Black Coffee discussion

"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.

I know that December is a very busy month for a lot of us, but we will try to get this book in. :)

Who all will be joining our final group read for 2016?

Me. I love watching ballet at this time of year so happy to read about it.

oh wow! I would love to and I am going to try. maybe in 3 weeks. I've had this book on my TBR forever.

I've read it.... and it was good!

I have also read it and I'm a huge fan of Misty Copeland. She had to face tremendous racism in the ballet world.

I'd like to reread this book.

I can't believe it will be Decemeber tomorrow! This was quite a year!

I just wanna see who all will be joining in on this read, so that I can put together a reading schedule.

Brina, I think you've read it already. So it looks like just Maya and myself for the actual reading. Is that right?

Yes. I chose it because it's fast reading and perfect for this time of year. Hope you enjoy and then I will join in discussions. I also can't believe it's December tomorrow.

Yes I am waiting on my copy to come in. Hopefully in another week

Ok. I pick my copy up today. Let me know when you're ready and we can start.

ok. sounds good

I'm in. I'll go pick up my copy tomorrow.

Great Michelle!! :)

I would love to read along. I'll see if I can get a copy.

I'm going to pick up my copy from the library tomorrow! Has anyone else seen the documentary about her, A Ballerina's Tale? It's on Netflix if you haven't checked it out.

I think my daughters watched it before. Anything with ballet they would have seen.

I saw it a few months ago, but I think I will re watch it in anticipation of the read.

This looks like it will be a pretty quick read (coming in at about 265 pages). I'm hoping that we can get this knocked out before the holidays roll around.

Here is a tentative reading schedule:

****Preface - Chapter 6 **** Discussion starts: 12/11
****Chapter 7 -14 **** Discussion starts: 12/18

" This is for the little brown girls."

Love it!

Leona wrote: "I'm going to pick up my copy from the library tomorrow! Has anyone else seen the documentary about her, A Ballerina's Tale? It's on Netflix if you haven't checked it out."

yes, I did watch the netflix special. I enjoyed it.

Lulu wrote: "This looks like it will be a pretty quick read (coming in at about 265 pages). I'm hoping that we can get this knocked out before the holidays roll around.

Here is a tentative reading schedule:
..."

I start this weekend

anyone reading this and feel like Misty sounds a little conceited?

Lol! I was just thinking this Maya. So far nothing with ballet, the skill, has been an issue for her. It's like she just went to one class and became the greatest.

(view spoiler)[I will say that so far she has been truly blessed. Even with her maybe having experienced racism, how many young black girls have patrons to pay for everything and practically adopt them? I don't know, thinking about her actions so far I can see why her family thought she was brainwashed. (hide spoiler)]

Exactly. "I was great and everyone loved me" has been said several times.

Maya wrote: "anyone reading this and feel like Misty sounds a little conceited?"

I see what you mean Maya. She seems to be coming down off her high horse a little bit as she's describing the turmoil she and her siblings faced. I'm only at the part where her dance instructor pleads to take her home with her so I guess we'll see what's to come over the next couple of chapters.

I hope to finish tonight. maybe she will get better and focus on her ballet encounters with others

She definitely had a tough upbringing and she will discuss her encounters with others toward the end.

This book is very repetitive.

Lulu wrote: "This book is very repetitive."

yes some parts were, but luckily it was not so bad that it would take away from the story

Finished the book and ready for the discussion. While reading it I was keeping Maya's comment in mind and I guess I'm not sure. At times she sounds conceited but it could also be taken as confidence and a lack of insecurity. I'll be interested to hear others' thoughts.

I've finished as well. It seemed a little too pre-mature. But she has accomplished her dream, hasn't she? She is a soloist with ABT, the first Black female to hold that job.

Yeah, in my review I stated that it felt as though someone else was telling her story.

I think the part that shook me the most was the custody battle. How did u guys feel about that?

I think the custody battle was a bit much, but at the same time they were giving her an opportunity. the mother clearly had a lot going on and this was the only way misty was going to make it out. she had help from donors. living out of a hotel room is not a stable environment for any child.

I don't think that someone else told her story because she did mention she keeps a journal and has been writing this story for years

Do you all feel like Misty is the Jackie Robinson of ballet?

Yes and no only because there were other Trail Blazers, yet, it seems other than Misty, women of color in ballet today are few and far between.

I agree Brina. I would love to read the story of her mentor, Raven Wilkinson. I don't think she has a book though. I want to read this one next year Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina

So this is a link from Wikipedia (don't judge me!!), but it looks like there have only been 7 professional ballerinas. ONLY 7!!!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...

Maya wrote: "I agree Brina. I would love to read the story of her mentor, Raven Wilkinson. I don't think she a book though. I want to read this one next year [book:Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Balleri..."

I added that to my TBR list after hearing her speak on a youtube video.

I will add this as soon as I read a few more books. Trying to keep tbr 250 or less.

oh wow! Thanks for the link Lulu. I can only imagine the racial barriers these ballerinas had to endure. That definitely explains why America has only had 7. I read some where that many black ballarinas left America and went to other countries to perform

Brina wrote: "I will add this as soon as I read a few more books. Trying to keep tbr 250 or less."

Oh wow! I wish I could do that. I keep telling myself I have to tackle that tbr list. And although I significantly increased my reading this year it seems that for every book I read I add 4 to my tbr list.

Maya, I can believe that. Kinda like when black writers and musicians had to go to Europe, mainly Paris, for "freedom".

Michelle my tbr was 450 and I managed to cut that down to 250. I am focusing on classics, pulitzers, man bookers, national book award winners, and plays for next year. A few contemporary books that I don't want to miss. As I read 1 book, I allow myself to add another and low and behold I have a manageable list of 250. Would like to get that down below 200 next year.

This is my all time favorite Prince song, The Beautiful Ones. This is the only video I could find of of Prince and Misty Copeland's performance.

http://theroottv.theroot.com/video/Pr...

I almost forgot this book was published almost 2 yrs before he died. when I read it I was looking for her to talk about his death and then I remembered.

Maya wrote: "I almost forgot this book was published almost 2 yrs after he died. when I read it I was looking for her to talk about his death and then I remembered."

Same here!! lol

I have finally finished my review on this book. If you are interested in my take, here is the link for my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Good review Michelle. I really wish those black ballerinas before Misty would have told there story. Misty chose to use her voice and that is what is making her so popular.

Maya wrote: "Good review Michelle. I really wish those black ballerinas before Misty would have told there story. Misty chose to use her voice and that is what is making her so popular."

Funny you should say that Maya. I actually looked up whether there were any biographies/autobiographies on these woman. The only one I could find was on Janet Collins but it seems pretty obscure. Night's Dancer: The Life of Janet Collins

adding to my list. I feel like I need to read more about these women