(For the week of Nov. 19 to Nov. 25, posted the following Wednesday)***

(LAST WEEK'S PICKS)

Please feel free to use this image on your own site for picks this week. Right click this image to get the URL for the gif. If you link the image to your winning post at your home site that would be even better.

These are "best of's" from people who have previously been chosen by editors. This is a way to broaden the output and get a feel for what others like, while remaining focused on great writing. The guidelines for choosing are HERE. I f you were chosen by an editor below, please read before choosing your own.

1. Mary K. Williams ::: Review: A Girl Like Sugar, by Emily Pohl-Weary by Bonnie, Nov. 24.
First, the title intrigued me. Then, the review did what it was supposed to do, make me want more. Bonnie gives us a well written, succinct review of the book, A Girl Like Sugar. She expresses her enjoyment of the book, while at the same time acknowledges its possible shortcomings. I can see myself checking this title out soon. Good stuff!

2. Don Baiocchi's pick ::: DVD Review: Mr and Mrs Smith by Kirsten Cameron, Nov. 21
I haven't seen the film, but this review is a pretty convincing reason not to. Using scathing humor and relentless personal and professional attacks on the film's stars, you get the feeling that not only should Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie not have made this movie, they shouldn't be allowed to make any other movie ever again until they learn (or re-learn) how to act. While I'd prefer the review to actually spell Ms. Jolie's name correctly, you get the feeling that Ms. Cameron doesn't even respect the actress enough to bother with her name. This review is harsh, yet hilarious. I hope Ms. Cameron sees other horrible films so I can read more reviews like this one. [Temple's note ::: spelling fixed]

3. deekay's pick ::: My Editors Pick Pick would be Victor Lana's Memories of Thanksgivings Past. Even if it's about the wrong Thanksgiving for a Canadian like me, it's a beautifully written piece evoking memories of family holidays, or at least dreams of family holidays I wish I had!

Withdrawal from Iraq: A Moral Quandary by Michael J. West, Nov. 20
It's all well and good to want US soldiers out of Iraq right now. But as West reminds us in this eloquent piece, the US invasion caused - and continues to cause - the nation's present woes. And when it comes to dealing with the havoc this nation has wrought, says West, there are no easy answers for either the left or the right.