SueK
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Posts posted by SueK
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Yes I thought the troop of dancers were so good. BUT the best act had to be the 60 year old guy who thought he could dance like Gene Kelly and then had to be escorted off by Ant and Dec:lol:
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Whilst I agree that her voice was rather good, I've heard other people sing that song just as well, if not better. I'm sure it's just such a shock because we all judge her by her looks and behaviour first..?
I think that is the rub, Michelle. No one expected such a voice from someone who looked, dare I say, so frumpy:lurker:
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Just caught up with the last episode on iPlayer so I stayed away from this thread.
I think Debra is a clone of Jenny last year - you know - the one who did and then didn't know what kosher chicken was:lol: There always seems to be a Jenny/Debra in the series.I wish Margaret hadn't backed James though - he was almost out of the door - good riddance too methinks.
Looking forward to tonight's episode - right up my street. They have to make and market some natural beauty products.
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If anyone missed this lady's wonderful performance on Britain's Got Talent here it is - and I bet there isn't a dry eye in the house afterwards.
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This is a synopsis from Amazon:
Review
'Set against the panorama of the First World War, The Kissing Gates is a poignant love story, a finely woven tapestry of choice, consequence and redemption. Mackenzie Ford explores the ambiguities of the human heart with an unwavering hand, and in so doing creates a haunting and moving tale that will resonate with the reader long after he or she has finished the last page." The First World War - with its no-man's land and valiant nurses - is disturbingly contrasted to the peaceful idyll of rural England. Even the touching love story, with a secret ticking away like a time-bomb at its heart, has us on a knife-edge of uncertainty. And Ford provides fascinating details of the thrills of the wartime intelligence world.
I have just finished this book and have to say it is one of the best books I have read on WW1, and that includes Birdsong.
The book, which is centred around the Christmas Day Truce of 1914, has everything – well rounded characters, a good plot, and interesting insight into intelligence and espionage during WW1. It exposes the futility of this war that lost so many people but doesn’t overly state it – it’s not about flag waving jingoism. Most poignantly, it is contrasting the stark atrocity of war torn France and Flanders with the idyllic peace and pastoral English countryside – you can almost hear Elgar’s music playing.
This book will stay with you for quite a while afterwards.I thoroughly recommend it and am happy to pass it on to anyone who is interested in reading it.
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Sue, I will give The Birthing House a try at some point, but I am very disappointed with the reviews. That'll teach me to rely on covers and blurbs!
Michelle, I didn't mean to be so heavy handed with my critique. Books aren't cheap these days and we are all looking for a good read (and good value!) I hope you do find it enjoyable.
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Hello June
Yes I still have quite a collection of vinyl and I won't be able to part with it. I have a collection of old and rare recordings of Gershwin (some where he actually plays the piano and of him conducting a rehearsal of Porgy and Bess) which I managed to source many, many years ago.
I love some of the musicians you mention, esp. George Benson, Anita Baker and Loo Rolls (as we affectionally called him:D).
Great stuff....
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Added: I've just been adding these to LT and GoodReads, and The Birthing House has some terrible reviews.
Michelle, IMHO, the Birthing House is one of the worst books I have read. It did look so good and eerie when I read the back cover but don't be fooled. I can't find anything redeeming to say about it:blush: It has long since gone to the charity shop .......
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Just resurrecting this thread on wartime stories. I read a lot of wartime stories especially WW1 and WWII books and have to say my favourite has to be Fair Stood the Wind for France by H E Bates (mentioned fleetingly on here earlier). It is a wonderful work of literature set around the time of the French occupation and an English airman's experience of trying to escape. Well worth reading.
If you like H E Bates (he is one of my all time favourite writers) you may like two of his books set in wartime Burma - the Purple Plain and the Jacaranda Tree - evocative, sensual books. He knew the area well.
All quite different to his Ma and Pa Larkin books.
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Had it not been for the war, Christmas 1914 would have been straight out of a fairy tale.
The Kissing Gates
Mackenzie Ford
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Has to be chocalate:smile2: Crackers and camembert is also nice with a glass of chilled dry white:mrgreen:
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Finished this yesterday and have to say it was great. Not normally my genre (I bought it on the back of reading reviews here:)) it was a very tense, well written book and I look forward to reading her next offering - there was a teaser at the back of Blood Ties.
I thought the plotline was very real, there was nothing that came across as unbelievable or incredible except, perhaps the previous wife of Robert being of a similar persuasion to his present wife (won't go into details for those who haven't read it), I wonder if that was a necessary sub-plot? That's me just being picky though. I loved it and couldn't put it down AND it did leave me guessing right through to the end.
