5 mins
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A Body of Work
(Touchstone)
David Hallberg made history in 2011 when he became the first American to become a principal with the Bolshoi. The pressurised world of professional ballet took its toll when a severe ankle injury forced him off the stage; his idle days led him to excessive drinking, before his triumphant return to the boards in 2016. A Body of Work is a fascinating look into a world where every part of yourself, both physically and psychologically, is sacrificed to your craft.
Shop Girl
by Mary Portas
(Black Swan)
Now one of the most recognisable faces on TV, Mary Portas’ retail know-how is legendary. Born into an Irish family, Portas moved through the ranks of casual jobs to window dresser extraordinaire, her big break coming with her appointment as Creative Director of Harvey Nichols.
Shop Girl is the engaging, and oftentimes moving, look at how her tough childhood (she lost both parents by age 18) led to her becoming one of the most driven people in the cut-throat world of retail.