Dallas Soonias shares 6 books he loves — from colourful comics to powerful memoirs
Talia Kliot | CBC Books | Posted: February 6, 2024 6:43 PM | Last Updated: February 6
Athlete and CBC Sports contributor Dallas Soonias has made his mark representing Canada as a volleyball player on the national team — and now he's representing Jessica John's Bad Cree on Canada Reads!
Throughout his adventures playing volleyball around the world, he turned to books to give him a taste of home and expand his knowledge, especially appreciating stories about sports and Indigenous history as well as graphic novels.
In the lead up to Canada Reads, which is airing March 4-7, Soonias sat down with CBC Books to share the books that keep him connected to his communities.
Scott Pilgrim series by Bryan Lee O'Malley
The Scott Pilgrim universe, which now includes a cult following, a film, video game and TV adaptation, first started with a series of six graphic novels following the titular character as he realizes his girlfriend has superpowers and all her supervillain exes are out to get him.
I'm not a fan of very much in life, but I'm a huge fan of Scott Pilgrim. - Dallas Soonias on Scott Pilgrim
When Soonias first saw the movie, he was absolutely taken with this world and these characters. "I saw the movie before I knew about the books," he said. "And as soon as that movie came on, I remember the opening credits are going and I'm sitting in my chair thinking, 'This is going to be the greatest movie I've ever seen.' And it was. Even watching the movie I realized this is a great book somewhere."
He soon devoured all the books and found that they helped him feel tethered to home when he was in Europe playing volleyball. Since Scott is from Ontario, "it's very much a Canadian story," he said. The universe became a comfort to Soonias, who often reread the books, rewatched the movie, listened to the soundtrack and even collected special edition copies.
"I'm not a fan of very much in life, but I'm a huge fan of Scott Pilgrim."
The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King
Another book that connected Soonias to home when he was playing overseas was The Inconvenient Indian, in which Thomas King reflects on what it means to be an "Indian" by examining the relationship between Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people throughout history.
After every chapter, I was so glad I read it and I was so hurt by it every time. - Dallas Soonias on The Inconvenient Indian
"He explains historical things through a modern lens and now and again there's humour, but there's so much hurt in the book. It's an interesting blend. After every chapter, I was so glad I read it and I was so hurt by it every time," Soonias said.
Red and Me by Bill Russell, with Alan Steinberg
An athlete himself, Soonias also has a penchant for sports books and a particular appreciation for those about basketball legend Bill Russell, who won 11 championships in 13 years for the Boston Celtics.
"The stuff this dude had to go through, not only to be like the best champion, but also the stuff he did off the court really made him, in terms of athletics, what to aspire to," said Soonias.
And though he's read many books about the star player, Red and Me, a memoir in which Russell looks back at his relationship with his mentor and coach, Red Auerbach, resonated the most.
The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons
In The Book of Basketball, sportswriter, podcaster and personality Bill Simmons shares his strong and passionate opinions about every basketball pro basketball debate under the sun.
I enjoyed that as a professional athlete — to see what the other half thinks looking at pros. - Dallas Soonias on The Book of Basketball
"It was interesting to learn about these super high level athletes from an everyday dude fanatic perspective," said Soonias. "So I enjoyed that as a professional athlete — to see what the other half thinks looking at pros."
Halfbreed by Maria Campbell
Soonias read Maria Campell's honest and classic memoir Halfbreed when he was in university. The book explores her experiences growing up in Northern Saskatchewan, her father the grandson of a Scottish business man and a Métis woman, her mother the daughter of a Cree woman and a French-American man.
I remember it being amazing and moving and it reminded me of what my mother had to go through. - Dallas Soonias on Halfbreed
"I remember it being amazing and moving and it reminded me of what my mother had to go through," said Soonias. "My mother is Anishinaabe and Maria Campbell is Métis, but to the public at large, it didn't matter. So it was nice to see what my mother had to deal with, I say back in the day, but not that long ago."
Berserk Series by Kentaro Miura
Berserk is a manga series that about Guts, a solo swordsman who attempts to take revenge on Griffith, the leader of a mercenary band, who betrayed him and sacrificed his friends.
"It's incredibly graphic and insane, but I've read every single one of them," said Soonias. "It's just brilliantly written and drawn."
Dallas Soonias' comments have been edited for length and clarity.