It's one of those books that I will remember for a good while.
10/10
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I was almost disappointed that the girls won as I would have loved to see Yasmina explain why she used Asda smartprice items when the company wanted high quality ingredients.
Oh - that James, what a t***er
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Once a week, my OH likes to make a really hot authentic Thai meal. I can't eat really hot (chilli) food so we agree to make our own stuff. He's having a dish that has about 10 birds eye chillis in. Me? I'm having a nice cheese omelette with chips and peas:D
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Did anyone watch the first episode of this last night on BBC? It looks quite promising with maybe a touch of Joanna Trollope about it.
I know that wasn't Leyla's real signing voice but it did look so false when she started to sing - I don't think the voice and body went together.
I don't think I'm going to like Neil Pearson's character, blaming his wife's comfortable lifestyle and lack of ambition on his desire to walk out ( what a b*****d:irked:).
Look forward to the next episode though.
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Hmm, think I'll give the new series a miss in spite of the lovely Richard Armitage. I thought it was a bit lame and, I can't get my head around the new jargon either AND the incongruous clothes.
Can't beat Richard Green back in the 50s, great stuff that was with all the men looking so clean with their brylcreemed hair:mrgreen:
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Don't get me wrong pipread, I enjoyed the book, the story is compelling and I learnt a lot - especially about society in mid Victorian England. It could just be me and the timing of reading the book (there's a thread about being in the right mood for some books). I've had a lot to deal with recently and most books I chose I can escape into, but this was probably not the right one at that time.
Do read it though, I'm sure you will find it fulfilling.
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I don't know if this is everywhere, as I've only eaten KFC once in like the past 5 years and it happened to be here in India, but there's a warning on their boxes here that says that their products should not be consumed by children younger than 5 years of age!
What is IN their products here that is so dangerous to young children that they are actually required to put a warning on their packages?!I think it is to do with the chicken bones. Some of the pieces have little bones in them and could well cause kids to choke on them.
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I've just started this one this morning and already can't put it down. It's a pity that work gets in the way. I have to say I haven't a clue where this book is going and I don't want to do any second guessing, I shall just go with the flow and hope I am suitably "thrilled".
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I eventually finished this book and glad I did. I mentioned in other threads that I was easily distracted (unusual for me when I read) and I did pick up other books along the way.
The detail is absolutely incredible and very commendable although I did feel in places it was bogging me down a little, especially as the author digressed to go on to similar books, accounts and other works of fiction. Nonetheless, her research was impeccable. My only disappointment is her charactisation of Mr Whicher himself. We are given to understand that he was very dejected after the original case went against him (won't give away too much) and I would have liked to have "got into the mind" of Mr Whicher more, rather than just reading of his exploits. I wish he had come to life a bit more.. It has prompted me to buy a book that was mentioned in it by Mary Elizabeth Braddon whose book "Lady Audley's secret" is her fictional account of the proceedings.
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Now, you see, this is what happens when you start getting into a book and that duly throws up other reading opportunities.
I'm almost at the end of Suspicions of Mr Whicher (this has taken me soooooo long to read) but I'm persevering and pleased that I have. Those that have read this book will know that it makes reference to lots of other books, either fiction or non, on a similar subject. Wilkie Collins' Lady in White is one of those profiled (which I read a while back and enjoyed it). Another book mentioned is the title of this thread which apparently took England by storm when it was published as it was the nearest fictional account to the Road Hill House case. I subsequently looked up more about Lady Audley's Secret, found it to be a best seller and have now ordered it.
Has anyone read it?
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Wow Tuesday, I really have to applaud you - very commendable - and that is a "mountain" of literature, as you say. The question is though, are you enjoying the books?
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Hooked already!!
I definitely think Anita was the best choice to go.
I also liked her leaving speech....."In 10 years time Sir Alan will be wondering if he made a big mistake letting me go" or something like that. Is she having a laugh???!!!!! haa!!
You've gotta love their audacity eh?
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Scary bunch of women though, was that Mortitia Adams who was an inch away from the sack:lol:
LOL, they really can't run the proverbial in the brewery can they? They all come on with their "impressive" CVs, talk a load of junk - pose like whatshername in Devil wears Prada and can't clean cars properly. AND, they are so happy to be "within budget" which was their ultimate downfall. I think the lass that went was probably the right choice as she should have said something about the spending.
LUV IT. Bring it on.......
The Apprentice
in Music / TV / Films
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I tend to agree Lucy. No one stands out for me yet. What a sad indictment on our society that there are such arrogant, aggressive young people who would quite easily stab each other in the back to get the job they want. Didn't their parents teach them about values and respect for their fellow man.