Hey, ita (et al.): I was just at the library and picked up a Val McDermid book, Star Struck. The description on the inside flap starts like this:

Bodyguarding had never made it to Manchester PI Kate Brannigan's wish list... [blah blah]...the fast-talking, computer-loving, white-collar-crime expert has to swallow her pride and slip into something more glam than her Thai boxing kit.

For some reason, I thought of you.

I am reading Hemingway short stories. I think teh only Hemingway I've ever read is For Whom the Bell Tolls and I don't really remember it.

Since my bookclub seems to be on a recent books only leaning right now, I am taking the opportunity to look at some older works I have on my TBR shelves.

I get a lot of shit for it, but I've always liked Hemingway. I should re-read what I have here and/or read other stuff.

Jesse -- skip To Have and Have Not. Although it's got some good prose fillips, the plot is dull and the thesis of the novel is kind of shitty and irritatingly self-righteous. I read the other day that The Sun Also Rises is generally considered his best novel; I read it in high school but don't remember a whole lot. Probably due a reread, but not till after I get through the 15 or so volumes on the floor beside my bed.

The Old man and the Sea. My idea of a perfect novel.

A Moveable Feast. Very close to orgasmic heartbreaking memories of Paris, for me. Makes me reach for my passport.

Oh, Jesse, I need that.

I just picked up my third Crusie. I should take notes when I read here, because I think I'm doing the same out-of-order (Welcome to Temptation/Faking It) thing as was mentioned upthread.

But just getting to the bookstore and remembering her name was a huge deal for me.

Even Hemingway-haters agree that the Nick Adams short-stories are primo stuff.

Sorry to interrupt, but I saw this and had to thank you.

She then set up brackets for....yes, you guessed it -- a POETRY DEATHMATCH!!!

I am so stealing this for my hugh school kids! What a fabulous idea! We've done original poetry slams before (of their original work), but it would be a fantastic way to involve them in a discussion of what makes a "classic" poem great if they each had to find "the best poem ever written" and then competed to determine a final winner!!!

Thank you (and your friend) for the great idea!

I love the Deathmatch concept used in this way, with a deep abiding love.

I wonder about a "best poem ever" thing, though, because I know mine change from day to day. That's the thing about poetry - it's so very subjective.

One day I'd pick Millay's "The Blueflag in the Bog" or "The Lace Weaver." Next day, mood changes and it's Neruda's "Walking Around." Next three days after that, Michael Drayton, "Since There's No Help." Not a lot in common.

What would the criteria be? I'm really curious how this would work.