It feels like a really busy week to me, but that’s mostly because I’m trying to get a lot of riding in. The weather is finally warming up a bit, the snow from last weekend’s snow storm is melting, and I’m trying to ride as much as I possibly can. Last weekend’s race got cancelled because of the snow, which is why you have no race report. I can, however, link to the blog of the guy who runs the Spring races I ride in. His name’s Aki, over at Sprinter della Casa; if you do jump over there (and this is totally self-indulgent of me — I don’t blame you if you ignore it), you’ll find a race video shot from Aki’s helmet. If you watch it you can get a taste of what it’s like to ride in a race, and you can see the actual course I ride on (yippee, right?). He’s not riding in my race, or the Hobgoblin’s, so you won’t see us, although that would be pretty cool, wouldn’t it? Or maybe not, if I look like a dork out there, which is entirely possible.
And now I have just the tiniest bit of book chat before I close up the computer and start reading for the evening. First of all, my copy of the Edith Grossman translation of Don Quixote has arrived, and I love the way the book looks. There’s the cool cover, of course:
And then there’s the way the book feels in my hand, heavy and solid, but soft and flexible too, so that it will easily lie flat. It’s got those rough uneven edges I like, and the print isn’t tiny. I’ve discovered that it’s important to me not to read a book with tiny print. Maybe I’m a bit superficial about this, but I find it discouraging to feel like I’m reading and reading and reading just to get to the bottom of one page. Reading Proust would be an entirely different experience if I had an edition with tiny print. I’m so grateful for the six not overly-large volumes of Proust I’ve got with pages that don’t go on forever.
I’ve got the Don Quixote blog on my mind; by the beginning of May, I’ll have it set up, and we decided it will be called Tilting at Windmills. Do let me know if you want to join in the group reading — I posted on it here.
And two other reminders. If you’d like to read Jane Austen’s short novel Lady Susan with the Slaves of Golconda, you’ve got until March 31st; it’s very short, so there’s plenty of time to join in. And, let me know if you’d like your name entered in a drawing for Dorothy Wordsworth’s Grasmere and Alfoxden Journals, which I’m giving away to celebrate my first year of blogging. Leave a comment over here if you are interested. By the way, I have absolutely no problem mailing the book overseas. I do it all the time for Book Mooch, and other bloggers have generously done it for me. So don’t let geography keep you from participating!
Of Books and Bicycles 
Oh my gosh! How did I let time slip away from me and not read Lady Susan? (I know it isn’t the 31st yet, but it might has well be with my current reading schedule.) Will certainly stop by to read what others have to say on both Slaves and Windmills blogs. The Quixote blog is tempting, but I think I’ll follow from the sidelines.
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oooh your copy of Don Quixote is MUCH prettier than mine! And I’m very excited about the prospect of being a new slave. Lady Susan here I come!
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I would like to try to Tilt at Windmills. Sign me up!
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Oh, that was a fun video. I don’t think I could ever race, just looking at how close the riders got to one another made me nervous! They used the same cover for the hardcover of DQ and it very pretty. I like the red, it really stands out on my shelf so I am constantly reminded of my reading accomplishment 🙂
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Ok, I’m going against my usual inclinations and am signing up for the Cervantes reading. Don Quixote may be one of the books for me that I’d never get around to, or finish, without the prospect of deadlines and discussions on the horizon.
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Tilt at the Windmills is great! I am trying to get the nerve to join in on this. And, I know what I’ll be doing this weekend, reading Lady Susan.
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You know, I think I would like to join Tilt at Windmills. I’ve been really bad about joining any of these groups, and this is a book I’ve always wanted to read (I do love the musical – “I am I, Don Quite, the Man of La Mancha, and my destiny calls…” – so what the heck, sign me up!
Courtney
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I swear I didn’t see your comment about the Quixote cover before I posted my blog entry today!
I’m going to try to follow the reading blog, though not as an official participant. I just can’t keep up with my commitments as of late.
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I am so, so tempted to join Tilting at Windmills, especially since we just saw Man of La Mancha a couple of weeks ago, which made me immediately want to read the book again, but I’m going to have to pass. Would it be fair, at some point, if I contributed a post anyway, from someone who read the book a few years ago, that popped into my head while driving back from the play?
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Cool video. It looks like fun–I could never do it–but it was fun to watch! I am looking forward to DOn Quixote–it is a nice edition, isn’t it? I have this fear that it is going to be hard reading…not sure why, but I guess I will find out soon enough! I’ll be starting Lady Susan very soon, too!
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Cam, do stop by and say a word now and then — you’d be welcome!
Litlove, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts about both books!
Quillhill, I’m so glad you are joining us; I’ll put you on the list.
Stefanie, I don’t ride as recklessly as Aki does; well, maybe “recklessly” isn’t the word, but I’m a lot more cautious. Riding so close to people IS scary!
Imani — Oh, yay, I’m glad you are joining us! You’ll be a great addition.
Iliana, I do hope you enjoy Lady Susan. Just say the word, and you’re welcome to join the Quixote group.
Courtney, apparently I was right to mention the Quixote group again, because I’m getting lots of new people to join us — and I’m thrilled you’re one of them.
LK, I certainly understand; I’m off to check out your post next!
Emily, please, please do contribute a post on Don Quixote!
Danielle, I’m glad you enjoyed that video. I don’t think Don Quixote will be hard, although I understand it may be a bit slow at points. But I’m certain that it’s worth it.
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