Olympic gold medal winner and two-time World Cup champion, Megan Rapinoe is nothing if not unapologetic. On top of being the first prominent women’s soccer player to come out, she’s also used her platform to fight against the Trump administration, racial injustice, marriage inequality and the gender pay gap. Her 2020 memoir One Life traces her twin passions of soccer and social justice, encouraging readers to step outside themselves and take up space.
In a year-end reading list for Amazon Book Review, Rapinoe reflected on her favorite books of 2020. Rich in stories of self-love and overcoming adversity, find her recommendations below. Then dive into the bookshelves of other famous athletes and activists.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
“Young adult novels are such an underrated resource. It’s important to expose yourself to the stories of people who don’t often get to be the center of attention, as well as more academic options. This is a beautiful portrayal of growing up and loving yourself.” -MR
The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
“This book will grab you and not let you go. Karla Cornejo Villavicencio’s writing is incredible as she tells stories that need to be told now more than ever.” -MR
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
“Tayari Jones does a painfully beautiful job of taking us through what our justice system can do to a couple. Her writing is so gripping and the story brings the humanity of these issues to the front.” -MR
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay (also rec’d by Emma Watson)
“This book took my breath away. Roxane Gay gives a gut-wrenching and enlightening look into her story, while uncovering the ways our society makes being a woman and having a body so damn hard.” -MR
(via Amazon Book Review)