The best sports books of 2025, from Jimmy Anderson’s autobiography to football in the 1980s

Sometimes the best moments in sports aren’t just played out on the field, they’re also live forever on pages.

For all the readers out there, 2025 happens to have been an incredible year for sports books, offering everything from intimate athlete memoirs to team-based deep dives.

Amazon Audible deal, £0.99pcm for the first 3 months

Here at talkSPORT Shopping, we’re big fans of sports-related reading, so to close out the year, we’ve compiled a list of the best sports books of 2025 that you can’t afford to miss.

With everything from football to cricket, and autobiography to investigative journalism, we’ve compiled our top reading hits of 2025 below.

If none of our choices take your fancy, be sure to explore Amazon’s Audible selection as there’s a special offer where it’s priced from just 99p per month for the first 3 months.

Best sports books of 2025 at a glance

• Best sports books for football fans: Go to War: Football on the Brink in the ’80s
• Best sports book for cricket fans: Jimmy Anderson: Finding the Edge
• Best sports book for tennis fans: Searching for Novak
• Best sports book for basketball fans: On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports

Best sports books of 2025

Go To War: Football on the Brink in the ’80s

Go to War: Football on the Brink in the ’80s, from £19

Written by Jon Spurling, Go to War: Football on the Brink in the ’80s tells the story of how triumph and tragedy shaped English football in the 1980s.

Following the story of the ’80s most-successful English teams such as Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal, this book delves into the stories behind the clubs, and how the ‘slum sport’ imploded into a giant.

Drawing heavily on interviews conducted with ’80s icons, this book provides unique insights into one of the most pivotal footballing decades to date.

Jimmy Anderson: Finding the Edge

Jimmy Anderson: Finding the Edge, from £5.99

A must-read for cricket fans, Jimmy Anderson: Finding the Edge is an autobiography written by the greatest fast bowler England ever produced.

Shortlisted for a number of notable awards, Finding the Edge spans the entirety of Anderson’s 21-year career and 704 test wickets.

From growing up in Burnley to being part of England’s deadliest Attack, this book follows all the trials and tribulations Jimmy Anderson faced throughout his career.

Told with the player’s classic humility and dry humour, this is a top pick for any England cricket fans.

Sir Chris Hoy: All That Matters

Sir Chris Hoy: All That Matters, from £5.99

As a two-time Sunday Times bestseller and winner of the Autobiography of the Year at the Sports Book Awards 2025, Sir Chris Hoy: All That Matters is an autobiography well worth your time.

An uplifting and positive read, this book follows six-time Olympic gold medalist Chris Hoy, as he shares the next phase of his incredible story after finding out his stage 4 cancer diagnosis.

Chris recounts some of his toughest moments to date in what readers are calling a ‘throat-catching love letter’ to his family.

Honest and inspirational, readers looking for a positive read should undoubtedly check this book out.

How to Win the Premier League

How to Win the Premier League, from £4.99

Between 2012 and 2023, author of How to Win the Premier League, Ian Graham, worked as Liverpool FC‘s Director of Research.

In this book, Graham reveals some of the fascinating and pivotal data that informed some of the decisions that led to Liverpool winning its first league title in three decades under Jurgen Klopp.

Data-driven and witty, this book offers incredible insights into modern football.

Sir Kenny Dalglish described the book as “Fascinating and educational. An enjoyable and informative read,” with The Times and Sunday Times naming it as their book of the year in 2024.

Searching for Novak

Searching for Novak, from £10.44

Go behind the scenes for a private look into one of the greatest tennis players of all time in Searching for Novak.

Written by Mark Hodgkinson, Searching for Novak explores Novak Djokovic‘s relentless pursuit for perfection as he goes on to win the most Grand Slam singles titles of any player alive.

From hiding during the bombing of Belgrade in 1999 to winning Olympic gold in the 2024 Paris games, this book leaves no stone unturned.

Winner of Charles Tyrwhitt‘s Sports Book of the Year, this title makes the ideal read for tennis fans from around the world.

The Formula

The Formula, £10.44

Explore how F1 became the world’s fastest-growing sport in The Formula.

Written by Wall Street Journal reporters Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg, The Formula explores how F1 has garnered itself global fandom over the last few years, with more eyes than ever watching the sport.

This title brings unique access and insight into the stars, teams and personalities of the sport, showcasing all the glitz, glamour, feuds and drama all in one place.

A New York Times Bestseller, The Formula goes beyond the cars, drivers and deals to underpin the financial empire behind it all.

Freddie Flintoff: Coming Home

Freddie Flintoff: Coming Home, £20.90

An honest reflection on a unique life, Freddie Flintoff‘s autobiography Coming Home tells the story of one of cricket’s most influential faces.

Following Flintoff’s journey, this book presents firsthand accounts of Fred’s early days in Preston, his retirement, his Top Gear horror crash, and beyond.

Throughout the pages, Freddie recounts incredible feats at the Ashes, facing his rivals, run-ins with the media, and much more.

Delivered with humour and honesty, this book offers a never-before-seen look into the life behind one of English cricket‘s most revered stars.

On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports

On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports, from £0.99p

Written by Christine Brennan, On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports draws an incredible portrait of Caitlin Clark.

With record-breaking attendances and TV ratings, basketball superstar Caitlin Clark has changed how fans view women’s sports across America.

On Her Game goes behind the scenes, drawing on interviews, backstage reporting, and other sources to craft a book that narrates Clark’s rise and the subsequent effect on women’s sports.

Perfect for basketball fans and women’s sports fans alike, On Her Game is an inspirational read that’s well worth your time.

States of Play

States of Play, £12.34

Written by Miguel Delaney, States of Play is a winner of the Football Book of the Year Award, and poses the question of who really owns and runs football?

Investigating allegations of sportswashing and misconduct, Delaney details how football has been taken over by the world’s wealthiest businessmen, oligarchs and beyond.

Unbiased and eye-opening, no topic is safe from the investigative eye of Delaney, as he draws on exclusive interviews and access to write an exposé of the beautiful game.

Fully updated to cover Saudi Arabia’s 2024 World Cup bid, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand how modern football operates.

For more sports, health and fitness deals and buying guides, check out our dedicated talkSPORT shopping hub.