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The books she'd walk a thousand miles to read.
Perhaps best known for her 2002 album Be Not Nobody, which featured the hit single "A Thousand Miles," Vanessa Carlton is a singer-songwriter whose earnest voice is guaranteed to thaw even the hard-hearted. Her new album, Rabbits on the Run, dispenses with elaborate orchestration and focuses on a pared-down style reminiscent of Stevie Nicks and Tori Amos. This week she points us to three books that inspire her music, including an autobiography that hints at her early years as a ballerina.
Buy Vanessa Carlton's new album, Rabbits on the Run
By Rebecca Solnit
"A friend turned me on to Solnit. This book is almost like a tool. A golden sword! It reflects yourself back to you. Solnit articulates moments in her mind that resonate with me to my core. I'm so grateful that she exists and chooses to share her stories and ruminations. I find myself drawing ideas for songs from some of her quotes. This is the type of book where you will find yourself scribbling notes in the margins."
By Richard Adams
"An epic and wonderful story. The choices that these rabbits make and what they end up creating is so fantastic. This book is an anchor and inspiration."
Once a Dancer: An Autobiography
By Allegra Kent
"This is my favorite ballerina autobiography. Kent is one of the great Balanchine dancers. Her story is amazing and she is an interesting and whimsical writer. If you want to go down the rabbit hole into the extraordinary world of a ballet dancer then read this."
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