chesilbeach

I saw Pitch Perfect at the weekend, and thought it was pretty good. A tad predictable, but good to see a strong female presence with some very funny moments too.

Thanks Kidsmum, but no apologies needed! My choice for Dorset would also be Far From The Madding Crowd so I think we'll go with that one. I know neither of the books for Staffordshire, and based on willoyd and Kidsmums comments, I think The Old Wives Tale seems the best fit. I don't think it matters if it's not set wholly within the county, as long as it's still most associated with it, which you've convinced me it is. So, that's another two counties down! So next up, we've got suggestions for two of the Yorkshire counties: South Yorkshire: Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines North Yorkshire: A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr Dracula by Bram Stoker Any more suggestions from anyone to add to the debate? For reference (since the different Yorkshire counties were confusing me), South Yorkshire is east of the Penines, and includes Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, while North Yorkshire includes most of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors with the biggest towns being Harrogate, Scarborough and Northallerton.

I'm not sure it's Robin's fault, I think it's the producers who force this rubbish on them. The same way that there is no way Ashley should have been dancing the jive in daps, he should be wearing proper dance shoes, but as Ola pointed out, it wasn't her choice. I think all the props are foisted on the couples as the producers think it adds to the entertainment factor, when in reality, it's just faffing around and annoying. As Len has always said, it should be maximum of 8 bars intro, then into the dance proper, particularly in ballroom, it should be straight into hold and remain in hold, until at least the last 8 bars. There's way too much intro on some songs, and far too much coming in and out of hold on the ballroom dances.

I think you're probably right, Kay, and I think I'm still more cross about the ridiculousness of the scale of the final challenge, giving them such an impossible task. I have no interest in weddings, but do people have different flavour cakes in each tier of their cakes nowadays, and if so, could a professional baker even have achieved something impressive within such a short timescale? Stoopid challenge. I sort of think they made it impossible for the contestants to give that final wow of a showstopper, and on the day, it's almost like none of them really shone and deserved to win. It's such a shame as I much preferred the first two series, where they had to prepare bakes for a high tea, which gave them the scope to do savoury, sweet, cake, pastry, bread, etc., and could work to their strengths while still needing to produce to a high quality, whereas this was very limited.

Ok, in order to move things on a bit, I've decided we'll stick with Holmes for the Greater London, and while we're waiting for any other responses about the County Durham question, let's make a start on the next couple of counties. Again, going through the thread earlier, here's what the suggestions are, plus a couple I've added in: Dorset: Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles Staffordshire: Anna Of The Five Towns by Arnold Bennett The Old Wives' Tale by Arnold Bennett

My point was which was the most famous of the three Dickens that were listed, not which of all the books were most famous, and as I already said, I don't know anything about Mrs Dalloway but I'm happy to have an alternative for this county, but I was merely trying to narrow down the choices of the Dickens books listed. But, I also liked your later suggestion of Sherlock Holmes which to me, is very much quintessentially related to London, now you've reminded me of it! However, while you're passionate about London, and naturally being the capital and largest city, there's bound to be more literature set in the area, but that doesn't mean it should get more focus than any other country - the rest of us want to share the limelight for a change! What I'm thinking is we pick one or possibly two books, and then link to the London Fiction thread for other options if people want to explore further. I don't think we're going to get a consensus, and this may help us narrow down our choices because we can still offer plenty of alternatives in the other thread? Again, my point was that I know nothing about Nicholas Nickleby and from the previous comments, I was under the impression that the link was tenuous, but if you're telling me that it's a much more than that, then it does seem like a very reasonable candidate. So, to summarise, for Greater London, shall we decide between Mrs Dalloway and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes or choose both? As an objective outsider who hasn't studied London fiction, the Sherlock Holmes suits me better as famously associated with London, but again, I'm happy to have two as alternatives if we can't decide, alongside the link to the other thread. And for County Durham, shall we go for Nicholas Nickleby as it is more famous than the Cookson books, despite the author being more famous for that county?

If you like The House of Night series, I would definitely recommend the Vampire Academy series, by Richelle Mead.

