Top Olympic Reads Recommended By Local Librarians

Editor's note: These recommendations come from Book Talk, a blog run by Orange County librarians.

By Book Talk

Since the opening ceremony, everyone has been totally fascinated by this year’s Olympic Games.

Television sets everywhere are set to the Games. It is very exciting! I love the Olympics.

Athletes from around the world coming together to reach for their dreams is very inspiring.

I can’t even imagine the thrill of being a member of the Olympic team.

There is so much history involved with the Olympics--competitors and viewers are part of something greater than themselves.

In anticipation of this year's games, several athletes came out with biographies and there are tons of new travel books about London. 

Even authors like James Patterson included Olympics-related plots in their fiction books.

I've compiled a list of some new and some older materials that will get you feeling the Olympic spirit.

Here are some books and two DVDs available at the library to get you in the mood for this summer’s Olympics. 

• Gold, by Chris Cleave

• Price of Gold: The Toll and Triumph of One Man's Olympic Dream, by Marty Nothstein

• Redemption: A Rebellious Spirit, a Praying Mother, and the Unlikely Path to Olympic Gold, by Bryan Clay

• The First Olympics: Blood, Honor and GloryChariots of FireComplete Book of the Olympics, by David Wallechinsky

• Rick Steves’ London 2012, by Rick Steves

Everyone has a favorite sport. Do you have a favorite Olympic competition, or your own Olympic-themed book or movie to add to the list?

In Lake Forest, visit  or  to check out books and DVDs. Get more reading recommendations on the OC Libraries' blog, Book Talk.