87 books like Every Reason We Shouldn't

By Sara Fujimura,

Here are 87 books that Every Reason We Shouldn't fans have personally recommended if you like Every Reason We Shouldn't. Shepherd is a community of 11,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Crossing the Ice

Katie Van Ark Author Of The Boy Next Door

From my list on figure skating that won’t make skaters cringe.

Why am I passionate about this?

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.

Katie's book list on figure skating that won’t make skaters cringe

Katie Van Ark Why did Katie love this book?

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.

By Jennifer Comeaux,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Crossing the Ice as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Falling hard never felt so good.

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?


Book cover of Spinning

Jonah Newman Author Of Out of Left Field

From my list on gay coming-of-age graphic novels.

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm a gay cartoonist and editor who lives and breathes graphic novels. As an editor at Graphix, Scholastic's graphic novel imprint, I've worked with Dav Pilkey, Jamar Nicholas, Angeli Rafer, Kane Lynch, and many others. As a cartoonist, I'm the author and illustrator of Out of Left Field, which is based on my experiences as a closeted kid on the high school baseball team. So many wonderful books have influenced my journey and career, but these are some of my favorites: groundbreaking graphic novels that helped make Out of Left Field possible.

Jonah's book list on gay coming-of-age graphic novels

Jonah Newman Why did Jonah love this book?

Walden is one of my favorite pure artists—one of those people whose drawings I look at and say to myself: “I could never draw like that even if I practiced for the rest of my life.”

She combines her jaw-dropping artwork with sensitive, nuanced writing. While her work is consistently brilliant, this book—a memoir of her time coming-of-age as a queer person while being a competitive figure skater—was one of my foremost inspirations for my book, which started as a similar queer sports memoir before morphing into semi-autobiographical fiction.

By Tillie Walden,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Spinning as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 13, 14, 15, and 16.

What is this book about?

Download a FREE sampler of SPINNING by Tillie Walden!

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.


Book cover of My Sergei: A Love Story

Katie Van Ark Author Of The Boy Next Door

From my list on figure skating that won’t make skaters cringe.

Why am I passionate about this?

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.

Katie's book list on figure skating that won’t make skaters cringe

Katie Van Ark Why did Katie love this book?

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.

By Ekaterina Gordeeva, E. M. Swift,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked My Sergei as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

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.


Book cover of Wanted: One Perfect Boy

Katie Van Ark Author Of The Boy Next Door

From my list on figure skating that won’t make skaters cringe.

Why am I passionate about this?

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.

Katie's book list on figure skating that won’t make skaters cringe

Katie Van Ark Why did Katie love this book?

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. 

By Melissa Lowell,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Wanted as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

Book by Lowell, Melissa


Book cover of Life on the Edge

Alina Adams Author Of Figure Skating Mystery Series (5 Books in 1)

From my list on figure skating and it’s scandals.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a researcher, writer, and producer for ABC Sports, ESPN, NBC, and TNT, I first wrote two non-fiction books, Inside Figure Skating, and Sarah Hughes: Skating to the Stars (and this was before she won the Olympic Gold in 2002). With the Figure Skating Mystery series, I was finally able to tell all the juicy stories I couldn’t when I was working for television or writing non-fiction. It was very therapeutic. But I wasn’t just a writer of books about figure skating. I was a reader, too. I learned so much from the experts, especially those willing to admit how things really were, rather than how the sport would like to appear on the surface.

Alina's book list on figure skating and it’s scandals

Alina Adams Why did Alina love this book?

Everyone who watches figure skating has, at one time, 'shipped' a pair or ice dance couple, or one singles skater with another. It's almost impossible to watch attractive, passionate people fling their bodies at each other and act out dramatic, romantic scenarios and not imagine what it might be like if they were a couple off the ice, too. Life on the Edge is the first book in the ongoing Edge series which does exactly that - with details! And then keeps the story going!

By Jennifer Comeaux,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Life on the Edge as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 13, 14, 15, and 16.

What is this book about?

Nineteen-year-old Emily is new to pairs skating, but she and her partner Chris have a big dream-to be the first American team to win Olympic gold. Their young coach Sergei, who left Russia after a mysterious end to his skating career, believes they can break through and make history.