I was so disappointed at the end of the programme, I couldn't even get the words out. I can't believe Frances won. Throughout the series they have commented on her style over substance, and surely taste has to be the most important thing? She was not the even best baker on the day from the comments the judges made on the night. Having said that, the final challenge was awful, and doomed to failure from the start. Who can possibly make and decorate a three tier wedding cake in six hours???? If you work it out on a points system, first up, the pie challenge. Based on the comments of the judges, the contestants were ranked: 1. Ruby (3 points) 2. Frances (2 points) 3. Kimberley (1 point) Then the technical bake of the pretzels, ranked: 1. Kimberley (3 points) 2. Ruby (2 points) 3. Frances (1 point) So after two challenges, that makes it: 1. Ruby - 5 points, 2. Kimberley - 4 points 3. Frances - 3 points. Then it was that ridiculous showstopping wedding cake. Ruby. Decoration - poor colours and theme, little skill shown. Taste/bake of top layer - excellent; second layer - over baked, but taste good; bottom layer - over baked, taste quite good. Frances. Decoration - good, but not great, all decoration on one side. Taste/bake of top layer - not balanced between icing and cake; second layer - well baked and taste good; bottom layer - baked well, but rhubarb and ginger didn't work. Kimberley. Decoration - not enough skill. Taste/bake of top layer - very good; second layer - well baked, taste good; bottom layer - dry but flavour very good. However, during the post bake discussion, the judges then contradicted their previous comments saying that ALL Frances's layers tasted good and after the result was announced Paul said EACH layer was superb - that just doesn't add up????? So, Ruby's definitely last in that challenge. Based on the judges comments (and forgive me if I've got this wrong), they've said all along that Frances is style over substance, but the only way for her to win that challenge is IF they then rate style over substance, based on their first judging comments, and they've put her ahead of Kimberley, putting them all on the same points, and then as Paul stated in the final comments, it all came down to the Showstopper, which surely makes the rest of the contest pointless? I thought Kimberley should have won based on the bakes on the day, but I also think it was ridiculous to ask them to bake a wedding cake, with three different flavours of cake, and decorate it, all within six hours, and expect it to be actually fit for a wedding!!! All the previous winners have produced cook books, and I know I rave about Jo Wheatley's books, but I'd quite happily buy books from both Ed's from Series 1 and John from last year, but I would never buy a book by Frances, because too often the flavour wasn't good, so then I can only she that she just sticks to the decorative elements, and doesn't worry about the baking itself, which isn't the hallmark of a good baker, as far as I can see. I know that shouldn't be a consideration for the judges, but it did strike me after the result was announced. It was still a fantastic series, and I loved everything about it except that final week, and I also hope a move to BBC One wont change it.

With the extra detail, I think that might be it too, frankie. I think it was the celebrity thing that threw me in the first post, Bloodmorphed, as I couldn't remember that detail, but it's been a long time since I read it, but it starts with the sentence, "Just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse, I saw the dead guy standing next to my locker." The vampyre then quotes the ceremonial words to her and points his finger at her, and she is "marked" to become a vampyre, and has to change from her normal high school, to the vampyre "House of Night" which is the name of the series.

It doesn't say now long the episodes will be, which is really annoying!!! I'm hoping it's hour long instalments too. Eddie Marsen is usually excellent in everything he does, and he also generally has a good eye for projects, so I'm hoping this is a good sign. When I read through the last few posts on the thread, I did chuckle to see Alan was painting a picture after being inspired on it, and I did wonder if he'd ever finished it You're right though, GET A MOVE ON SUSANNA!!!!

Anyone can nominate books and express their opinions on the books for each county, and the only criteria is supposed to be the book most famous for being set in a particular county. If there are books that are equally as famous as each other, then we can go for two alternatives for that county (like we've done with Surrey) or go with what the majority want to pick. I'm trying to try and get a consensus on a book for each county before moving onto the next two, so at the moment, we're discussing Greater London and County Durham. (I have made a note of books for other counties that have been mentioned, but I'm trying to keep it to a couple of counties at a time to avoid too much confusion!)

I think you're probably right about the Greater London category, willoyd, so that narrows it down to: Greater London: Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens Bleak House by Charles Dickens Kay, I don't think we should rule out having two Dickens, as he's the first author most people would associate with London, so it's hard to see past him. I can't comment on Mrs Dalloway as I know little about it, but of the Dickens, my personal feeling is that Oliver Twist is the most famous of the three mentioned, so that would be my choice, but I suspect this is one of the counties we might end up having to have a poll for! I'll add another county into the mix, to keep us moving, and since there's been a bit of discussion in the last few posts, let's get County Durham started, as it does seem to be one we'll have very few candidates for. I've done a bit of digging and come up with a couple of other suggestions. So, the options so far: County Durham: Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens The Fifteen Streets by Catherine Cookson The Black Velvet Gown by Catherine Cookson The Legacy of Hartlepool Hall by Paul Torday Obviously, Nicholas Nickleby is the most famous of those books, but is the link to the county too tenuous? The other three books are all set in the county, but which is the most famous? I'm in the dark with all of them, so I don't know what to choose, as although I've heard of Cookson, I've never read any of her books so I'm not familiar with the titles, and Torday's book is very recent, so seems unlikely to have a claim to fame yet, but perhaps because books set in the county are rare, this could be one of those exceptional counties that gets a very modern book?

Yes! I do love how ditzy Hayley is as well as Lily now she's able to properly deliver lines and be so cutting. Phil absolutely cracks me up though, but I think my favourite is probably between him, Cam and Gloria. One of my favourite episodes is

I did mean the people at home and work, but you're still my real-life friends, aren't you? You're not a figment of my imagination, I hope? 'Cos that would be really weird since I've posted books to you, and had some back Glad to find someone else who enjoys it though Just when I think I've found my favourite character another episode comes along and I change my mind!

