Any good memoirs by female athletes?

[Anonymous]

One Life by Megan Rapinoe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not Too Late by Gwendolyn Bounds is on my TBR list.

I like Not Too Late - I’m in that demographic! I also like The Rose Crew and Drawn to the Rhythm, both by/about female rowers. And if they make you want to row, it’s not too late! Plenty of learn to row programs for middle aged folks in this area.

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed Kara Goucher’s The Longest Race. It tells of her time as an elite runner with the Nike Oregon Project, coached by the now-disgraced Alberto Salazar. She speaks out about the culture of shame and abuse she and her teammates had to endure (while Nike made excuses for Salazar) and the wild ups and downs that come with the territory of being an athlete at that level. She is brave to tell her story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really enjoyed Kara Goucher’s The Longest Race. It tells of her time as an elite runner with the Nike Oregon Project, coached by the now-disgraced Alberto Salazar. She speaks out about the culture of shame and abuse she and her teammates had to endure (while Nike made excuses for Salazar) and the wild ups and downs that come with the territory of being an athlete at that level. She is brave to tell her story.

Also thought this one was okay, but agree with PP that they’re generally ghostwritten dreck. Which is unfortunate.

[Anonymous]

A Physical Education

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised but I literally can't think of any by females that I have read.

I like Carrie Soto mentioned, and best non-fiction sports books that I have read are not about women!

Born to Run, Boys in the Boat

I'd add Unbroken to that list, although it is neither a memoir nor about a female athlete. And I loved Carrie Soto.

Haha, I am the PP you're quoting and I also agree with you to add Unbroken - I had considered it initially and decided somehow it was one bridge too far

[Anonymous]

May not count but how about Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed.

[Anonymous]

has anyone read Katie Ledecky's book? I want to read it, but agree with others that these books tend to be not good - but to be fair, they are written by teenagers.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the Godamned Ice Cube by Blair Braverman. She's a dogsledder. The memoir isn't about dog sledding (although that is discussed) so much as learning to survive outside / alone.

[Anonymous]

Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor
Forward by Abby Wambach

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:has anyone read Katie Ledecky's book? I want to read it, but agree with others that these books tend to be not good - but to be fair, they are written by teenagers.

I did. It doesn’t break the mold discussed here. Nothing very revealing and simplistically written. I do believe she wrote it herself vs a ghostwriter but not positive on that. I got it from the library and it was a ok read but nothing special.

[Anonymous]

I've read Abbi Wambach's - Forward, Megan Rapinoe's and Alex Morgan's. I recommend all of them but Abbi's and Megan's were a bit more interesting- more drama, more honesty-- than Alex's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Abby Wambach- Wolfpack!

Meh. I found it boring.

[Anonymous]

Here’s a sample list:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/women-in-sports-inspirational-biographies-and-memoirs/

The Gracie Gold book is compelling - and heartbreaking, in spots - especially if you follow figure skating.