The Boston Public Library is set to host its 27th annual Hundred-Year Book Debate on February 10, 2024, where three literary classics will compete for the title of best book published in 1926. This lively event challenges the perception of libraries as quiet spaces by encouraging passionate discussions around significant literary works.
The debate, which began in 1999, will feature local experts advocating for three notable books: Ernest Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises,” Langston Hughes’s “The Weary Blues,” and A.A. Milne’s “Winnie-the-Pooh.” Each advocate will present arguments based on literary, historical, or cultural merits to engage the audience.
This year’s participants include Hilary Justice, the Patrick and Carol T. Hemingway Scholar-in-Residence at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, who will argue for Hemingway’s first full novel. Regie Gibson, the Commonwealth’s First Poet Laureate, will champion Hughes’s poetry collection, while Jackie C. Horne, a professor of children’s literature at Simmons University, will represent Milne’s beloved classic.
The event will be moderated by Kennedy Elsey, cohost of Mix 104.1’s morning radio program, who has hosted the debate five times. Elsey expressed her enthusiasm for the library and the event, stating, “When I moved to Boston, the library was one of the first places I went. This event fills my book nerd heart.”
Following the presentations, audience members will have the opportunity to submit questions and engage in a lively discussion. Votes will be collected from both in-person attendees and those joining via Zoom, using a QR code for easy access. The winner will be announced at the end of the evening, earning “bragging rights” as well as a gift certificate to a local bookstore, according to Lisa Fagin Davis, chair of the Hundred-Year Book Debate committee.
The debate is not only a celebration of literature but also serves to highlight the BPL’s extensive Special Collections, which include rare books and artifacts dating back centuries. Amanda Doyle-Bouvier, the newly appointed head of the Associates of the BPL, emphasized the importance of preserving these cultural artifacts. “Whether it’s researchers or authors, being able to access these original artifacts is so important,” she noted.
Each year, the event attracts a creative and enthusiastic audience, with many attendees dressing up and bringing signs to show their support for their chosen book. The atmosphere is vibrant, filled with applause and gasps, reflecting the high stakes of the debate. While the outcome is uncertain, past contests have shown that surprises are common; last year, for instance, Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway” triumphed over F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”
The Hundred-Year Book Debate will commence at 6 p.m. in Rabb Hall at the BPL’s Central Library in Copley Square. Admission is free, but reservations are required and can be made through Eventbrite.
This engaging event not only celebrates literary history but also encourages community involvement and raises awareness about the resources available at the Boston Public Library. As Davis stated, it connects today’s readers with books from a century ago, fostering a deeper appreciation for literature and its enduring significance.
