Read for Rio #ReadforRio

Read for Rio!

Reading is like a sport. Heck what am I saying it IS a sport. You can do it alone, join a bookclub team, spend time in the bar chatting plot tactics and meeting authors….and complete challenges where you read so many books in a month etc. There are even blogger awards and blogger events. Which is quite right. There should be. Reading and blogging is an endurance test which creates muscle and reading skill. We hone those muscles by blogging, reading, chatting, going to events and then we need down time to relax. Which we often fill by reading. Am I right?

I mean after a gritty two days reading crime, I need a fluffy romance. I love a good reading marathon but you do have to resurface and recharge the batteries. And I don’t just  mean on the kindle.
So with the Rio Olympics underway, we need to celebrate the sport of reading. Reading books set in Rio or Brazil are of course what I would recommend but what about books about sports?

Your reading kit – 

Something comfy to wear, some sporty shoes, a towel if the book gets you sweating with fear and something to drink. A book with a positive and encouraging title might not be the one you read but it’s good to have here as The Beauty of The End gets you discussing the plot, what on earth just happened then gets you wanting to read more…..
THE RIO TRIO :

Italy

Event  – Football

Commentator -Brigid Pasulka

Kick off events with The Sun and Other Stars

Lots of books about football but The Sun and Other Stars was inspired by the author’s stay in Italy when she saw just how fascinated and obsessed the Italians are with the beatiful game.
It’ about a young boy who is adrift in life until a football star ends up taking him under his wing. The boy then is able to live a better life and see a future with hope as opposed to the misery he is in.
Great message told via a sporting theme. Hits the goal.

England

Event – Swimming

Commentator – Louise Candlish

Phew it might be outdoors but this swimming pool has dark undercurrents and a deadly secret. Lidos are flourishing in London but it’s amazing who you might meet when you go to one. Groups of people go to swim and have fun, to watch their children whilst enjoying a coffee. But beware as the waters here are not the most dangerous part of your visit.

Dive into the swimming pool here

Sweden/Amsterdam

Event – Running

Commentator – Carrie Snyder

Now this HAS to be on any Rio/Olympic style reading marathon.It’s a story about a young girl living in rural Canada who dreams of being in the Olympics. At the age of 104, now living in a nursing home, she thinks back to those early dreams and relives the sporting memories with a journey through the ages.
The story was based on the real participants of the 1928 Amsterdam games in 1928 as the author was stunned that these were the first games where the controversy which surrounded the race , it being the first games at which women were allowed to compete in certain track and field events.

Can you keep up the pace with The Girl Runner

So remember reading is a marathon, pace yourself, enjoy the journey and when you finish that crossing line, write your review and start all over again.

#readforrio  This is also a nice campaign being championed by @BenchmarkEdu who focus on children’s books. They are “Looking to teach about current world events, how about using the games as a history lesson.” Now that is a team event definitely getting on board with. Stop by tomorrow for a child’s view of #Rio2016