Today I am stepping outside of my usual fitness / running or Brennen related posts. Incidentally the description of my blog is “A chronicle of the everyday challenges of being a mother, a runner and everything in between” so we will call this an “everything in between” post.
I am probably one of the last people to have jumped onto the Fifty Shades bandwagon. Despite all of the hype about the books I never had a strong desire to rush out to the store to get my hands on a copy. I actually only decided to read it because my friend enjoyed it and she lent me her copy.
The book is definitely a quick and easy ready. As I write this blog entry I only have about 75 more pages to read before it is finished so by the time this actually posts to my blog I will probably have completed it.
I am not going to summarize the book for you, that is what the backside of books are for. However, I will say that when I initially started reading it I was a bit skeptical. I mean how often do you hear of a 21 year old college girl who is a virgin? When I posted this question on Twitter several people agreed with me and one said that it happens. I get that it happens. But I would say it’s definitely a rarity. And on top of that the girl has a chance meeting with a wealthy businessman who takes a liking to her. Again, not so much based in reality. It’s also not the most well written book ever. I found myself skipping over areas that didn’t capture my attention and there were a lot of descriptions that were used repetitively. But let’s be honest, people aren’t reading it for the writing they are reading it for the erotic scenes and the underlying love story. So if that is what you are looking for, then you definitely should read it. It delivers on both of those.
It’s no surprise that housewives everywhere have been using the Fifty Shades series as a catalyst to reignite passion in their relationships and in the bedroom. (In fact, many adult stores and websites have capitalized on this by offering products inspired by 50 Shades of Grey.) Others are appalled by the scenes that are played out between the couple in the book. I fall into neither of those categories. I actually expected the scenes to be more risqué than they turned out to be. I also didn’t feel that the book has prompted me to reevaluate what I want out of a relationship nor has it resulted in any sort of sexual awakening to occur within me. That’s not to say that I didn’t find the scenes to be explicit or enjoyable to read, it’s just that my awakening happened long before this book came along. I’ve reached a point in my life where vanilla isn’t even an option. Not in any area of my life. I prefer something more flavorful with lots of sprinkles, nuts, brownie pieces, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and yes…even a cherry on top.
What about you? What is your take on Fifty Shades?
Can’t say I was impressed overall, but I felt like I needed to read it to join in the collective convo. I wrote a divorcee’s perspective on the book on my blog. Hint – I don’t think it’s the sex that is so attractive to many women:)
I read your post and its def an interesting perspective that I didn’t think of. I’m not a divorcee quite yet but I actually found Ana to be annoying due to her naivete. I can see how some would find the idea of a contract comforting especially those who have gone through hell and back in a troubled marriage. If only real life was that black and white.
Her naivete drove me crazy too…almost enough to want to smack her:)
Lol And let’s not forget about her endless internal struggle between her conscious and her inner goddess. Ugh.
“Ugh” pretty much sums it up, I think. I definitely think Fifty Shades makes a better party theme than a book:)
It IS a great party theme for sure!
I thought the first book was the most porn-y (is that even a word)? The second is calmer with an actually okay story line and I’m not on the 3rd. It’s getting repetitive (she needs to stop hugging her inner goddess) and I’m kind of them having sex… it’s just a given now.
I’ll be getting started on the 2nd one soon. For research purposes of course.
I picked up this several weeks ago and have since read through the entire series. I liked them all. With that being said I tend to take books for face value and not look too deeply into them. I just like something light to read and this fit the bill for me =)
This was the fastest I have gotten through a book in years. So I will definitely be reading the others. Great entertainment!
I read it out of curiosity. While some of the spicier scenes were intriguing at first, I ended up skipping over them. I think that it’s the sex that may sell the first book, but women keep reading because they want to believe they are capable of “fixing” a man and his issues.
And every woman that tries that will fail. But funny how most keep trying….
I read these a couple weeks ago and I just. Don’t know. I read them all but I can’t say that I loved them as much as everybody else seems to be enjoying them.
I do like how you don’t allow vanilla in your life though. Anything with sprinkles is better.
Sprinkles makes everything WAY is better.
I think that there is so much hype built up around these books probably more than necessary.
Neither of us have read it! Think we’d fall into the same category as you not having it awaken something in us. If you don’t think it was as risque as it was lead to be then we’d also probably be similar to you in that! Loooove –> “lots of sprinkles, nuts, brownie pieces, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and yes…even a cherry on top.” Who knows if we’ll actually get around to reading it or not…..
It’s a fun read but it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get to it. I’ll read the others for your both and you can enjoy it vicariously through me.
I haven’t read it. I don’t plan to either. I’ve heard enough about how awful the writing is. The topic/theme doesn’t do anything for me at all. I just refuse to buy into it and put money into the pocket of a poor writer, just because there’s hype around it, and maybe the book has some exciting scenes in it. But I’m a writer, so maybe my view is super skewed. Lol.
Sounds like you made the right choice for you!
I haven’t picked up the book, not sure if I even will. Not because of the eroticness of it, just because it doesn’t sound too interesting to me. Plus, the books I read, I tend to like more realistic books, ya know?
Totally get that!
I’m laughing that some hotels are capitalizing on it…. and I think USA Today reported one hotel replaced the Bible with it?
Serious?! I hadn’t heard that. That’s a little out there….
I’m on the third book and found them boring. I think it was the overuse of certain words (who clambers that much?) And even the “racier” scenes became dull in short order. Long and short, I borrowed all the books, so at least o didn’t blow roughly $40 on something I didn’t really care for.,
Yeah..I thought I would read all 3 but now I am not feeling the urge to.