Emily and Chris are on track to be top contenders at the Winter Games. But when forbidden feelings spark between Emily and Sergei, broken trust and an unexpected enemy threaten to derail Emily's dreams of gold.


Book cover of Queen of Ice, Queen of Shadows: The Unsuspected Life of Sonja Henie

Ryan Stevens Author Of Jackson Haines: The Skating King

From my list on figure skating biographies you'll ever read.

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm a Canadian author and figure skating historian. I have written about the sport's fascinating past for over a decade. My innate curiosity about skating history dates back to the days of BETA tapes and card catalogs. Long before YouTube and social media, the only insights we often had about skater's stories were small nuggets of information passed on in television broadcasts and magazines. Figure skating biographies are a rare treat, allowing us to really get to know the people behind the skating performances we love. I'm absolutely delighted to share with you a skating biography of my own - the true story of The Father of Figure Skating - Jackson Haines. 

Ryan's book list on figure skating biographies you'll ever read

Ryan Stevens Why did Ryan love this book?

How can you not be fascinated by someone like Sonja Henie?

She went from finishing dead last on her first trip to the Olympics in 1924 to winning gold at the next three Games, along with ten World titles - an unprecedented record in women's figure skating even today. Sonja turned professional and became a household name, starring in nearly a dozen big-budget films during Hollywood's golden age.

This biography, which has been criticized by many, reveals a darker side to the first 'ice queen'. They say the truth always lies somewhere in the middle, but the stories in this book paint a fascinating picture of the cold grit behind Henie's glittering public persona.

By Raymond Strait, Leif Henie,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Queen of Ice, Queen of Shadows as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Describes the life of the champion figure skater, and discusses her film career, marriages, divorces, and alcoholism


Book cover of Beautiful on the Outside: A Memoir

Ryan Stevens Author Of Jackson Haines: The Skating King

From my list on figure skating biographies you'll ever read.

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm a Canadian author and figure skating historian. I have written about the sport's fascinating past for over a decade. My innate curiosity about skating history dates back to the days of BETA tapes and card catalogs. Long before YouTube and social media, the only insights we often had about skater's stories were small nuggets of information passed on in television broadcasts and magazines. Figure skating biographies are a rare treat, allowing us to really get to know the people behind the skating performances we love. I'm absolutely delighted to share with you a skating biography of my own - the true story of The Father of Figure Skating - Jackson Haines. 

Ryan's book list on figure skating biographies you'll ever read

Ryan Stevens Why did Ryan love this book?

I don't see how anyone couldn't love Adam Rippon. Not only is he a gorgeous skater... he has an absolutely killer sense of humour!

What is particularly refreshing about this particularly autobiography is that Adam doesn't take himself too seriously. He's not afraid to be matter-of-fact and have a laugh about some of the setbacks he faced during his skating career. If you're looking for a refreshing and fun skating memoir, this one is completely out of the box.

By Adam Rippon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Beautiful on the Outside as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?


Former Olympic figure skater and self-professed America's Sweetheart Adam Rippon shares his underdog journey from beautiful mess to outrageous success in this hilarious, big-hearted memoir that the Washington Post calls "comedic gold."

Your mom probably told you it's what on the inside that counts. Well, then she was never a competitive figure skater. Olympic medalist Adam Rippon has been making it pretty for the judges even when, just below the surface, everything was an absolute mess. From traveling to practices on the Greyhound bus next to ex convicts to being so poor he could only afford to eat the free…


Book cover of Ice Castles

Alina Adams Author Of Figure Skating Mystery Series (5 Books in 1)

From my list on figure skating and it’s scandals.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a researcher, writer, and producer for ABC Sports, ESPN, NBC, and TNT, I first wrote two non-fiction books, Inside Figure Skating, and Sarah Hughes: Skating to the Stars (and this was before she won the Olympic Gold in 2002). With the Figure Skating Mystery series, I was finally able to tell all the juicy stories I couldn’t when I was working for television or writing non-fiction. It was very therapeutic. But I wasn’t just a writer of books about figure skating. I was a reader, too. I learned so much from the experts, especially those willing to admit how things really were, rather than how the sport would like to appear on the surface.

