The Incomplete Book of Running, by Peter Sagal

If you are an NPR fan and enjoy “Wait, Wait...” , then chances are you will like this book. It’s a light, quick read full of Peter Sagal’s personal accomplishments in running. I do have to say that I was expecting something a little more entertaining. The author is true to his word; it is incomplete.

The Story of Modern Skiing, by John Fry

The second is a comprehensive, sweeping account of skiing in the second half of the 20th century. I was reluctant to pick up this book, because the title sounded so encyclopedic. I had been looking for something a bit more like Jon Krakauer, but on a less ambitious scale. For lack of any other available options, I finally checked it out- and so glad I did! The sheer breadth of it had me wondering how long it took him to complete. He gives just enough detail to paint a picture, but does not indulge in lengthy, long-winded prose. His sense of when to move on to the next topic seemed intuitive; it figures that he had previously worked for many years as an editor. If you are at all curious about ski racing, the rise of the shaped ski, and why there has never been all that much ski racing aired on television, then this book is for you!