Little Girls in Pretty Boxes, by Joan Ryan
This one flat-out disturbed me, as I'm sure it disturbed many others. I never struggled with the psychological and physical abuse often associated with the sport, thankfully, so this was a bit of an eye-opener.
Inside Edge, by Christine Brennan
Another book about the "dark side" of skating, specifically (LGIPB was primarily about gymnasts). I got to ask the author a question about it when she spoke at my school once. I don't even remember what I asked or what she said, I was kinda starstruck.
My Sergei, By Ekaterina Gordeeva (now Kulik)
Gordeeva & Grinkov's skating inspires me to this day, and I took Sergei's death pretty hard, having seen him skate live just the week before. It was hard to pick up this book and read it, but it really is a great love story.
Push Dick's Button, by Dick Button
Haven't gotten around to reading this one yet, but I love the title, I love Dick Button, and I love the Dick Button Drinking Game (he said "effervescence," take a shot!).
The Essential Figure Skater, by Bernie Schallehn, Patti Tashman and Nikki Schallehn
This is a great guide to the technical side of skating and the psychological components of it, written by some folks I know quite well!
The Passion to Skate, by Sandra Bezic and David Hayes
I used to look at the dazzling cover of this book more than actually read it, but it provides a great look into the artistic side of skating, that so often gets overlooked.
There are a few other books I need to add to this list, but I am completely blanking on their titles and authors, and surprisingly random Google searches for "that book about that figure skating girl" are turning up nothing. So there will be a part II to this post, once I'm able to get back to my parents' house and locate those books!
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