madeleinesbookshelf's Reviews (96)

The Pumpkin Spice Café

Laurie Gilmore

2.75

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Swan Dive: The Making of a Rogue Ballerina

Georgina Pazcoguin

4.0

funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

The Broadway Musical: A Critical and Musical Survey, 2nd Edition

Joseph P. Swain

3.5

informative reflective slow-paced

Bolshoi Confidential: Secrets of the Russian Ballet from the Rule of the Tsars to Today

Simon Morrison

3.5

informative medium-paced

Women in Russian Theatre: The Actress in the Silver Age

Catherine Schuler

3.5

informative slow-paced

A Life Well Danced: Maria Zybina's Russian Heritage Her Legacy of Classical Ballet and Character Dance Across Europe

Jane Gall Spooner

4.25

informative reflective medium-paced

A well-researched biography of Maria Zybina written by a former student, which makes it all the more reflective. Not only does it shine light on a dancer who sadly hasn’t been as well-remembered as some contemporaries, although she deserves to be, it also details the vast circle of friends and associates that Zybina had. That brings the whole picture together and allows the reader to learn about ballet in Yugoslavia, a very interesting topic. A recommended read for anyone interested in ballet history