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Kobe Bryant's Reading List

NBA legend, author of The Mamba Mentality. Books reflect favorites from interviews and social media that the LA Public Library compiled.

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Kobe Bryant's Favorite Books (LA Public Library)

List compiled by an LA Public Library librarian from old interviews and social media posts; reported by Kirkus Reviews and NBC LA.

Source: www.kirkusreviews.com

Cover of The Alchemist
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho · 1988 · Buy on Amazon
"Its themes of pursuing one's destiny and overcoming obstacles align with Kobe Bryant's Mamba Mentality philosophy of relentless self-improvement and achieving greatness. This tale of personal legend fits an athlete known for his intense drive and focus."
Cover of Children of Blood and Bone
Children of Blood and Bone
Tomi Adeyemi · 2018 · Buy on Amazon
"This fantasy epic about a young woman fighting for justice and power aligns with Kobe Bryant's Mamba Mentality, reflecting themes of resilience and overcoming adversity."
Cover of Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Richard Bach · 1970 · Buy on Amazon
"This fable about a seagull striving for perfection beyond the ordinary aligns with Kobe Bryant's Mamba Mentality, emphasizing relentless self-improvement and pushing boundaries."
Cover of The Silver Linings Playbook
The Silver Linings Playbook
Matthew Quick · 2008 · Buy on Amazon
"This story of resilience and finding strength after setbacks aligns with Kobe Bryant's Mamba Mentality, a philosophy centered on continuous self-improvement and overcoming adversity."
Cover of Sunny
Sunny
Jason Reynolds · 2018 · Buy on Amazon
"This novel about a young runner finding his rhythm after tragedy fits Kobe Bryant's interest in the mental fortitude and resilience of athletes. It aligns with the themes of overcoming adversity explored in his own work."
Cover of Shoe Dog
Shoe Dog
Phil Knight · 2016 · Buy on Amazon
"The story of building a global brand from the ground up, facing challenges with relentless drive, aligns with Kobe Bryant's Mamba Mentality and his own entrepreneurial spirit. It's an expected read for someone exploring the mindset behind peak performance and legacy."
Cover of The Tipping Point
The Tipping Point
Malcolm Gladwell · 2000 · Buy on Amazon
"Gladwell's exploration of how small changes create massive impact aligns with Kobe Bryant's Mamba Mentality, a philosophy emphasizing continuous improvement and the power of incremental gains. It's an expected read for someone exploring the psychology behind peak performance."
Cover of Team of Rivals
Team of Rivals
Doris Kearns Goodwin · 2005 · Buy on Amazon
"Goodwin's study of Lincoln's leadership and strategic thinking aligns with Kobe Bryant's focus on competitive excellence and mental fortitude, as explored in his own writings."

Favorite books (2021)

Favorite books recommended by Kobe Bryant, as compiled by radicalreads.com. Source article: https://radicalreads.com/kobe-bryant-favorite-books/.

Source: radicalreads.com

Black Leopard, Red Wolf
Marlon James · Buy on Amazon
"I am a big fan of epic fantasy series and the world-building by James is excellent. It’s immersive and makes for a powerful story."
Range
David Epstein · Buy on Amazon
"This book looks at how an emphasis on specialization can actually hamper our ability to really excel at something. It aligns with what I try to do when I am coaching, in my stories, and what we’re doing with Mamba Sports Academy — create all-around athletes who can think critically and make assessments in real time to enhance their play rather than rely only on a narrow set of skills."
Monday’s Not Coming
Tiffany D. Jackson · Buy on Amazon
"Jackson’s book is a great study in how to build character, the strength and importance of friendship, and excellent writing. It’s tense like a horror story and yet very real and utterly compelling."
Leadership: In Turbulent Times
Doris Kearns Goodwin · Buy on Amazon
"I loved Team of Rivals , and Leadership really built on the things I had taken away from that book. Moving from basketball to building a company, I needed to learn new and different leadership skills, and Goodwin outlines the different skill-sets of Lincoln, both Roosevelts, and Lyndon Johnson, accessibly."

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