Alina's book list on figure skating and it’s scandals

Alina Adams Why did Alina love this book?

The novelization of the 1978 movie (remade in 2010) is howlingly hilarious. The author has no understanding of how skating works - either competitively or, you know, physics. That’s what makes it such compelling reading. Also, in the movie, the characters tend to mumble. It helps to have read the book first to have a vague clue of what they’re saying.

By Leonore Fleischer,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Ice Castles as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Vintage movie tie-in paperback


Book cover of Zero Tollerance: An Intimate Memoir by the Man Who Revolutionized Figure Skating

Ryan Stevens Author Of Jackson Haines: The Skating King

From my list on figure skating biographies you'll ever read.

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm a Canadian author and figure skating historian. I have written about the sport's fascinating past for over a decade. My innate curiosity about skating history dates back to the days of BETA tapes and card catalogs. Long before YouTube and social media, the only insights we often had about skater's stories were small nuggets of information passed on in television broadcasts and magazines. Figure skating biographies are a rare treat, allowing us to really get to know the people behind the skating performances we love. I'm absolutely delighted to share with you a skating biography of my own - the true story of The Father of Figure Skating - Jackson Haines. 

Ryan's book list on figure skating biographies you'll ever read

Ryan Stevens Why did Ryan love this book?

It was one of Toller Cranston's performances that first inspired me to take up figure skating.
There was something so bold, expressive, and larger than life about his performances. Those qualities are all front and center in his biography Zero Tollerance. Toller was never afraid to speak his mind, shake the tree or let the truth get in the way of a good story... and this biography is resplendent with great stories, heart, and humour.

By Toller Cranston,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Zero Tollerance as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Toller Cranston is: six-time Canadian figure-skating champion, celebrity, costume designer, artist extraordinaire, broadcaster, choreographer of skating routines, raconteur, bon vivant, coach, world traveller, art collector, legend, and enigma. In 1976 he won Olympic bronze (so why did it feel like defeat?). This book tells the story of his life after those fateful games at Innsbruck.

The rise and fall of Toller’s first professional ice show is described in soul-searing detail. His subsequent triumphant tour of Europe as the Skater of the Century is recounted, in contrast, with wicked humour. There are vignettes here of his encounters with the rich and…


Book cover of Skating Forward: Celebrating 10 Years of Figure Skating Stories

Judy Lipson Author Of Celebration of Sisters: It Is Never Too Late To Grieve

From my list on sibling loss, love, and hope.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been asked for decades to share my story. Who would want to hear my story? When we established the fund in memory of beloved sisters Margie and Jane, the doctor connected to the fund told me to write about my sisters so others would know them. After thirty years of suppressing my grief, writing became a venue to let the walls down and let my feelings out and be compassionate to myself and others in their grief no matter the time. Grief is a difficult subject and I hope in telling my story another individual will not be alone in their grief.

Judy's book list on sibling loss, love, and hope

Judy Lipson Why did Judy love this book?

2021 was a pivotal year for me. I turned sixty-five, my ice skating fundraiser Celebration of Sisters to honor my beloved sisters marked its tenth year, and my memoir was published. Skating is a sport my sisters and I shared and brought me full circle back to my sisters. Joanne and I met at an Adult Skating Camp in 2011. The Skating Forward series, tells stories of skaters of all levels from novice to Olympic Champions, all disciplines, all ages solidifying the meaning of figure skating in their lives. I am honored to be a participant in this milestone book due to the impact skating had on my life. On the ice I feel joy, peace, and each of my sisters on my shoulder as the breeze flows through my hair.

By Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Skating Forward as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Ten Years of Skating Forward. Come Celebrate with us as we reach a milestone. Visit with some old friends, and meet many new friends. All will be inspired by their very special stories as they keep skating forward.

“Just as we are the purveyors of the history of skating through movement, Joanne keeps that history through words. Over the last 10 years, she has compiled a treasure trove of literature detailing unique and incredible stories of skaters from an array of eras. This book is a love letter to the specialty of our sport and to the many years that…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in figure skating, the Olympics, and South Korea?

Figure Skating 18 books
The Olympics 37 books
South Korea 36 books