It seems like book clubs are becoming increasingly popular among various personalities, including musician Dua Lipa, influencer Morgann Book, actor Reese Witherspoon, and broadcaster Oprah.
A new trend in book clubs has emerged within the realm of professional athletes, as seen with NBA players Victor Wembanyama and Harrison Barnes of the San Antonio Spurs spearheading a book club initiative to involve more teammates, as showcased in a video on the NBA’s YouTube channel.
Similarly, the NHL’s San Jose Sharks boast a secret book club featuring Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, Tyler Toffoli, and Ty Dellandrea, where the players humorously keep their reading choices under wraps.
Athletes from the PWHL and the WNBA, such as the Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, Toronto Tempo, and New York Liberty, also engage in book club activities to foster camaraderie.
Toronto Sceptres forward Claire Dalton, formerly part of the Montreal Victoire’s book club, initiated a similar club in Toronto together with goalie Raygan Kirk to unwind and discuss recent reads with teammates.
The Sceptres’ book club gatherings over coffee during the season involve lively discussions prompted by Google and Reddit, covering books like “Gone Before Goodbye,” “The Heir Apparent,” and “Palm Villa.”
The Toronto Sceptres had around 15 players participating in the book club during the regular season, with potential changes expected due to free agency and expansion.
Toronto Sceptres’ goaltender Raygan Kirk celebrating with teammates after a PWHL hockey game in Vancouver on March 1, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press)
Building Team Chemistry
The Toronto Tempo’s book club, inspired by another team, was initiated by player Kia Nurse, aiming to strengthen team bonds and chemistry off the court for the newly formed WNBA expansion team.
Nurse emphasized the importance of friendship in sports and the positive impact of shared reading experiences on understanding teammates better through diverse perspectives.
The Toronto Tempo’s inaugural book club read, “It Should Have Been You” by Andrea Mara, was discussed during a flight to a game, showcasing the team’s commitment to integrating book discussions into their shared experiences.
Reading for Personal Growth
Kia Nurse highlighted the role of reading as a mental escape for athletes, allowing them to explore different worlds and characters beyond the pressures of sports, contributing to personal identity development.
The engagement of sports teams in book clubs has garnered significant attention on social media platforms, with fans showing interest in the teams’ reading choices and actively participating in the literary journey.
Community Engagement
The Toronto Sceptres’ book club activities inspired a collaboration with The Children’s Book Bank, leading to the creation of Sceptres Storytime, an event promoting reading and literacy among children in Toronto.
The event featured goalies Raygan Kirk and Jessie McPherson reading “Breaking The Ice” to kids, followed by a Q&A session with author Erin Silver, emphasizing the importance of diverse reading role models in encouraging children to embrace reading as an enjoyable and inclusive activity.
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