Looking for an amazing book with sports and betting themes? Haven't read a book in awhile but like the idea of finishing one?

Post Office, Charles Bukowski - Want an easy, funny read about a degenerate? One that counts as serious literature because of the author? 

Henry Chinaski takes a job at the post office to pursue his true passions of alcohol, women and race track betting. Based on the author’s life, the main character romps from one hilarious affair to another and even tries to make a living as a professional bettor.

“But I couldn’t help thinking, god, all these mailmen do is drop in their letters and get laid. This is the job for me, oh yes yes yes.”

196 pages, HarperCollins edition, 2002.

Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway - Interested in a fantastic adventure out on the high seas? One that will inspire you to grind more than any internet influencer?

Old man Santiago had not caught a fish in 84 days, but that did not stop him from going out again into the Caribbean. His solo journey to catch a huge marlin glorifies the timeless ideals of grit and determination no matter the outcome. 

Except for possibly the short story The Snows of Kilimanjaro, this is my favorite work by Hemingway.

127 pages, Scribner edition, 2003.

In a Lonely Place, Dorthy Hughes - Looking for a crime story with an incredible ending? An easy read that makes you feel many emotions about the main characters?

In mid 20th century Los Angeles, Dix Steele is a slimy hustler who uses his looks and charm on women and the wealthy. And he has a habit of strangling women to death. However, he finally meets his match in the stunning red head Laurel Gray.

I despised the two main characters so much I almost stopped reading the book. But sometimes an author is so talented you can’t help but finish this psychological thriller. 

198 pages, NYRB edition, 2017.

Shoe Dog, Phil Knight - Looking for an incredible story about building a global brand? An easy, fun read even for people not interested in business?

After a run, Phil Knight decided to act on a paper he wrote in business school and import Japanese running shoes. His ambition bordering on insanity turned this tiny company into the global behemoth of Nike.

A decade after founding his company, Knight had to reveal to his Japanese creditors in 1975 that he bought a shoe factory without telling them. That story alone is worth reading this book.

386 pages, original hardback, 2016.

Duel in the Sun, John Brant - Interested in a hidden gem about running that is really about addiction and faith? Need meaning in your boring, adult life?

In the 1982 Boston Marathon, upstart Dick Beardsley challenged superstar Alberto Salazar in a race decided in the final meters. More interesting than the outcome of the race, Brant describes how Beardsley battled drugs and Salazar found faith after neither man ran as well after this marathon.

I have read Duel in the Sun twice, and I also go back to certain passages about the running boom. During the 70s and 80s, ordinary people plowed through 100 mile weeks with zero financial reward in the hopes of salvation in road races.

224 pages, paperback edition, 2007.