or inspiration.
Set against the backdrop of some of the most iconic landscapes in the world, this book is also a love letter to the national parks that continue to inspire, heal, and unite us. Stunning photography, detailed maps, and honest storytelling invite readers to follow in these women's footsteps--or forge their own way.
Inside You'll Find:
- Personal stories from women making their mark on the outdoor world in unique and modern ways
- Detailed hike guides with maps, GPS coordinates, mileage, and insider tips
- Gorgeous full-color photography capturing both the landscapes and the spirit of each hiker
Whether you're planning your next national park adventure or looking for a reminder of what you're capable of, Women Who Hike National Parks is a celebration of courage, creativity, and the power of walking your own path--on trails that belong to us all.
See Below for the Book's Contributors and Their Associated National Parks:
1. Crystal Carr
ANGELS LANDING TRAIL, ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
2. Shilletha Curtis
TETON CREST TRAIL, GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
3. Lyla Harrod
NANKOWEAP TRAIL TO THE GRANARIES, GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA
4. Abbi Hearne
FIERY FURNACE AND SURPRISE ARCH, ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
5. Clarice Henry-Tracht
OLD BIG OAK FLAT TO YOSEMITE FALLS, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
6. Nicole R. Jackson
MEDICINE ROOT AND CASTLE TRAIL LOOP, BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
7. Patrice La Vigne
TRIPLE LAKES TRAIL, DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA
8. Sarah Lamagna
BEEHIVE TRAIL, ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, MAINE
9. Jessica Pekari
PACIFIC CREST TRAIL, LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
10. Emily Pennington
HIGH SIERRA TRAIL, SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
11. Amanda Powell
DELICATE ARCH, ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
12. Taylor Rabe
PEBBLE CREEK TRAIL TO BLISS PASS, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
13. Hailey Terry
PAINTBRUSH CANYON TO CASCADE CANYON, GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
14. Liz "Snorkel" Thomas
GLEN AULIN CAMP VIA WHITE CASCADE AND TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
15. Stacey Todd
SOUTH KAIBAB, PHANTOM RANCH, AND BRIGHT ANGEL, GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA
16. Miranda Webster
HARVEST SCENE VIA PETE'S MESA ROUTE, CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
17. Jacey West
VALLEY VIEW OVERLOOK NATURE TRAIL, SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA
World Cup Fever: A Soccer Journey in Nine Tournaments
by Simon Kuper
The story of how soccer has transformed the world--as seen through nine World Cups--by one of our most talented writers on the sport.
The World Cup is the biggest sporting spectacle on Earth--a chance every four years for the greatest players to win international glory, and a month-long media event that's watched by an audience of billions.
But the tournament has changed beyond recognition since the inaugural event in Montevideo, Uruguay, in July 1930. What was once a semi-professional meeting beset by haphazard play has evolved to become a game of multinational buyouts, dubious ethics, and questionable aims--and the new era of soccer has much to tell us about the globalized world.
Simon Kuper is among the vanishingly small number of writers who have attended every World Cup since 1990. World Cup Fever is his journey to find the heart of soccer, through the nine tournaments he's experienced first-hand--from watching matches in half-empty stands during Italia 1990 (a tournament that at times felt like a village fete) to witnessing the French triumph at home in 1998; South Africa's national dream in 2010; and the troubling legacy of Qatar in 2022.
Told on the pitch, in the stands, in the pubs, and on the streets, this is the story of how soccer has changed the world.
Related: For more action/adventure books, check out our Stunt Double picks, or if you enjoy politics and current events, you may appreciate our book recommendations for Mavericks.