Nowadays, it seems like book clubs are everywhere, with notable figures like Dua Lipa, Morgann Book, Reese Witherspoon, and Oprah leading the way.
However, a new trend is emerging in the world of professional sports where athletes are spearheading book clubs for their teams. NBA players Victor Wembanyama and Harrison Barnes of the San Antonio Spurs are actively encouraging their teammates to join their book club, as shown in a video on the league’s YouTube channel.
The San Jose Sharks in the NHL also have a book club, featuring players like Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, Tyler Toffoli, and Ty Dellandrea. Interestingly, the members keep their book choices under wraps, turning it into a playful secret within the team.
Athletes from the PWHL and the WNBA, including teams like the Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, Toronto Tempo, and New York Liberty, have found common ground in book clubs as a means of bonding.
Claire Dalton, a forward for the Toronto Sceptres, highlighted the team’s love for reading during a podcast recording earlier this year. She shared how the idea of a book club seamlessly transitioned from her previous team, the Montreal Victoire, to the Toronto Sceptres.
The Sceptres’ book club, initiated by Dalton and goalie Raygan Kirk, convenes over coffee during the season, using online resources for discussion prompts. Their reading list includes titles like “Gone Before Goodbye,” “The Heir Apparent,” and “Palm Villa.”
At the time of the interview, the Sceptres boasted around 15 active members in the book club, a number subject to change due to offseason transitions in the team roster.
Toronto Sceptres’ goaltender Raygan Kirk celebrates with her teammates after a game in Vancouver on March 1, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press)
Building Team Unity
The Toronto Tempo’s book club, as revealed by guard Kia Nurse in an upcoming podcast episode, draws inspiration from the team’s desire to foster camaraderie. Formed recently in the WNBA through various drafts and signings, the Tempo utilizes activities like the book club to strengthen their off-court connections.
Nurse emphasized the importance of friendship within sports, particularly in basketball, and how initiatives like a book club lay the groundwork for team cohesion.
Engaging in discussions about books has enabled Nurse to gain insights into her teammates’ perspectives, leading to enjoyable conversations and shared interpretations of different literary works.
Their inaugural book club selection, “It Should Have Been You” by Andrea Mara, set the tone for their discussions, even taking place during their travels to a game.
Nurse, a fervent reader, views books as a form of escapism from the pressures of professional sports, allowing her to explore diverse narratives and characters beyond the realm of athletics.
The public acknowledgment of these teams’ book clubs has generated significant interest, with fans eagerly following their reading journeys and engaging with the shared book selections.
Community Engagement
The book club initiatives have even extended to community involvement, with the Toronto Sceptres partnering with The Children’s Book Bank for a special event called Sceptres Storytime