Well, I never thought I’d be writing a post about sport, but all this furore over cyclist Lance Armstrong’s admission of cheating put me in mind of a George Orwell quote:

“Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence.”

And talking of George Orwell, the inaugural Orwell Day is to be held this Monday (21st January).  It’s a joint effort between the Orwell estate, The Orwell Prize and Penguin Books, and is celebrated on the anniversary of Orwell’s death, which was in 1950.  The most tangible part of this celebration is the release of new Penguin editions of some of Orwell’s most beloved works. I think these editions, designed by David Pearson, are gorgeous, especially the very strong Nineteen Eighty-Four cover:

The Orwell Prize is encouraging everyone to read the essay, Politics and the English Language, to mark the occasion. It’s available free on their website, as well as in the 99p Penguin edition.

I’ve bought all the editions to enhance my bookshelves, and have almost finished Down and Out in Paris and London. So, If you’ve never read Orwell, what are you waiting for? Now is as good a time as any.

(Images come from youarenotus.com)