Bellerín Trades Holiday Clubs for Literary Retreat
Footballer’s Summer Reading List Features Global Voices
While many footballers unwind on sun-drenched beaches or dance in exclusive clubs, Spanish star **Héctor Bellerín** has embraced a different kind of summer escape. His social media feed paints a picture of a man immersed in literature, showcasing a diverse array of paperbacks that span continents and genres.
From Pitch to Page: A Literary Awakening
After a nine-year tenure at Arsenal and a return to his native Spain with Real Betis, **Bellerín** found a profound connection with the written word. This passion ignited during the challenging Covid-19 lockdowns, a period of uncertainty that saw him isolating at home. His initial foray into reading was spurred by the works of American author **Charles Bukowski**, whose gritty portrayals in novels like “Hollywood” and “Post Office” provided solace.
“I was miserable in quarantine,” **Bellerín** admitted. “I didn’t know when football was going to come back. I was even drinking a lot … I had a bit of a tough time. Literature, I’m not gonna say made me survive, but it made my life way easier.”
Expanding Horizons: Beyond the Football Bubble
Rejecting the notion that interests outside football are mere “distractions,” **Bellerín** has openly shared his eclectic tastes. His literary journey began with Bukowski, then progressed to the introspective novels of **Hermann Hesse**. However, a realization that he was primarily reading male authors prompted a conscious shift.
He actively sought out female voices, delving into works such as Han Kang’s “The Vegetarian” and Naomi Klein’s “Doppelganger.” His current reading pile also features celebrated Spanish and South American authors, including **Alana Portero**’s novels on queer life in 1980s Madrid, Juan Rulfo’s surrealist classic “Pedro Páramo,” and the evocative “Gypsy Ballads” by Federico García Lorca.
A Curated Literary Journey
According to culture writer **Sergio C Fanjul** of El País, **Bellerín**’s selections demonstrate a keen awareness of the contemporary publishing landscape. He is noted for championing critically acclaimed authors like **Portero**, Leila Guerriero, and Alejandro Zambra, signaling a reader who diverges from mainstream trends.
Currently on a training camp in Portugal, **Bellerín** is accompanied by essays from **Leslie Jamison**, Mary Karr’s “Art of Memoir,” and “Little Eyes” by **Samanta Schweblin**, a novel praised for its ingenuity.
His engagement with literature extends to a weekly writing group in Seville, where he connects with professionals from diverse fields. This collaborative environment fosters a dynamic exchange of recommendations, broadening his literary palate and appreciation for varied narrative styles.
While **Bellerín** has embraced a wide range of literary challenges, one work proved particularly demanding. He confessed to struggling with Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” in its original English, ultimately finding more accessibility in the Spanish translation, “Cumbres Borrascosas.”
This dedication to reading highlights a growing trend among athletes to engage with intellectual pursuits beyond their sport. In 2023, studies indicated that over 40% of young adults reported reading for pleasure at least once a week, a habit that can significantly impact cognitive well-being and critical thinking skills (Pew Research Center, 2022).
