Have you read any good books lately?

You may have said the phrase to someone, as it was a conversation starter back in the day. The phrase has its origins dated back to the early 1900s.

Like it has for many decades, reading sports-related books is still a popular option, especially since we are in the holiday time and mood.

For me, I remember reading paperbacks in middle and high school, several of those that I ordered via those booking ordering handouts we would receive every few months. Then we would wait until the moment the box arrived in our classroom, and you anxiously await the teacher to hand you the box.

I still can recall the moments along with the ones with the seeds we would order for our families to win prizes. But, that’s a different story.

In this version of the Yesterday column — reminiscing about sports and pop culture from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and sometimes before and beyond — I will look at some sports’ books we may have read growing up as well as how the word “book” has emerged in our lives through pop culture.

And what former Phillie and Eagle had their career “bookered” in Philly for a brief time?

The Eyebrow Raisers ... Sometimes, sports novels weren’t all about feel-good stories and statistics. Here is a list of novels that were deemed controversial in their day.

• Ball Four (1970) - Ex-Yankee Jim Bouton’s picture of baseball’s social life of off-the-field realities and locker-room culture that challenge the game’s perceived wholesome nature. He was attempting a comeback with the then Seattle Pilots.

• North Dallas Forty (1973) - Written by former Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver and tight end Peter Gent, this novel was another eye-opener of pro football, offering a harsh, clear look on pain, drug use, and exploitation within the sport. Gent was with the Cowboys from 1964-68.

• Bang the Drum Slowly (1956, first edition) - It was a good fictional piece that depicted a Yankees catcher who is slowly dying of Hodgkin’s disease, and his relationship with a teammate. You may have seen the film version of it in 1973 with then unknown Robert DeNiro and also Michael Moriarity.

• A Season on the Brink: A year with Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers (1987) - This highlighted the 1985-86 season when Knight attempted to lead a miraculous recovery from 1984-85 when Indiana finished under .500 for the first time in 14 years. Knight is depicted as a dictator who can raise his players to a new level.

Keeping It Simple ... Aside from the contentious novels, some of the more conventional ones you may have read are:

• Loose Balls (1990) - This book is one of my favorites. It’s a great account of the ABA through the years.

• Rocking Steady (1974) - This was a paperback that I ordered through school, and it detailed the Knicks’ Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s career.

• Wilt Chamberlain (1970) - It was a hardback in a classic plastic cover and, of course, focused on Wilt.

• Boys of Summer (1972) - I’m sure some of you are Brooklyn Dodgers’ fans, and it recounted their lives after their playing days.

• Semi-Tough (1973) - A humorous and fictional view of the Giants paying the Jets in the Super Bowl.

• Broad Street Bullies (1975) - A great review of the Flyers’ first Stanley Cup victory and full of fabulous photos.

• Great Running Backs of the NFL (1966) - a staple - and Punt, Pass, and Kick manual and library (1965-70) - These were biographies of stars for the game, and I had an orange-colored manual (white was the standard cover) to tell how you do them step-by-step.

Some of the other books in the series were Super Bowl, The Big Pay, Gamebreakers of the NFL, and Star Pass Receivers of the NFL.

Does anyone have an edition of The Phillies Encyclopedia, or The Baseball Register?

Finally, try Fifty Phabulous Phillies, a collection of 50 players’ anecdotes that was compiled by myself and Philly media mogul Skip Clayton.

Book ‘Em Dano ... If you’re a Hawaii Five-O fan or a TV junkie, you recognize the phrase from the episodes of the original series that ran from 1968-1980. It was one of the closing lines from Steve McGarrett to Danny Williams to “book” the criminal.

The phrase also was sometimes active during the remake that aired from 2010-20.

A Youthful Book ... How many of you read The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling?

The book truly came to life when Disney turned it into a film in 1967. The songs “The Bare Necessities of Life,” and “I Wan’Na Be Like You,” originated from the film.

Batman Bite ... The Bookworm was a villain in the 1996 Batman TV series in episodes 29-30 titled “The Bookworm Turns” and “While Gotham City Burns.”

Roddy McDowall played the Bookworm in two of the series’ more entertaining shows filled with literature references.

Robin was tied to a hand of a giant downtown clock before being rescued by Batman, and the Dynamic Duo was also trapped inside a giant cookbook.

WWWF/WWE Wrap ... In each column, I will review the career of a wrestler from our youth.

Did you ever buy a book about pro wrestling?

Here are a few good ones you may want to investigate:

Hooker (2011) - It is the story of Lou Thesz, who is considered to be one of the greatest in the WWWF.

To Be The Man (2004) - A Colorful Presentation of Ric Flair, one of the sport’s most provocative to enter the squared circle.

Bobby the Brain Heenan, Wrestling’s Bad Boy (2002) - The title says it all. It is a recollection of his antics.

Hitman - My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling (2010) - Bret “The Hitman” Hart recounts his life in the ring.

The Last Outlaw, The Stan Hansen Story (2012) - Known for his lariat, Hansen’s career is traced through the years.

There are a number of Bruno Sammartino biographies out there, and it is always fun to read about the “Living Legend” or “The Italian Strongman.”

Memory Lane ... In each column, I will look back at the career of a former player, coach, manager, or media personality from our yesterday.

In keeping with the themes, do you remember former Phillies’ infielder Rod Booker and former Eagles’ running Lorenzo Booker?

Rod Booker signed as a free agent with the Phils in December 1989, and spent two seasons with the club. Overall, Booker hit .223 in 101 games as a backup infielder. He previously spent three seasons with the Cardinals, where he hit .300 in 72 games. Booker became a free agent after the 1991 season, but his career ended. In five seasons, Booker hit .248 in 173 games.

Lorenzo Booker was acquired by the Eagles in April 2008 from Miami for a fourth-round pick. He ran for 53 yards on 11 carries, but was waived before the start of the 2009 season.

Booker also played for the Vikings over two seasons as part of his four-year NFL career. In his four years, Booker rushed for 230 yards, and caught 47 passes for 362 yards. He also had a cup of coffee with the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League.

If you have a favorite sports book, be sure to let me know.

Your comments are always welcomed and will be published; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com