From Gilmore Girls to You, we love a show that makes pop culture references, especially to books. And the plethora of books shown and referenced in Ted Lasso automatically makes it one of our favorite things about the show.
Whether it’s Coach Lasso assigning each player a hand-picked book or Coach Beard’s seemingly endless appetite for reading, some of the most memorable moments are related to literature.
Books From Ted Lasso, Season 1
Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success by John Wooden and Jay Carty
Coach Lasso has a poster of the Pyramid of Success on his wall, signed by John Wooden. So we think it’s safe to assume it’s pretty important to his character.
Additionally, it’s pretty important to Jason Sudeikis as well since he taught improv classes using the same book.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
When Coach Lasso gives every team member a book, this is the one he assigns to Roy. It may not be the expected choice, but Ted’s not a normal coach, now is he?
Roy: “I mean, what even is A Wrinkle In Time?”
Trent Crimm (The Independent): “It’s a lovely novel. It’s the story of a young girl’s struggle with the burden of leadership as she journeys through space.”
Ted: “Yeah. That’s it.”
Roy: “Am I supposed to be the little girl?”
Ted: “I’d like you to be.”
The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
This well-loved copy of The Dharma Bums is shown on Ted’s plane seat as he and Coach Beard are headed off to England.
This is a story of two men engaged in a passionate search for Dharma, or truth.
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
As Coach Beard and Coach Lasso walk home after coaching their first game, Beard says, “I hate losing.” To which Ted replies, “Bird by bird, coach.”
This is a reference to the writing book, Bird by Bird. The author shares an anecdote about her brother when they were younger. He had put off a months-long project about birds until the night before.
As he was overwhelmed, their father told him, “Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.”
The Beautiful and The Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Jamie’s book assignment from Coach Lasso?
The Beautiful and The Damned is a story of Anthony Patch, a socialite and heir to a fortune, and his relationship with his wife Gloria. The novel addresses a theme common to Fitzgerald’s work – the moral decline and directionless lethargy that consumed the American upper class.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender’s Game is Coach Lasso’s book assignment for Sam. Perhaps a message to not allow himself to be underestimated?
It could also relate to Sam’s reminder to Ted of the US’s imperialism in Nigeria.
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
While not directly referencing or showing the book, this is most definitely a reference to Fight Club.
Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
Ted exclaims, “What I can tell you, is that with the exception of the wit and wisdom of Calvin and Hobbes, not much lasts forever.”
The Iron Man by Ted Hughes
The team watches The Iron Giant, based on The Iron Man. Ted says to Beard, “Hey, do me a favor. Keep an eye on these guys, ’cause around the 74-minute mark, there’s gonna be a room full of grown men crying.” Beard replies, “I’ll be one of ’em.”
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
After Ted has a difficult conversation with Roy and Beard comes to over to comfort him, Ted says, “Coach, you are a natural-born caregiver. Life Chief from Cuckoo’s Nest.”
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming
One of the trick plays is called “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” a book that was later adapted into a musical film.
Other Books Referenced Or Shown In Ted Lasso, Season 1
- Coaching Soccer for Dummies and Inverting the Pyramid – both seen being read by Coach Beard on the plane.
- The Wizard of Oz – While sightseeing, Ted says he thinks they’re not in Kansas anymore.
- The Exorcist – One of the first things Ted says to the team is a literary reference. “We’re gonna call this drill The Exorcist, ’cause it’s all about controlling possession.”
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X
- The Ultimate Cockney Geezer’s Guide to Rhyming Slang
- Quiet Genius: Bob Paisley, British Football’s Greatest Manager
- Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
- Shoeless Joe – Ted makes a Field of Dreams reference, which was based on the book Shoeless Joe.
- The Arco Book of Soccer Techniques and Tactics
- Bridget Jones’s Diary – Ted mentions the book in his series of milk puns
Books From Ted Lasso, Season 2
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
The Fountainhead is Ted’s favorite book. It addresses questions through Rand’s portrayal of Howard Roark, an innovative architect who “struggles for the integrity of his creative work against every form of social opposition.”
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
This is Dr. Sharon’s favorite book and revolves around a former football player, his family, and his traumatic childhood.
The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
Roy is seen reading The DaVinci Code throughout the episode that Keeley is needing space from him.
The Greatest: The Quest for Sporting Perfection by Matthew Syed
Beard is reading this book when the team is stuck in a rut of ties. Matthew Syed, the ‘Sports Journalist of the Year 2016,’ writes this wide-ranging and provocative book about the mental game of sports.
Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby
After breaking their tie streak, the team is watching the film of their loss and Beard is reading Fever Pitch. Part autobiography, part comedy, part incisive analysis of insanity, Hornby’s award-winning memoir captures the fever pitch of fandom—its agony and ecstasy, its community, and its defining role in thousands of young men’s coming-of-age stories. Fever Pitch is one for the home team. But above all, it is one for everyone who knows what it really means to have a losing season.
