The 2012 Summer Olympics are set in London from July 27 through August 12 and will feature 32 sports and 302 events. Catch the coverage locally on NBC. In between events, also read about past Olympics as well as enjoy great fiction books with an Olympic or competitive sports flavor. Short lists follow.
Olympics & Olympians
How to Watch the Olympics : the Essential Guide to the Rules, Statistics, Heroes, and Zeroes of Every Sport by David Goldblatt
Michael Phelps : the Untold Story of a Champion by Bob Schaller
Triumph : the Untold Story of Jesse Owens & Hitler's Olympics by Jeremy Schaap
Rome 1960 : the Olympics that Changed the World by David Maraniss
Native American Son : the Life and Sporting Legend of Jim Thorpe by Kate Buford
Athens to Athens : the Official History of the Olympic Games and the IOC, 1896-2004 by David Miller
The Amateurs by David Halberstam
The Complete Book of the Olympics by David Wallechinsky
Olympic Fiction
Soon to be and already bestsellers include Private Games from the prolific James Patterson and Gold, the latest from Little Bee author Chris Cleave.
If you read "off list" try:
Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron
Flight from Berlin by David John
Once a Runner by John L. Parker, Jr.
The Games by Ted Kosmatka
For Kids
Gold Medal Summer by Donna Freitas
A Passion for Victory by Benson Bobrick
Geronimo Stilton Saves the Olympics by Geronimo Stilton
Top 25 Gymnastics Skills, Tips, and Tricks by Jeff Savage
Top 25 Soccer Skills, Tips and Tricks by Jeff Savage
Winning Team and Balancing Act by Dominique Moceanu and Alicia Thompson
Yes She Can! Women Sports Pioneers by Glenn Stout
G is for Gold Medal : an Olympics Alphabet by Brad Herzog
Decathlon, High Jump and Other Field Events by Jason Page
Great Moments in the Summer Olympics by Matt Christopher
Queen of the Track by Heather Lang
