Books by Khalida Popal
“Khalida is a remarkable woman. She’s living in a society where women’s rights are virtually non-existent. She’s obviously very intelligent and has quite a progressive family. That seems to give her the bravery to be quite bolshy. She says in the book that she’s stubborn. She is very stubborn and when she gets it in her head that women should be playing football, she doesn’t give it up—even though everyone tells her it’s a terrible idea. Her family suffers, because she’s bringing them shame in the view of the society and the authorities around her, but she perseveres. If you want to read a book about battling against the odds, this is the book for you.” Read more...
The Best Sports Books of 2024: The William Hill Award
Alyson Rudd, Journalist
Interviews where books by Khalida Popal were recommended
Books With Strong Female Leads
In recent years, there has been a slew of novels retelling old myths and epics from the perspective of a female character, but books with strong female leads are nothing new. From classic fiction to memoirs, from fantasy to thrillers, literature is populated with female leads — both fictional and real — who are strong in different ways.
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1
The Racket
by Conor Niland -

2
These Heavy Black Bones
by Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell -

3
When I Passed the Statue of Liberty I Became Black
by Harry Edward -

4
Unique: A Memoir
by Kelly Holmes -

5
Munichs
by David Peace -

6
My Beautiful Sisters: A Story of Courage, Hope and the Afghan Women’s Football Team
by Khalida Popal
The Best Sports Books of 2024: The William Hill Award, recommended by Alyson Rudd
The Best Sports Books of 2024: The William Hill Award, recommended by Alyson Rudd
Good sports writing should appeal not only to fans but also to readers with no special connection to a sport, says Alyson Rudd, chair of the judging panel of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. She talks us through the six excellent books that made the 2024 shortlist, from life on the lower rungs of the tennis circuit to women’s football in Afghanistan.












