6 books that inspired Paris Prime host Scott Russell
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 take place July 26-Aug. 11, 2024
Veteran sports broadcaster Scott Russell is hosting Paris Prime for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, which take place from July 26-Aug. 11, 2024.
You can see a complete schedule of events here.
In 2018, CBC Books asked Russell about the books he loves to read — in between cheering for Team Canada, of course.
Here are six books that inspired Russell's life and work.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
"The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a book we were made to read in high school and again in university," said Russell. "That said, it's a haunting narrative which has captured my imagination over the course of my adult life."
The novel follows writer Nick Carraway who becomes pulled into the circles of millionaire Jay Gatsby. The subject of much gossip and speculation, Gatsby seems oblivious, but as his dreams and passions are revealed, the consequences are tragic.
"Essentially, it's a story of hoping to belong and the fate of the ultimate outsider. It begins with the narrator learning a lesson from his father — a lesson I have always kept close to heart. 'Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone,' he told me, 'just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.'"
It's a haunting narrative which has captured my imagination over the course of my adult life.
"The book ends with an image of longing that has always fascinated me. 'Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter — tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther... And one fine morning — So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.'"
The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier
"I think I first came to The Hockey Sweater through its incarnation as a National Film Board film. Still, the vivid recreation of my youth as a hockey player who dreamed of great things struck a familiar chord. To know, through Roch Carrier's voice and words, that French Canadian children had their hockey heroes just as I did was enlightening," said Russell.
The Hockey Sweater returns to the days of Roch Carrier's childhood in Ste. Justine, Que. When he outgrows his Montreal Canadiens sweater featuring hockey legend Maurice Richard's number nine, his mother orders him a new one. But to his horror, he receives a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey instead and must figure out how to face his friends back at the rink.
The Hockey Sweater is so Canadian and made the national game seem important and central to our lives.
"The Hockey Sweater is so Canadian and made the national game seem important and central to our lives. 'Real battles were won on the skating-rink. Real strength appeared on the skating-rink. The real leaders showed themselves on the skating-rink.'"
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
"The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein is a whimsical story of Enzo, a dog who laments the fact that he is not human and whose tongue is too long for him to speak," said Russell. "Enzo narrates the story and gets us close to the trials and tribulations of his owner, a race car driver named Denny Swift. Enzo's death and reincarnation are both incredibly joyous and moving."
I dare the reader not to shed a few tears.
"I dare the reader not to shed a few tears: 'I turn my head, and there, before me, is my life. My childhood. My world.'"
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
"Very simply, this is the best biography I've ever read. It reveals the philosophy of one of the most important characters of our time," said Russell.
Very simply, this is the best biography I've ever read.
"Mandela was a freedom fighter and his belief in the strength of the human heart is irresistible. This is a big book but the story of Mandela's struggle is riveting and I couldn't put it down: 'Freedom is indivisible; the chains on any one of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me.'"
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
"I fancy myself a runner, as does the celebrated Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami. This memoir, which details his preparations for the New York City Marathon at a time when he is struggling with the onset of middle age, is something that I get," said Russell.
In long distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself, the way you used to be.
"It amounts to his discovery of why he runs and whether or not it really makes any difference to his life. As I plod along, having once agonizingly completed the Boston Marathon, I find myself asking the same sorts of questions and searching for similar answers. Murakami's philosophy makes a whole lot of sense to me and I bet it would to others as well: 'I'm at an ordinary — or perhaps more like mediocre — level. But that's not the point. The point is whether or not I improved over yesterday. In long distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself, the way you used to be.'"
The Chief Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny
"These are murder mysteries set in a small village in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. I started with Still Life and have read the first six in the series. I worked at CBC Montreal at the same time that Louise Penny did and so that familiarity with the author was the first point of connection," said Russell.
What I find so addictive about the series is the emotional tone to Penny's writing as well as the strength of her characters.
"What I find so addictive about the series is the emotional tone to Penny's writing as well as the strength of her characters. She also paints a vivid and attractive picture of life in the country with plenty of good food and warm nights by the fire, all the while surrounded by good friends."
Scott Russell's comments have been edited and condensed.
