Kobe Bryant, often regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, was renowned for his scoring ability, tenacious work ethic, and competitive nature. Born in 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kobe spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA, where he won five championships and was an 18-time All-Star. Beyond his achievements on the court, Kobe was also known for his intellectual curiosity and artistic interests, which included film making and writing. His short film, "Dear Basketball," won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film, showcasing his creative talents beyond basketball.
❝Reading the game will make you a good player. Understanding what you are reading will make you a great player, but if you can write the game that others read, you become a champion.❞ — Kobe Bryant
Kobe's interest in reading was well-documented and integral to his approach to personal and professional growth. He was known for reading a wide range of material, from classic literature and histories to modern self-help and sports psychology books. This fondness for reading was part of his broader commitment to what he called the "Mamba Mentality," a philosophy of continuous learning, relentless improvement, and the pursuit of excellence. Kobe believed that reading allowed him to gain insights into other cultures, philosophies, and strategies, enhancing his understanding of the world and providing mental models that he applied both on and off the court.
Kobe Bryant's Favorite Books
Last Updated: June 2024
The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Publisher: HarperOne
Date: Apr 15th, 2014
Paulo Coelho's philosophical book tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried near the Pyramids, learning about the wisdom of listening to his heart and following his dreams.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
Author: Phil Knight
Publisher: Scribner
Date: Apr 26th, 2016
This memoir provides an insider's glimpse into the founding and building of Nike, as Phil Knight recounts his journey from selling shoes out of his car trunk to running one of the most iconic and profitable global shoe brands.
Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Date: Mar 6th, 2018
Set in a magical version of West Africa, this fantasy novel follows young Zélie Adebola as she undertakes a quest to bring magic back to her people, the Maji, and confronts a ruthless monarchy determined to suppress her kind.
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't
Author: Jim Collins
Publisher: HarperAudio
Date: Jul 13th, 2010
Collins analyzes what makes companies transition from being good to great, identifying key characteristics such as leadership, culture, and strategic focus that have allowed them to sustain remarkable success.
Leadership: In Turbulent Times
Author: Doris Kearns Goodwin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: Sep 18th, 2018
Doris Kearns Goodwin explores the leadership qualities of four U.S. presidents—Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson—during moments of national crisis, highlighting how their distinct backgrounds and experiences shaped their responses to the challenges they faced.
A Clash of Kings
Author: George R. R. Martin
Publisher: Bantam
Date: Feb 2nd, 1999
The second book in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series continues the saga of competing dynasties in a war-torn land, with kings clashing over the right to the Iron Throne, introducing more complexity and magical elements into the epic story.
The Silver Linings Playbook: A Novel
Author: Matthew Quick
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Date: Sep 2nd, 2008
This heartwarming and humorous novel follows Pat Peoples, a man recovering from a mental breakdown, as he attempts to rebuild his life, reconcile with his estranged wife, and navigate a complex relationship with the enigmatic Tiffany, all while maintaining his belief in finding silver linings in life's challenges.
A Feast for Crows
Author: George R. R. Martin
Publisher: Bantam
Date: Nov 8th, 2005
The fourth book in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series sees the kingdoms of Westeros fracturing further in the aftermath of a brutal war, as characters navigate a complex web of political and personal intrigue.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Author: Richard Bach
Publisher: Macmillan
Date: Sep 1st, 1970
This fable follows a seagull named Jonathan Livingston who is bored with the daily squabbles over food and discovers a higher purpose in life, devoting himself to learning about flight and self-perfection, ultimately reaching a spiritual enlightenment.
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Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable
Author: Tim S. Grover
Publisher: Scribner
Date: Apr 16th, 2013
Grover, a renowned trainer of elite athletes, distills the mindset and principles that enable superstars in sports and other fields to achieve the highest levels of performance, advocating a relentless pursuit of excellence through mental toughness and the refusal to settle for anything less than success.
A Storm of Swords
Author: George R. R. Martin
Publisher: Bantam
Date: Oct 31st, 2000
The third book in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series is marked by brutal betrayals and surprising alliances, featuring pivotal events like the Red Wedding and the death of key characters as the battle for control of Westeros intensifies.
A Dance with Dragons
Author: George R. R. Martin
Publisher: Bantam
Date: Jul 12th, 2011
The fifth book in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series follows the entwined stories of several characters in a civil war for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, with Daenerys Targaryen, now ruling as queen in a foreign land, facing new threats.
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A Game of Thrones
Author: George R. R. Martin
Publisher: Bantam
Date: Aug 1st, 1996
The first book in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series introduces a medieval fantasy world of intrigue and treachery, where noble families vie for control of the Iron Throne, setting the stage for a complex and sprawling epic.
Black Leopard, Red Wolf
Author: Marlon James
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Date: Feb 5th, 2019
This first novel in Marlon James’s Dark Star Trilogy follows a mercenary named Tracker, known for his skills as a hunter, who is hired to find a mysterious missing boy against a backdrop of fantastical creatures and ancient cities in a mythical version of Africa.
Sunny
Author: Jason Reynolds
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Date: Mar 26th, 2019
The third book in Reynolds' "Track" series focuses on Sunny, the fastest sprinter on his middle school track team, who grapples with family expectations and finds his true passion, shifting from running to dance as a way to cope with his mother’s death and connect with his emotions.
Tuff Juice: My Journey from the Streets to the NBA
Author: Caron Butler
Publisher: Lyons Press
Date: Sep 24th, 2015
This autobiography details Butler's remarkable journey from a troubled childhood and early run-ins with the law to achieving his dreams of playing in the NBA, focusing on themes of perseverance, redemption, and transformation.
Thirty Rooms to Hide In: Insanity, Addiction, and Rock 'n' Roll in the Shadow of the Mayo Clinic
Author: Luke Longstreet Sullivan
Publisher: Univ Of Minnesota Press
Date: Aug 31st, 2012
Sullivan recounts his unusual childhood growing up with five brothers in a house full of chaos and darkness, under the shadow of his father’s successful career at the Mayo Clinic and his battle with alcoholism.
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Author: Doris Kearns Goodwin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: Oct 25th, 2005
This biography details Abraham Lincoln’s political acumen, revealed through his ability to co-opt his rivals into his cabinet and unite them in a strong team that led the nation during its most perilous period of the Civil War.