Swimming Studies

Swimming Studies is a memoir that chronicles Leanne Shapton's experiences as a competitive swimmer in her youth and her ongoing relationship with swimming as an adult. The book combines text, photographs, illustrations, and watercolor paintings to document the author's memories and observations. The narrative moves between Shapton's teenage years training for the Olympic trials in Canada and her present-day life as an artist and writer in New York. Through detailed accounts of early morning practices, competitions, and the physical sensations of moving through water, the book captures the rhythms and rituals of athletic training. Beyond swimming pools and race times, Shapton examines the ways her athletic past influences her creative work and daily routines. Her observations extend to the habits, collections, and patterns that structure her life outside the water. The memoir explores themes of discipline, memory, and identity - questioning how formative experiences continue to shape a person long after they've moved on to different pursuits. Through its experimental format and precise observations, the book reveals the lasting imprint of athletic training on body and mind.

Readers describe Swimming Studies as a meditation on competitive swimming and identity, told through memories, illustrations, and photographs. The book resonates with former swimmers who relate to Shapton's portrayal of the sport's routines and sensory details. Readers appreciated: - Precise descriptions of swimming sensations and pool environments - Original format mixing text with visual elements - Reflection on how athletic training shapes personality - Details about Olympic training lifestyle Common criticisms: - Loose narrative structure feels disconnected - Too much focus on swimming minutiae for non-swimmers - Writing style can be cold and distant - Some found the art/photos unnecessary Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings) "Like being inside a swimmer's head" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful concept but execution drags" - Amazon reviewer "Only swimmers will truly get this book" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🏊‍♀️ Leanne Shapton trained for the Olympic trials in swimming during her teenage years in Canada, competing at the national level before turning to art and writing 📚 The book won the 2012 National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography 🎨 Shapton illustrated the book herself with original watercolor paintings, including 14 portraits of swimming pools she remembers from her competitive years 👙 The author includes detailed descriptions of her collection of bathing suits, connecting each one to specific memories and periods in her life 🌊 The book explores not just competitive swimming, but the sensation of water itself - Shapton describes the distinct smell and feel of different pools around the world, from Toronto to Iceland