8 books that shaped the life of Olympic Games Primetime host Andi Petrillo
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 take place July 26-Aug. 11, 2024
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 are coming up on July 26-Aug. 11 and the Paralympic Games are taking place Aug. 28-Sept. 8.
To keep Canadians up to date on all the latest news, CBC Sports' Andi Petrillo is hosting Olympic Games Primetime in Paris. A veteran sports broadcaster, this is her sixth time hosting CBC coverage for the Olympics.
You can see a complete schedule of events here.
In 2018, CBC Books asked Petrillo to share some of the books that have shaped her life — here are her eight recommendations.
A Tiger for Malgudi by R.K. Narayan
"A Tiger for Malgudi by R.K. Narayan brought out so many emotions in me: love, anger, hatred and sadness. Narrated by a tiger, it shows how humans are in fact more brutish than a wild animal. Ever since reading this book, I've hated circuses," said Petrillo.
A Tiger for Malgudi by R.K. Narayan brought out so many emotions in me: love, anger, hatred and sadness.
"For me, the monk the tiger befriends and with whom he's able to live peacefully, achieves this friendship because he respects the tiger as an equal soul."
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
In Life of Pi, a cargo ship sinks leaving Pi Patel alone on a lifeboat with a wounded zebra, an orangutan and a tiger named Richard Parker. As the characters on the lifeboat whittle down to Pi and Richard Parker, the two learn to coexist for 227 lost at sea.
"I cried so hard at the end of Yann Martel's Life of Pi when the protagonist and the tiger separated, and I was also a watery mess when I watched the movie! I still have a difficult time putting into words why this book — and in particular the ending — deeply affects me," said Petrillo.
This book is about survival of the spirit. You don't always need to see something to believe in it.
"On the surface it appears simple, this is a book about survival. Surviving is what we do every day: we eat, drink water, get the sleep we need and seek shelter.
"But this book is about survival of the spirit. You don't always need to see something to believe in it."
The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh
"I caught myself laughing out loud many times reading The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh. This is one of my favourite satirical novels," said Petrillo.
The book tells the story of a British writer enters the strange and profit-driven world of American funeral homes and practices.
This is one of my favourite satirical novels.
"Instead of getting angry with the human pursuit of social status, this novel mocks it using humour by exaggerating our chase for it through how we depict ourselves even in death."
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared is a novel about Allan Karlsson, a man living in a nursing home who decides to escape on his 100th birthday and the adventures he has and people he meets along the way.
"This book is so funny but also very eye-opening. Before my grandfather passed away, he was in and out of the hospital. To many of the workers there, he was just an old man. But I knew he lived a life. He worked in the mines and saw his brother buried alive, he braved the open waters to go to a new land with new hope for his family, he saved his family from living in poverty and he loved with all his heart," said Petrillo.
This book is so funny but also very eye-opening.
"This book reminds you not to dismiss seniors. They were young once too and did crazy things... and as this book points out humourously, they still do!"
The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani
"This book made me proud to be first-generation Canadian," said Petrillo.
This book made me proud to be first-generation Canadian.
"I've heard countless stories from my parents and grandparents about the hardships of living in Italy and the challenges they faced once immigrating to Canada. This book highlights all of that, and also shows how hardworking and determined the characters were at creating a wonderful life in a new land that wasn't always accepting of them."
"Throw in an incredible love story, and your heart will swell with love and sadness for the plight of immigrants."
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
The Invention of Wings is the story of Hetty Grimke, an enslaved woman, and the daughter of the mistress of the house, Sarah Grimke, who is given ownership of Hetty on her eleventh birthday as a handmaid. It follows the journey of the two women as they grow up over 35 years and fight for lives of their own in a world of racism and gender norms.
"After visiting an old plantation in Charleston, South Carolina, I picked up this book and couldn't put it down," said Petrillo. "I recommend this book to all strong women who believe in fighting for what's right even when you're being told 'no' every step of the way."
Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman
Way of the Peaceful Warrior is a part-fictional part-autobiographical story world-champion athlete Dan Millan's rise to success while bringing in elements of magic and whimsy. On his journey, Dan is guided by an old warrior named Socrates and intrigued by a woman named Joy, until he ultimately must face a confrontation that will save or destroy him.
"I'm a firm believer that certain books come into your life when you need them," said Petrillo. "That was the case for me with this book. It was during a time when things were falling apart around me, but for some reason I picked up this book and decided I wanted to read. I love its message. I've read it multiple times.
"This book even inspired one of the tattoos I have."
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Three Cups of Tea is a nonfiction book about Greg Mortenson, a mountaineer who, after climbing K2, stumbled upon an impoverished mountain village and decided he would build them a school. Over the next years, he built fifty-five schools and encountered many people with differening views.
"This is a book that helped keep my hate of things I do not fully understand at bay. When I visited Afghanistan in 2010, many military personnel told me to read this book," said Petrillo. "It made me realize that those we consider to be enemies are in fact victims of the very forces we are fighting against to keep peace and preserve our very freedom in this world."
This is a book that helped keep my hate of things I do not fully understand at bay.
"Many of us assume people from certain countries must be part of the Taliban or ISIS. This book dispels that belief and presents the ultimate key to defeating ignorance: education."
Andi Petrillo's comments have been edited for length and clarity.
