Today is my birthday (I feel strange drawing attention to that, because I don’t generally draw attention to myself, which is weird … because I blog … but I’m mentioning it because I want to talk about my gifts), and the Hobgoblin gave me three news books: The Emperor’s Children by Claire Messud, Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl, and Calvin Trillin’s About Alice. I’m excited about the two novels both because they look good and because I’m in need of some contemporary fiction right now. I’m still reeling from The Street of Crocodiles (more on that later) and want something likely to feel a little more familiar. And I’m excited about the Trillin book because I’ve heard wonderful things about it, and I read an excerpt of it in the New Yorker a while back that was really beautiful.
The Hobgoblin also got me some cycling tank tops (special because they have pockets in the back) and a sweater. We went out to a fancy restaurant last night to celebrate, which is standard for us — we agree that everything should be celebrated with a trip to a fancy restaurant, preferably one we haven’t been to before. Oh, and a good friend of mine got me the Jane Austen action figure, which I’m really excited about — it comes complete with writing desk and a quill pen, and the box has this wonderful quotation on it: “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?”
Today we went on a group bike ride, which turned out to be wonderful. It was three hours, with about a dozen people, and I was happy with it because for the most part everybody kept a reasonable pace — not too fast — so I worked hard but didn’t kill myself trying to keep up with the others. It was a beautiful day, upper 30s and so warm enough to be comfortable (especially with my toe warmers!), clear, and sunny. The only problem was that the roads were wet, and riding on wet roads with a group can be a bit gross because the tires of the person in front of me spray water and road grit directly at my face. I know the taste of dirty road water all too well. But otherwise, I couldn’t have asked for a better ride.
Of Books and Bicycles 
Happy Birthday! What nice gifts Hobgoblin gave you! I’m very interested in the Messud book. I’ve seen the Jane Austen action figure and want it badly. It sounds like you had a wonderful celebration. May you have many, many more!
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Happy birthday, Dorothy! The Hobgoblin made a good choice with “Special Topics In Calamity Physics.” It’s a really good book. And I’m interested in the Messaud novel, so I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts on it.
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Happy Birthday Dorothy! It sounds like you had a great one. I’ve not read anything by Messud, but I’ve heard good things. 🙂 I read Special Topics in Calamity Physics last summer and really enjoyed it. If you are looking for something lighter, that is it. Blue and her father are interesting and unique characters.
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Happy Birthday! It sounds like you’ve celebrated in fine style with good company, good food, and good books. I’ve got both the Messud and the Pessl on hold at the library. I will be very interested to hear your views on them (not to mention your views on The Street of Crocodiles which was definitely a step out of the ordinary for me as well!).
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Congrats! That JA action figure is hilarious!
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Happy Birthday, Dorothy! Sounds like you had a great day.
I’m interested in hearing about all of the books, but particularly the Pessl and the Trillin books. I’ve read an excerpt from Trillin’s book — very good! Pessl’s book sounded interesting when I first read a print review (in NYT maybe?) but I saw her a few months ago on Breakfast with the Arts and my reaction was rather lukewarm. Not that the author’s mediocre interview necessarily equates with a mediocre novel, but there wasn’t anything in the interview that made me want to run out & get the book nor that made me think that she might write something that I could even remotely relate to. So, I’ve been waiting to read what my blogging friends think about it.
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Happy Birthday! Those books sound great; I’ve seen the first two in the bookstore and thought they looked interesting, but don’t know the third title. Looking forward to hearing what you think of them.
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Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a blast and look at all those wonderful bookish gifts!
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Happy Birthday, Dorothy! It sounds as if you managed to put together the perfect day – all your favourite things in one big package. Fantastic!
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Happy Birthday, Dorothy! I look forward to reading your opinion on Claire Messud’s novel!
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Happy birthday, Dorothy! Looking forward to your take on all your new books–and The Street of Crocodiles!
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Happy, Happy Birthday, Dorr, you young whippersnapper, you! Sounds like you celebrated in just the right way (fancy, untried restaurants are always my celebration of choice).
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Happy Happy Birthday! What lovely gifts you got–the books and clothes, the fancy restaurant and the great bike ride. I will look out for your thoughts on the Messud, of which I’ve heard many good and bad reviews.
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Happy Birthday, Dorothy! It sounds like a lovely one. Hope the dinner was tremendous.
courtney
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I’m absolutely in love with the Jane Austen action figure…a bit more inspiring than GI Joe or Bratz.
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Happy Birthday a day late!! Sounds like you had a nice day. And your books all sound good!
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Happy birthday from Germany! I think books are the perfect gift, and a nice meal out is the perfect way to celebrate a birthday. My dear cycling husband would agree that a good ride would make a perfect day even better …
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Happy B-Day!!!! Enjoy your books. I’m sure we will get to hear all about them and I am looking forward to it.
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Thank you everyone for your kind comments! It’s a nice way to extend my birthday a bit, to come along today and see all these nice responses.
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Happy (belated) Birthday!!!!
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Happy belated birthday! What great presents!
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