Here are five recommended reads for book lovers who want to get in the Olympic spirit.

Barracuda by Christos Tsiolkas

When Danny Kelly’s parents manage to send him to the most prestigious private school with the finest swimming program, Danny finds himself bullied and shunned as an outsider. But Danny’s win-at-all-cost ferocity gradually wins favour with the coolest boys – at a cost. Christos Tsiolkas is known for crafting compelling stories that examine the structures of class and society in Australia. In this novel, he uses the lens of competitive swimming to unpack these themes, and Barracuda provides much insight into the tough world these athletes inhabit.

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

Henry Skrimshander has a talent for baseball that borders on genius but when he misthrows a ball, his life and those around him are changed forever. Chad Harbach’s The Art of Fielding is quite simply one of the best sport novels you’ll ever read, whether you know a thing about baseball or not. Harbach’s portrayal of Henry’s transformation from a player who performs perfectly, to one frozen by a lack of confidence feels achingly true-to-life.

You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott

Athletes competing at high levels frequently have supportive families who have sacrificed much along the way. In Megan Abbott’s latest psychological thriller, we see two such parents, Katie and Eric, who have made their gymnast daughter, Devon, the centre of their world. But when a violent hit-and-run accident sends shockwaves through their close-knit community, Katie is forced to learn some unexpected truths about Devon and their relationship with one another.

Gold by Chris Cleave

Chris Cleave was inspired to write his novel during the lead-up to the 2012 Summer Olympics; it tells the story of two friends and professional cycling rivals, Kate and Zoe, as they prepare to compete in these same Games. The relationship between the two friends is fraught and complicated, and each struggles to maintain balance in their lives. Zoe struggles to make room for anything other than her career, and Kate must contend with her daughter who is battling leukemia.

When Girls Became Lions by Valerie J. Gin and Jo Kadlecek

This novel celebrates the landmark championship win of the USA Women’s Soccer Team at the June 2015 FIFA World Cup, as well as the growing impact of women athletes as role models at this time in history. The novel is co-authored by Valerie J. Gin and Jo Kadlecek, both former college athletes and coaches and it’s an important contribution to the ordinarily male-dominated sports genre.