My hometown didn’t have an ice rink until I was in high school, but that didn’t stop me from falling in love with figure skating. From making backyard rinks to coaching learn-to-skate, I did everything I could to spend more time on ice. I also voraciously devoured books with even a hint (like a frozen pond!) of figure skating. All too often, these attempts to spend more time in the skating world only resulted in frustration when authors messed up key details. This list includes my favorite books about skating that fellow figure skaters can enjoy without inaccuracies tripping up their extra ice time.
There are so many figure-skater-meets-hockey-player stories out there, and while I will always love The Cutting Edge, I adored how Sara Fujimura went for a new move with this novel by bringing in the world of speed skating. Olivia is the daughter of famous Olympians trying to figure out a normal teen life after her own skating falters. Her world collides with Jonah’s when he begins speed skating at her family’s struggling rink. A roller derby friend brings extra fun to this novel.
Every Reason We Shouldn't by Sara Fujimura is a charming multicultural romance perfect for the many fans of Jenny Han and Rainbow Rowell.
Warning: Contains family expectations, delightful banter, great romantic tension, skating (all kinds!), Korean pastries, and all the feels.
Sixteen-year-old figure skater Olivia Kennedy’s Olympic dreams have ended. She’s bitter, but enjoying life as a regular teenager instead of trying to live up to expectations of being the daughter of Olympians Michael Kennedy and Midori Nakashima...until Jonah Choi starts training at her family's struggling rink.
Jonah's driven, talented, going for the Olympics in speed skating, completely annoying… and…
So much of pair skating relies on selling a romance – so what do you do when your feelings cross partnerships? Courtney’s skating with Mark, and their biggest rivals are Stephanie and Josh, so falling for Josh can’t be part of the plan – except it’s happening anyway. Author Jennifer Comeaux calls herself a figure skating fanatic, and her passion for the sport shines in her writing. Grade of execution bonus: this book is the first in a trilogy.
Pair skaters Courtney and Mark have one shot left at their Olympic dream. They vow not to let anything get in their way, especially not Josh and Stephanie, the wealthy and talented brother and sister team.
The heart doesn’t always listen to reason, though…
The more time Courtney spends with sweet, shy Josh, the harder she falls for him. But they are on opposite sides of the competition, and their futures are headed in opposite directions. Will their friendship blossom into more or are their paths too different to cross?
Take one workaholic lawyer with six months to secure her promotion to law firm partner. Add an attractive, fun-loving neighbor next door who makes her laugh and tempts her with a different life. Is this a recipe for love or disaster?
This graphic novel memoir is a special favorite of mine because it depicts two areas that don’t get a lot of coverage in the figure skating world: synchronized skating and girl-girl romance. Though the book is ultimately about Tillie’s decision to leave the skating world, her years of experience in it mean that her gorgeous graphic work depicts a reality that will resonate with other skaters.
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It was the same every morning. Wake up, grab the ice skates, and head to the rink while the world was still dark. Weekends were spent in glitter and tights at competitions. Perform. Smile. And do it again. She was good. She won. And she hated it. Poignant and captivating, Ignatz Award winner Tillie Walden’s powerful graphic memoir captures what it’s like to come of age, come out, and come to terms with leaving behind everything you used to know.
Though this book is technically not a young adult title, it’s one that young adult figure skating fans will enjoy. Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov are the classic real-life romance story when it comes to pair skating. When I first started drafting my own book, I had a romance like theirs in mind. In this book, Ekaterina details how she and Sergei met, and, through their years together, fell in love. Warning: their story will take your heart and rip it to pieces.
The Olympic gold medalist offers a poignant, loving account of her life with her long-time partner and beloved husband, Sergei Grinkov, from their first introduction and successive world pairs skating championships, to their storybook romance and marriage, to the fatal heart attack that took Sergei's life.
Love and War in the Jewish Quarter
by
Dora Levy Mossanen,
A breathtaking journey across Iran where war and superstition, jealousy and betrayal, and passion and loyalty rage behind the impenetrable walls of mansions and the crumbling houses of the Jewish Quarter.
Against the tumultuous background of World War II, Dr. Yaran will find himself caught in the thrall of the…
Wanted: One Perfect Boy is just one of the fantastic titles in the Silver Blades series by Melissa Lowell. This series, published during the 1990s heyday of skating, leans toward the tween crowd but is a great sentimental binge read. This particular title is about a pair partnership breakup, no romance involved, but still delivers all the feels in Nikki’s search for a new partner.
Maddy’s been in love with the boy next door for forever. She spends time in Gabe’s arms every day – as his skating partner. How can she convince him they’re meant to be partners off the ice as well? Gabe knows he needs Maddy to make it to the Olympics. He’s never dated anyone for more than two weeks and there’s no way he’s risking thirteen years of training – until their coach forces his hand. Will their new romantic program be the big break Maddy’s been hoping for or the big break-up that Gabe has always feared?
Two years ago, devastated by the sudden death of his older brother, Hank Atwater went on a drinking rampage that ended in his being arrested. Since then, he has been working to rebuild his reputation in his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina, with little luck. But everything changes after a…
