All the Sundays Yet to Come: A Skater's Journey

I discovered Kathryn Bertine's writing in 2007 when she began writing for ESPN about her attempts to make it to the Olympics. I found her writing both funny and well done, and kept coming back on an almost daily trip to check to see what else was going on. Fast forward a year, and I finally ordered her book, and I feel it gives a deep glimpse into the personality of the writer those familar with the ESPN work ought to know. The desire to make the Olympics harkens back to her desire not to quit in her dreams of skating professionally. Now, as a male who is not a skating fan, I was skeptical that I would enjoy this book. I was drawn to her work originally because I love cycling, and she spoke of that with excellent skill. But Bertine makes the sport simple to understand, and doesn't get stuck on the details. I found her relationship with both parents to be excellent, and her descriptions of her body image to be tragic. All in all, this book is an amazing coming of age tale, and I would recommend it to anyone who has body image issues, any athlete (especially ladies), and to all those who might have had a difficult childhood or have undergone a difficult period in their own life in which they felt alone. An excellent book, and well worth the time!

I'm in the middle of this book and couldn't wait to write a review about it. Ms. Bertine's story of the life of professional skating on tour is quite interesting! Plus her humor is great. A great book and highly recommended.

I heard of this book called All the Sundays Yet to Come written by a figure skater about her skating experiences. From what little I heard, I assumed a middle-aged skater wrote about her experiences as an adult skater. Quite the contrary. This eye-opening memoir accurately depicts life as a figure skater right down to the snot flying out of the nose. Yet that is only where Kathryn Bertine's story begins. Humor and honesty just begin to describe the details Kathryn shares of her life--not just the figure skating-related parts, but also her figure skating dream that not only unraveled, but was turned inside out. She shares challenges faced by many, as well as personal struggles that are often left untold. All the Sundays Yet to Come is not just another figure skating book, but rather a story filled with life lessons and a journey--what a little girl wanted to be, to the woman she became as a result of her life experiences. It takes guts to write with such honesty and that makes her story all the more interesting. There is something for everyone in this book and I highly recommend it!

I began skating at the age of nine. It was then that I was introduced to a different world. Aside from the sparkle and glitter of competition, there is intense training. I have been a skater for almost a decade now, and as I begin my search for colleges and look towards the future, "All the Sunday's Yet to Come" is becoming a larger part of my life. When I first read the book I thought "Wow this book really captures our world." However, upon a 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th reading, I have come to truly appreciate Kathryn's work. I have quoted this novel in many college essays in hopes of convaying what skating means to me. I think Kathryn says it best in her novel: "Figure skating was my escape, the physical and psychologial place I could go when I needed the embrace of acceptance and the comfort of something larger" I have been lucky to find a skating, my niche in the athletic field. But I have been even more lucky to have found this book. A truly inspiring story, that uses the honesty of a skater and the beauty of language to help open our world to outsiders. Unless you have lived it, it is hard to express what an open sheet of ice represents. An unofficial contract is signed between a skater and the ice; we give ourselves wholly and unconditionally to the ice, and in return, it will turn us into the best skaters and people we can possibly become. It is there for the memories of maturing skater, sharing them like a silent sister. Kathryn's novel gives a voice to our sister, through her describtion of a skater's passion and dedication. Her book is by far one of my most treasured posessions.

I just wanted to say that I loved this book. Kate is an awesome person and a great coach (I know first-hand, she coached me when I was really young!). Not only is she great on the ice, but she proves her self as a valid author through her book. This book very accurately portrays how the life of a skater is. People think that anorexia is for the weak-minded, but in reality it can strike anyone. Athletes are not weak-minded at all. The book does a good job showing the pressures of sport and family and the toll these pressures can take on one's mind and body. It's a great book to read, even if you dont know much about figure skating!