Book Recommendations – 12 Books about Sports, Sports, and Sporty People!

In case you’re new to the Pond’s book recommendation posts, the recommendation posts are brought to you by Varian, the Pond’s very own Toadshifter who is knowledgeable in all kinds of magic! One of Varian’s ambitions is to get better at sewing, hence why whenever Varian has come up with their latest costume, they will always recommend a few books that inspired them!

With the end of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 earlier this week, we thought: why not put together a list of stories about sport or sporty people?! I’ve never been a sporty person nor do I really watch much sport – though, does watching Haikyuu!! count? – but I do on occasion enjoy a story that centers on sports.

Black History Month – An Interview with Alyssa Cole; On Writing Different Genres, Balancing Power and Romance, and Her New Graphic Novel

Our Friend is Here! is a guest feature at The Quiet Pond, where authors, creatives, and fellow readers, are invited to ‘visit’ the Pond! In Our Friend is Here! guest posts, our visitors (as their very own unique character!) have a friendly conversation about anything related to books or being a reader — and become friends with Xiaolong and friends.

Our Friend is Here: Black History Month Edition is a month-long event at The Quiet Pond during the month of February, where Black authors are invited to celebrate being Black and Black books! Find the introduction post for Black History Month here.

Alyssa Cole is a force to be reckoned with. Alyssa has published over thirty books across her author career, most notably her Reluctant Royals romance series about Black women who find love in royal places, her mystery-thriller, When No One is Watching, and more recently, her Runaway Royals series. All in all, Alyssa has written fabulous inclusive books in historical romance, science-fiction, and thriller/mystery.

Black History Month – An Interview with Julian Winters, Author of The Summer of Everything; On Creating Communities, Queer Black Stories, and Quarantine Tunes

Our Friend is Here! is a guest feature at The Quiet Pond, where authors, creatives, and fellow readers, are invited to ‘visit’ the Pond! In Our Friend is Here! guest posts, our visitors (as their very own unique character!) have a friendly conversation about anything related to books or being a reader — and become friends with Xiaolong and friends.

Our Friend is Here: Black History Month Edition is a month-long event at The Quiet Pond during the month of February, where Black authors are invited to celebrate being Black and Black books! Find the introduction post for Black History Month here.

From his first published novel Running with Lions to his upcoming Right Where I Left You (2022), Julian Winters has been loved at the Pond from day one. His novels feature Black queer protagonists, who are lovable, fun, and thoughtful. They demonstrate that it is okay to be figuring stuff out, and to enjoy themselves along the way.