This is the Front Street facade of the Peter White Public Library in Marquette. (Journal file photo)

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy reading, whether under a tree, by the lakeshore or on a sunny balcony. Books bring adventure, inspiration and endless possibilities to the season.

It’s also the season for outdoor activities, including sports. The baseball season is in full swing, and the NBA playoffs have reached their finals.

There is no better way to combine the summer season and sports than checking out some of the newest sports-related titles currently available at the Peter White Public Library.

“The Basketball 100: The Story of the Greatest Players in NBA History,” by David Aldridge and John Hollinger

“The Basketball 100,” penned by legendary NBA writers David Aldridge and John Hollinger, showcases the greatest players in league history. Ranked from No. 100 down to No. 1, this will surely spark debates amongst any basketball fans.

With a foreword written by NBA Hall of Famer and TV personality Charles Barkley and with an assist from The Athletic’s NBA staff, “The Basketball 100” is full of stories about your all-time favorite players.

From George Mikan to Michael Jordan and every superstar in between, you won’t want to miss “The Basketball 100”.

“Magic In The Air: The Myth, the Mystery, and the Soul of the Slam Dunk,” by Mike Sielski

For those interested in the evolution of the game of basketball, “Magic In The Air” is a can’t-miss title this summer.

Mike Sielski tells the tale of how the slam dunk revolutionized the sport with dozens of interviews from players, coaches and other experts. The slam dunk is an expression of culture, and this book explores that concept from the time of the maneuver being banned to the high-flying era of the 21st century.

Fans of Julius Erving and Michael Jordan alike will find plenty to love in this exciting book.

“The Last Manager: How Earl Weaver Tricked, Tormented and Reinvented Baseball,” by John W. Weaver

Veteran fans of America’s pastime will certainly be familiar with the name Earl Weaver, but this new book by John W. Weaver — no relation — takes a deep dive into the career of the Hall of Fame manager. Best known for helming the Baltimore Orioles for 17 seasons, the fiery Weaver led his team to a World Series win in 1970.

“The Last Manager” shows how the famed Orioles skipper modernized the art of baseball management with the use of radar guns, an emphasis on defense and implementing analytical data.

Anyone interested in the history of baseball will surely enjoy “The Last Manager.”

“The Fast Track: Inside the Surging Business of Women’s Sports,” by Jane McManus

Longtime writer Jane McManus has spent years covering women’s sports and brings that expertise to bear in “The Fast Track.” This work challenges the notion that “No one cares about women’s sports.”

McManus explores the history of women in sports from the early 1970s when Title IX became federal law to the 2024 women’s NCAA basketball finals headlined by Caitlin Clark.

Amidst surging ratings and sponsorships, “The Fast Track” is an essential snapshot of the current industry of women’s sports.

— Benjamin Sargent, Technical Services Assistant