Chart Throb. The ultimate pop quest.

Ninety-five thousand hopefuls. Three judges. Just one winner.

And that's Calvin Simms, the genius behind the show.

Calvin always wins because Calvin writes the rules. But this year, as he sits in judgement upon the Mingers, Clingers and Blingers whom he has pre-selected in his carefully scripted 'search' for a star, he has no idea that the rules are changing. The 'real' is about to be put back into 'reality' television and Calvin and his fellow judges are about to become ex-factors themselves.

Ben Elton, author of Popcorn and Dead Famous, returns to blistering comic satire with a savagely hilarious deconstruction of the world of modern television talent shows.

I really enjoyed this book - I've always been suspicious of some aspects of X Factor, but I think this book is definitely an eye-opener even for the most cynical of viewers! I loved the obvious comparisons between Calvin, Beryl & Rodney and Simon, Sharon and Louis - I think Sharon Osbourne must have upset Ben Elton at some point though, because Beryl definitely comes across as the worst judge!!

I've still been watching the current series of X Factor and it's been funny to spot things that are in the book, for example the constant "I want this SO much" and "Own that song/stage/etc".

I'm setting up a Bookring for this book.

This is the order for the Chart Throb Bookring:

1. etripney

2. BookGroupMan

3. TheDunedan

4. Lippycow

... Then back to Simmer

Usual Bookring guidelines apply:

1. When you receive the book, make a journal entry to let the previous person know that you've got it.

2. When you're done with the book, make another journal entry explaining what you thought of it (this can be as long or as short as you'd like). Then PM the next person on the list for their contact details and post it along to them.

3. Try to be finished with the book within 4 to 6 weeks.

If there are any questions, please let me know and I hope you all enjoy the book! :)

Recieved in book ring. I am reading a book at the momment but will try to get this read over Christmas and sent on.

Really sorry, Forgot all about this book. Will read it from tonight and hopefully get it moved on by next week. Sorry Simmer for stalling this!!! I promise I will move it on asap.

Finally got it read. So sorry for hogging it for so long!!!!!
Good story very funny and actually quite believable which is a bit scary.

I can certainly see the resemblence to Simon, Sharon and Louis

Have it all parceled up and will post it to next on list in the morning.

Once again - SORRY!

Thanks guys, I had forgotten I was on this 'ring, so a nice surprise to come home to today :) I will probably read this next as light relief after Ali Smith's The Accidental

A bit like reality TV shows, you don’t want to watch/read, but it’s strangely compelling bubblegum; not so much a road-crash, more like watching cosmetic surgery with commentary by Ant and Dec ;)

This is a straightforward hatchet job on X Factor, complete with the manipulative svengali Calvin Simms (Cowell), grotesque transexual mother figure Beryl Blenheim (both Sharon *and* Ozzy Osbourne!) and the pathetic fall-guy Rodney Root (Walsh) steering a cast of "Clingers, Blingers and Mingers" through the stage-managed ‘singing’ competition. The HRH plot is ridiculous, the deranged Shaiana...and twist, laughable, if it weren’t so obviously contrived. You known what, I really like Ben Elton’s writing, but this satire is a bit heavy-handed, lazy, but almost gruesomely addictive!

Thank you for sharing Simmer.

RELEASE NOTES:

Passing on to TheDunedan...enjoy :)

Thank you the book arrived this morning.

I finished this book today. I found it an enjoyable lighthearted read. I thought of the characters as Simon,Sharon and Louis rather than Calvin, Beryl and Rodney. I will be looking out for the various aspects of the production plans next time I watch the X Factor ! Definately makes you cynical about who gets through !
I will send to the next person once I have their address.

Sorry - I put this book to one side awaiting next address and then forgot to send on when I received the details.I have posted it off to Lippycow this afternoon. Sorry again - hope you enjoy it.

I thought this book was N*E*V*E*R going to arrive :) But phew - it DID today.... Looking forward to reading it. Thanks!

Here is a copy of the PM sent to Simmer nearly 3 months ago:Begin forwarded message:

From: "BookCrossing Private Messenger"
Date: 19 September 2009 22:17:29 BST
To: *****
Subject: COPY: Chart throb (book ring) - sent to Simmer

COPY OF MESSAGE SENT TO Simmer:
http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/Simmer

Hello Simmer,

I have no excuses.... Only a thousand apologies!! I thought this book had
long been sent 'back home' but as I've just found it, clearly I was
mistaken!
Please accept my apologies!

May I have your address please and I'll send it to you immediately.

Thanks again for letting me join the ring :-)

all the best

Lippycow
http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/Lippycow

****
I'll give it a little while longer and if I still dont hear back from Simmer will wild release :-)

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Will be left in the ladies restroom closest to the Oak Room (Diningroom)