The 52 Book Club: 2025 / 2026 Challenge discussion

TEAM SPORTS: Bronze

19) HANDBALL: Author who shares the same last name as an Olympian

For this first prompt in our team sports event, we’re looking for an author who shares the same last name as an Olympian. This could be any Olympic or Paralympic athlete from any year, summer or winter Olympics, medal-winner or not. As long as the author and Olympian share at least one surname, it counts toward this prompt. The author’s last name may be a pseudonym.

Creative interpretations: You may use part of the Olympic athlete’s name within the author’s name, or vice versa. (For example: Olympian: Usain Bolt, and author: Sharon Bolton.) As another creative interpretation, you may choose a book written by the Olympic athlete themselves.



Here is the link for our Goodreads List, feel free to add your suggestions to it!

Thanks to other posters for letting us know there's a "Christie". I'll read some Agatha

I had to check it out, but Norwegian runner Atle Douglas partisipated in 2 Summer Olympic Games, Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996.

My choice is then another werewolf book:

The Beast Within: A History of the Werewolf by Adam Douglas

Agatha Christie (for Linford Christie) was the first I thought of for this prompt.

Clare wrote: "Agatha Christie (for Linford Christie) was the first I thought of for this prompt."

Thank you, Clare! I'm trying to use this challenge to do as much Agatha as possible.

I'm going to read The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie (Linford Christie)

Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols

(Olympian Caroline Nichols)

Daley Thompson won a gold in the decathlon twice, in 1980 and 1984.

Good excuse to read Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me

Jim Hines was the 1968 gold medalist in the 100 meter sprint and 4 X 100 relay. Jim C. Hines wrote Codex Born, number 2 in the Magic ex Libris series, and the book I just finished.

I read Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas who shares a last name with Gabby Thomas, a 2x Olympic medalist.

I'm going to read something by James Patterson - there was Carly Patterson in the 2004 Olympics.

Clare wrote: "Agatha Christie (for Linford Christie) was the first I thought of for this prompt."

Thank you for letting me know this. As if I needed an excuse to pick up another Agatha book. Perfect time for me to finally get into Mrs. Marple. I'll start off with Murder at the Vicarage

There are many Olympians over the years with the last name Williams. I read Don't Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You: A Memoir by Lucinda Williams

I read The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams, who shares a name with British Olympic Gold winning Boxer Nicola Adams

I read The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean, 2 Stars

I listebed to Great Britain?: The must-read Sunday Times bestseller: How We Get Our Future Back by Torsten Bell who is now a member of parliament .

GB Paralympian wheelchair basketball - Kayla Bell.

I read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

There’s a paralympian called David weir. I’m already planning to read Andy weir’s novels for main prompts

I'm reading The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez — there was a rugby player named Constantin Henriquez who became the first black athlete to compete in the Olympics when he played with the French team at the Paris 1900 Olympics.

Read Stilton Slaughter by Steve Higgs. Raymond Higgs from Bahamas was in London 2012 long jump event.

Listened to the audiobook "Torchwood: Broken" for this prompt. As it's my first acquaintance with Torchwood, I didn't capture everything. Yet very emotional read and a good amount of suspense. More soap than book, but enjoyed it. Author Joseph Lidster shares his last name with Canadian ice hockey champion Doug Lidster, representing his country in the 1984 Olympics.

I listened to The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame for this. He shares a last name with John Grahame, a 2006 USA Olympian.

I read The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins. She shares her last name with American athlete Chari Hawkins.
https://cdnbookworm.blogspot.com/2024...

I read Train Wreck by Elise Faber. This was a 2 Star read - do not recommend. There is a US Hockey Olympian named Brock Faber.

Sounder by William H. Armstrong