Desire only to sit on cushion eating chocolate and watching Xmas specials.

Pride and Prejudice

Mid-1990s project between the BBC and A&E to commemorate the 200th anniversary of this splendid novel. Try the Republic of Pemberley for all things Austen.

Milk Tray (Sunday 1 January)

Assortment/sampler of Cadbury's chocolate. Much better than Hershey's.

Lifeboat

My research on this is inconclusive so far. My best guess is that she's referring to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a coastal rescue operation.

1471

British Telecom's service that gives you the number of who rang you last.

Country Casuals and Jaeger

Clothing lines scorned by Bridget but embraced by her mother Pam. For what it's worth, author Julian Barnes also uses Jager pejoratively.

EastEnders (Tuesday 3 January)

BBC soap opera.

Blind Date

All I can say is, I hope it's better than the US version. Ooof.

Hello! (Wednesday 15 March)

European celebrity-obsessed tabloid. Better coverage of the royals, footballers, and who-the-heck-is-that European celebrities than People.

Grand Marnier (Monday 20 March)

Here's a recipe for the souffle Bridget tries to make.

British Home Cooking (Sunday 19 March)

Filling, but not nutritious. Creamy, greasy, meaty. Like Two Fat Ladies would make. Click here for some of their recipes.

In researching this term, I came across a cookbook entitled Mrs. Beeton's Best of British Home Cooking, which is edited by someone named BRIDGET JONES, who, apparently, is quite the cookbook author. She even has a book called Essential Cook's Hints & Tips: A Ready Reference at Your Fingertips, which the other Bridget clearly needs - I wonder if it has a section on correcting blue soup? The real question is, is there a connection here, or is it just too amazing a coincidence for words?

Alsatian (Wednesday 4 January)

A German Shepherd. Friendly, smart, loyal, and protective. And v big.

Women Who Love Too Much (Wednesday 4 January)

Robin Norwood's self-help book du decade. Author later admitted in Susan Faludi's Backlash that she invented the "case studies" based on her own experiences. But Bridget wouldn't know that, would she?

For a look at what else is on Bridget's nightstand (or on those shelves Gary is supposed to build), look at Bridget Jones's Reading List by veganvenus on Amazon.com.