I can’t believe March is already coming to a close. How is this year flying by this fast? I’m not complaining though. After the winter we had in New England, I am more than ready to say buh-bye to the winter months.
With it being the end of March, it also means it’s time for SarahOhm.com’s Blogger Book Club March link up! And I’m really excited to share my book with you all this month!
March’s Theme
A biography of someone you’ve been meaning to learn more about
What I Read
Life in Motion by Misty Copeland
Synopsis (From Goodreads)
“Picture a ballerina in a tutu and toe shoes. What does she look like?”
As the only African American soloist dancing with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland has made history. But when she first placed her hands on the barre at an after-school community center, no one expected the undersized, anxious thirteen-year-old to become a ground-breaking ballerina.
When she discovered ballet, Misty was living in a shabby motel room, struggling with her five siblings for a place to sleep on the floor. A true prodigy, she was dancing en pointe within three months of taking her first dance class and performing professionally in just over a year: a feat unheard of for any classical dancer. But when Misty became caught between the control and comfort she found in the world of ballet and the harsh realities of her own life (culminating in a highly publicized custody battle), she had to choose to embrace both her identity and her dreams, and find the courage to be one of a kind.
With an insider’s unique point of view, Misty opens a window into the life of a professional ballerina who lives life center stage: from behind the scenes at her first auditions to her triumphant roles in some of the most iconic ballets. But in this beautifully written memoir, she also delves deeper to reveal the desire and drive that made her dreams reality.
Life in Motion is a story of passion and grace for anyone who has dared to dream of a different life.
Why I Chose This Book
I first learned about Misty Copeland through the Under Armour ads she recently did. I’m not a dancer, nor have I ever been one (unless you count those few dances I took when I was five). But I’ve always loved ballerinas. Perhaps it’s their exquisite grace, their gentle way of moving, and their ability to tell a story through movement. But when I heard of Misty Copeland, and how she decided to tell her story not only through dance, but through words, I couldn’t not choose this book.
My Thoughts
I enjoyed every moment of this book. How she became a ballerina, where she came from, her struggles, her triumphs, and everything in between. I don’t want to say too much without giving away much of the book, since it’s a biography, but it’s a great read. And talk about a role model. Not just for African-American women and girls, but for women and girls of all races. She had a dream, and a talent, and she pursued it.
Even if you’re not a dancer, check out this book. It will leave you inspired, and perhaps even googling videos of Misty Copeland’s ballets. I know I did.
Stars: 4 out of 5
Stay tuned for next month’s book club pick, and make sure to check out all of my fellow book club member’s picks too!
An InLinkz Link-up
