Top 5 books about ballet, chosen by ballerina-cum-author Juhea Kim 

Writer Juhea Kim trained as a ballerina before becoming a best-selling author. In recent years she has reconnected with dance, inspiring her new novel City of Night Birds. Now she chooses five of her favourite books about ballet

A Body of Work: Dancing to the Edge and Back by David Hallberg 

One of the most acclaimed danseurs of our age, former principal of American Ballet Theatre and Bolshoi David Hallberg relates his journey to stardom, injury and return in this heartfelt literary memoir.  

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The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp 

This manual for creative living by the iconic choreographer is a must-read for dancers and non-dancers alike.  

Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet by Jennifer Homans 

New York City Ballet (NYCB) dancer-turned-critic Homans examines the history of ballet through the centuries. This expansive and impassioned narrative will satisfy seasoned balletomanes as well as novices.

The Diary of Vaslav Nijinsky: Unexpurgated Edition

For an entry into the mind of a divinely gifted dancer, there is nothing that compares to The Diary of Vaslav Nijinsky. It depicts his well-known descent into madness, but also – incontrovertibly – his genius.

The Master’s Muse by Varley O’Connor

Tanaquil LeClercq was an NYCB principal by age 19 and the fourth (and last) wife of choreographer George Balanchine by age 23. Four years later, she was struck by polio and remained paralysed for the rest of her life. This quietly splendid novel illuminates her life beyond the tragedy.

City of Night Birds by Juhea Kim is out now (Oneworld, £16.99). Some of these titles are available to buy from the Big Issue shop on Bookshop.org, which helps to support the Big Issue and independent bookshops.

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