About a Boy by Nick Hornby
While reading About a Boy, Coach Beard sees Nate being cruel to Colin.
Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake
While reading this book, Coach Beard witnesses Nate being mean to Will. In it, Merlin Sheldrake shows us the world from a fungal point of view, providing an exhilarating change of perspective.
Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest by Suzanne Simard
Coach Beard refers to this book to explain to Nate how trees in forests don’t compete with one another for light, but rather live in symbiosis.
Other Books Referenced Or Shown In Ted Lasso, Season 2
- A Wrinkle in Time – Sam is reading a worn copy (the same book Ted Gives Roy in season 1) when he gets the news that he helped get Cerithium Oil out of Nigeria.
- Football Against the Enemy by Simon Kuper
Books From Ted Lasso, Season 3
The Beckham Experiment: How the World’s Most Famous Athlete Tried to Conquer America by Grant Wahl
Coach Beard is seen holding Wahl’s book.
The Miracle of Castel di Sangro: A Tale of Passion and Folly in the Heart of Italy by Joe McGinniss
Regarded as one of the best sports books ever written, this is another book seen read by Coach Beard.
The Vortex Theory: A Bridge between Ancient Yoga and Modern Physics by David A. Ash
In the “Sunflowers” episode, Trent Crimm has this book on his tray table on the bus.
Friend of the Devil (The Bill Walton Mysteries Book 1) by James Kirkland
This is the book Will (the equipment manager) is seen reading as he pretends to be Coach Beard. Later on in the episode, Coach Beard is also seen holding the book.
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
Jade (Nathan’s girlfriend) is seen reading this book.
Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest by Suzanne Simard
Coach Beard is back at it again with his nature-inspired reads in Episode 10.
The Club: How the English Premier League Became the Wildest, Richest, Most Disruptive Force in Sports by Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg
Another football-related book to add to your reading list.
The Beautiful and The Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
In the final episode, we get another peak at Jamie’s book assignment from Coach Lasso.
The Beautiful and The Damned is a story of Anthony Patch, a socialite and heir to a fortune, and his relationship with his wife Gloria. The novel addresses a theme common to Fitzgerald’s work – the moral decline and directionless lethargy that consumed the American upper class.
How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan
As Ted heads back home, he’s seen holding this book on the plane.
You Matter by Dhiman
This book of affirmations about hope was seen on Dr. Sharon’s coach as she watched the AFC Richmond and West Ham game.
This is a wonderful list. Of books. Thank you for taking the time to compile it.
Absolutely! 🙂
Love it. I have been wanting the entire list! Here they are. Thank you
Yay! Enjoy 🙂
I’ve read a lot of them and a smiles crossed my face when the titles appear. Thanks to your list, I’ve found a few new ones to read! Thank you!
It’s finding sites like this that reaffirm your faith in humanity. Thank you!
Hi Ashley! Thanks for the list. I’ll be using it to compile my “Ted Lasso” Libguide for the library that I work at and I’ll reference this site! Appreciate your work!
Yes love it!
I love this so much; thank you for sharing.
I just noticed season 2 episode 8 shows Ted pick up this book while in Doc Sharon’s apartment after escorting her home from the hospita: “The Middle Passage: From Misery to Meaning in Midlife” by James Hollis.
Thanks so much! I’m using this to make my summer reading list.
Yay! Have fun 🙂
I know it’s a book geared toward young people, but what was Ted reading to his son in Season 3 Episode 8?
I believe it’s “The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Beast Beyond the Fence” by Marcus Rashford. I’ll add it to the list!
Thank you so much! Indeed this list ranks up there with Rory’s Reads from The Gilmore Girls!!!
Since you are an expert, I’m wondering if you can confirm something for me? Is Hugh Grant reading “Corelli’s Mandolin’ at the end of the movie Notting Hill?
Yes, I believe so!
Thank you for putting this together! While watching Ted Lasso, I could never read the titles of Coach Beard’s books.
No problem, enjoy!
So happy to have found this, and grateful for your sleuthing . Now I’m going to look at your curiosities site!
❤️❤️❤️
Amaizing list! Some really good catches in there.
Well THIS has made my day! Thank you. I either owned or worked in bookstores for 25 years, and not being able to read the titles on the books in the show was making me crazy. I hadn’t read The Fountainhead since the 60’s when I was in college, and just a week ago decided to reread it.
What fun to find out that it’s Ted’s favorite book!
Thank You so Much! Truly appreciated!
Thanks Ashley:
I am a big fan of Ted Lasso. After sesaon 1 I got the books I had not read and went through them. I was looking for a list of all seasons. I like this list.
Season 3. Coach beard was reading a little black book- Impermanence. I can’t seem to find any details
I’ve struggled with this one tremendously as well. I’ve concluded that I believe it’s not a real book!