Sunday, June 24, 2012

100 Books in 2012: book 52 "Fifty Shades of Grey"

After months of hearing the blogosphere and tweeps talk about this breakout novel by E. L. James, I finally succumbed to peer pressure and got my hands on a copy.  (What really did it was the fact that just about every intelligent woman I know who doesn't read romance has read this, and recommended it.)

Anastasia Steele is having a quarter-life-crisis.  She's about to graduate from college, she's never had a relationship, and she's surrounded by casually wealthy people who make her hyper aware of her own blue-collar raising.  And then she meets Christian Grey, and her world spirals out of control.  Grey is a multimillion dollar entrepreneur with a harsh business reputation and eclectic sexual tastes.  He's intrigued by Ana's innocence, assuming that she will make an ideal Submissive for his BDSM lifestyle.  Ana is captivated by Grey, and while part of her thrills at their sexual exploits in "the Red Room of Pain" (her term for his playroom), her heart is fragile.  Ana is falling in love with the unattainable Grey, and she needs to decide how much pain she's willing to take in pursuit of her heart's desire.

While I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the series, this was a fast-paced summer read.  I love a good trashy novel now and again, and this definitely fits the bill.  For something that supposedly started as Twilight fan fiction, Ana is a slightly stronger character than Bella.  Wounded, brutal Grey, however, is not my favorite romantic hero: not by a long shot.  Still, this was a fun read with plenty of bedroom scenes and tension between the characters.

What's your favorite trashy summer read?  Do you reserve "beach books" for the beach?

8 comments:

  1. So many of my friends have urged me to read this book. We're going on vacation soon, so maybe I'll finally break down and buy it.

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    1. It's a good vacation read, but definitely up the scale from most "trashy romances". You'll get through it fast: let me know what you think!

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  2. No p,ans to read this, not succumbing to pressure.

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    1. Not even to see what the fuss is all about? ;)

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  3. I don't generally read erotica although your review does make it sound intriguing. I think the last "trashy novel" I read was Peyton Place when I was 15, and by today's standards, it wouldn't even qualify as erotica.

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    1. Karen, I usually only get as far as trashy romance: this was my first foray into true erotica. There are definitely parts of the story that were intriguing...if you decide to read it, let me know what you think!

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  4. I'm still waiting to get my hands on this one. I've heard a lot of things about it and I'm not expecting a superbly written book, but a trashy read is nice now and then!

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    1. Absolutely! There should always be books that require very little effort but offer a lot of entertainment. Enjoy it once you get around to reading it!

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