4 books that inspired Olympic Morning host Anastasia Bucsis
The Olympics take place July 26-Aug. 11, 2024 and the Paralympic Games are taking place Aug. 28-Sept. 8
The 2024 Paris Olympics are coming up on July 26-Aug. 11 and the Paralympic Games are taking place Aug. 28-Sept. 8.
Two-time Olympic speed skater and CBC Sports broadcaster Anastasia Bucsis is bringing Canadians news daily from Paris as the host of Olympic Morning. Having already covered the Olympics four times for CBC, this year marks her first stint as a host.
Ahead of the Games, she wrote to CBC Books with four books that shaped her.
You can see a complete schedule of Olympic events here.
Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi
Open, the autobiography of American tennis player Andre Agassi, is the best sports autobiography Bucsis has ever read, she told CBC Books.
"Andre's ability to describe his relationship — the good and bad — with tennis really reflected a lot of the emotions that I experienced when competing at and training for the Olympic Games," she said.
I still find new lessons with every new read.
"He describes the relationship (and obsession) between sport and athlete in a way that few have been able to put words to. The book grabbed my attention from the first paragraphs and although I've read it probably 10 times over (and have found myself in a lower tax bracket from lending it out so many times to friends that haven't returned it — ha!) I still find new lessons with every new read.
"Even if you're not into tennis or sport, Andre Agassi has led an incredibly interesting life and it's a book I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys a good raw, and vulnerable autobiography."
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
"This is just bubblegum for the brain. Who doesn't love old Hollywood and a lesbian romance that spans decades between two stars? Priceless," said Bucsis.
When aging Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell her life story, she enlists unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant. Monique is confused but determined to use this chance to make waves in the journalism world. As Monique learns about Evelyn's life — from her journey to Los Angeles in the 1950s and her choice to leave the spotlight in the 80s — she begins to feel more connected to the actress. But the more Evelyn reveals, it becomes clear that Monique was chosen for this task for a sombre reason.
"Like so many queer kids growing up, I saw so little representation of 2SLGBTQ+ characters that this book just felt like it was written for me. The world that Taylor Jenkins Reid creates feels as though there's a lot of truth in this fictional story. It also offers reflection of how many folks never had the privilege of coming out of the closet and living authentically.
This book just felt like it was written for me.
"I'm not sure if it made me any smarter — again, it's a bubblegum novel — but I can say it's an absolute page-turner and offers the joy of escaping your daily routine. It was the last book that I truly found myself struggling to put down, and read it within a day and a half. I then made my wife read it, as well as my mom. Great stocking stuffer."
Gods like Us: On Movie Stardom and Modern Fame by Ty Burr
"As I mentioned, I'm a big fan of Old Hollywood and the history of pop culture," said Bucsis. "This book looks at pop culture history and dives a few layers deeper into why certain people catapulted to fame at specific times in modern history."
This book looks at pop culture history and dives a few layers deeper into why certain people catapulted to fame at specific times in modern history.
"Aside from just being interested in the general space, it was an interesting look at the last 120 years while discussing pop culture from a more academic lens without feeling like a university textbook. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the book has made me look smart more than a few times while playing trivia down at the pub."
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
"I've read countless sports psychology/self-help books and this one always stands out to me because it is so relevant to all areas of life," said Bucsis.
Ultimately, it helped me define success on my own terms.
"What stands in the way becomes the way. It's a lesson that I've taken into my career now in broadcasting, as it's such a strong reminder to surrender to things that are outside of our control, while focusing on the things that are in it.
"Ultimately, it helped me define success on my own terms: living your values regardless of the path forward, and that success does not bring about happiness, but rather happiness brings success. Enjoy the journey!"
