Laila Ali is sharing the reading list that shaped her mindset.
The retired professional boxer, 47, said that she gravitates toward books that help her grow across parenting, health, wellness, business and mindset. Ali, whose new picture book autobiography “A Spark of Greatness” is out now, said a book earns its place on her shelf when she comes “away feeling like I’m a better person for having read it.”
Her favorite reading spot is equally deliberate. “There’s nothing better than curling up on the couch with a warm cup of coffee and getting lost in a great book,” the author told the outlet.
Among her recommendations, Ali singled out a title on hormones and nutrition as essential reading for women. “This is hands-down one of those books I think every woman should read,” she wrote. “It helped anchor me on my fasting journey, but what I appreciate most is how it explains the connection between hormones, nutrition, and overall health in a way that’s practical and empowering.”
She also praised a book on body function for reinforcing her existing healthy choices. “This is the kind of book that holds you accountable because you can’t unknow what you’ve learned,” Ali shared. “It offers a straightforward explanation of how the body works on our behalf every single day and reinforced many of the healthy choices I was already making by giving me a deeper understanding of why they matter.”
A classic novel she first encountered as a teenager remains in her rotation decades later. “I first read this book when I was 16, and it’s still one of my all-time favorites,” Ali said. “I was captivated by the main character’s courage to step outside of what was expected of her and embrace adventure while discovering who she really was. I actually plan to read it again soon to see how differently I experience the story at this stage of my life.”
On the parenting front, Ali recommended a book that reshaped her approach to her children’s emotional needs. “Every parent should read this book,” she stated. “It reminded me that even though my children are being raised in the same home, they each have different emotional needs and don’t always receive love in the same way. As a mom, it encouraged me to be more intentional about understanding what makes each of them feel seen, valued, and supported.”
A sports memoir also made her list for its broader life applications. “Don’t let the title fool you—this book is about so much more than tennis,” Ali noted. “It’s one of the best books I’ve read on quieting self-doubt, trusting yourself, and getting out of your own way. The lessons apply to sports, business, and life, and they’re just as relevant today as when I first read it.”
For goal-setting, she turns to a productivity framework that breaks ambitions into manageable chunks. “This book changed the way I think about productivity and achieving big goals,” Ali explained. “I haven’t mastered putting its principles into practice yet, but I come back to it because the message is so powerful. It’s a great reminder that meaningful progress comes from staying focused on the next 12 weeks instead of getting overwhelmed by the entire year.”
Ali’s own book, “A Spark of Greatness,” illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera, traces her path from growing up as Muhammad Ali’s daughter to becoming an undefeated fighter herself. The picture book autobiography is currently on sale.