Wow, this post hasn't been updated for a while!!! Just seen the press release about the BBC adaptation: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/jonathan-strange-mr-norrell-bbc-one-casting-release.html Loved the book, but not sure about a television adaptation, although at least it's a seven part series, so they've given themselves time to tell the story.

I Modern Family! Unfortunately, no-one else I know does

Back to London ... I have to admit, I don't know enough about the geography of London, so I'm not sure what the best option is? While it is only a short story or novella at best, you can buy A Christmas Carol as a separate physical book, and it is synonymous with the City of London, and for me, I can't think of anything else that is more famous as that story. As we do still have the Greater London county to choose, that can be our main discussion, and I suspect this may be one where we might need a poll to decide! Based on your earlier comments, willoyd, I think that would leave Greater London looking like this? Greater London: Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf Hawksmoor by Peter Ackroyd Dan Leno and the Limehouse Golem by Peter Ackroyd The Crimson Petal and the White Michel Faber Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

I can't keep up with how fast this thread is moving!!! (and I've got a cake baking in the oven and I have to keep popping out to check on it We could do a poll for some counties if needed, but I still think we need to have the discussion first. My personal feeling is that we are all book literate and have a good knowledge of books generally, even if we haven't read them, so if someone suggests a book that no-one else has heard of, it's going to be difficult to say that it's the most famous. Having said that, I think like willoyd has pointed out, we are going to struggle to find a single book for some counties. I'm happy to make the final decision on a book, but I think it won't hurt to have two alternatives for the same county in some instances, especially if they are both famous for their setting, and on the whole, after the discussion we do seem to be generally in agreement. Maybe what we could do is list alternatives for now, and then when we've got a full set of books for the counties, come back and do polls for the ones we have two options for. As I've said before, when everyone comes to start the challenge, they can only use this as a resource if they want, and choose their own favourites, or mix and match whatever they feel like.

I've just re-read my own comment back, and realise I didn't word it very well. I meant to say, that while I love it as a book, it's only half set in Surrey, so therefore, I think Emma or, based on other comments, The War of the Worlds is more famous for Surrey. It's difficult to dissociate your own feelings for a book from it's fame/notoriety, isn't it?! I think we should probably go for another either/or on this county as it seems to me that both have equally compelling arguments for their inclusion as the Surrey book.

Ok, well Lorna Doone definitely for Somerset, so it's still a toss up with Surrey. Typically, since you've both chosen the other two, I would prefer to go for A Room With A View as I just loved the book although I haven't read it for a long time, but it is only the second half that really chimes with Surrey. I don't have a problem with more than one Jane Austen in the list, and although Emma is not one of my favourites (by a long chalk), I can see it's association with the county, and wouldn't mind it being chosen either! Can anyone else add to the discussion on Surrey? While we're waiting for more thoughts on Surrey, we'll pick up on some of the other counties which have had some discussion, and I thought we might as well weigh in with City of London and Greater London. These are the nominations which I think are famously associated with those areas from those suggested: City of London: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf Hawksmoor by Peter Ackroyd Dan Leno and the Limehouse Golem by Peter Ackroyd The Crimson Petal and the White Michel Faber Greater London: Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

About two thirds of the way through Lovesong now, and one of the main characters has just made an extremely drastic choice, and I can't wait to find out the ramifications of it! Can't remember who recommended it, but it's fantastic, so thanks!

Hello Kelly!

Hello Andi, welcome to the forum

Hello Selina, glad you decided to join us! I loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society when I read it a few years ago. There's a thread dedicated to it here when you've finished it, so you can let us have your thoughts on it. :smile2

From all the discussions I can see, can we stick to these two counties next, then I'll move onto the next batch of suggestions once we have a consensus. I know there was already some voting/seconding, but it's getting a bit lost in other comments, so can you just confirm which you think is the most famous for each of these two: Surrey: So far we have: The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells A Room With a View by E. M. Forster Emma by Jane Austen I've never read The War of the Worlds so I don't know how strong the association with Surrey would be, but I'd be happy with either of the other two as knowing they are (mostly, the case of A Room With A View) set there, and I think are famous for that country. I don't think there's an agreement on any one of these in particular, so please can you say which one you think fits the criteria of the most famous in Surrey. Thanks Somerset: Janet has suggested Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore, and possibly Persuasion and Northanger Abbey which are partially set there. The other book I thought of was the The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding which Kay also mentioned. Willoyd has also mentioned Far Distant Oxus by Arthur Ransome, but I'm from this area and have lived here all my life, and I've never heard of it, so I wonder if it's famous enough. [Edit: Sorry, I just re-read the post and you said you weren't recommending it! ] Lorna Doone was the one that sprung to mind for me, and seems to strike the right note with everyone else that I can see so far - everyone happy with that as our final choice?