We're big readers here at Patch, and in that light, we thought it would be a good idea to get a discussion going on what books we editors and our readers are reading lately.
But the discussion only begins with us. If you've read this week's highlighted book, let us know what you thought of it, and suggest other books for future discussion.
This week, we take a look at a book that has caused quite a stir this summer, both in the U.S. and worldwide - "Fifty Shades of Grey" by British author E.L. James.
First, a little information on the publishing phenomenon that is "Fifty Shades": The erotic novels of the "Fifty Shades" trilogy currently occupy the top three spots on The New York Times' list of best-selling print and e-book fiction, and have sold millions of copies worldwide. The series has been cited by major book stores as the reason for revenue increases in the last quarter, burned in protest by womens groups and lamented by famous authors. Fans, however, remain enthusiastic, and gained a new outlet for their obsession when in July, Universal Pictures announced a film version is in the works.
Now, if the word "erotic" makes you uncomfortable, hold on to your hat. Or simply skip to the next item on your reading list.
"Fifty Shades of Grey" is the story of Anastasia Steele, a slightly awkward and naive young woman who as the story begins is a literature student at a college in Washington. Steele is hijacked by her best friend and roommate to help with an interview for the school newspaper - an interview of Christian Grey, the unbelievably handsome, unbelievably rich and unbelievably young CEO of Grey Enterprises. They meet, the sparks fly and Grey begins to pursue her. It's what young girls everywhere dream of, right?
Wrong. The complication is that Grey's only "relationships" are dominant and submissive - a world of BDSM (sexual preferences that include bondage, discipline, dominant, submissive, sadistic, or masochistic acts) that the inexperienced Steele knows absolutely nothing about.
The book follows their romance, as Steele attempts to balance her love of Grey with caution against his lifestyle, and Grey struggles to give her the relationship she really wants. And, as the genre "erotic novel" suggests, along the way there are some rather descriptive bedroom scenes - descriptive enough that in the author's native U.K. the books have earned the title "Mummy porn."
Have you read this book, or any of the "Fifty Shades" trilogy? What were your thoughts?
Let us know what other books you'd like to discuss for a chance to be involved in next week's Book Club discussion.
lowertaxes
2:10 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
I was dying to read this book with all the hoopla that was out there about it. I waited a long time to get it at the library and after reading it was glad I waited for it and didn't buy it. I thought it was just ok. It was poorly written and I made the mistake of researching it and finding it out was a fan fiction of the Twilight series. I ended up making comparisons through all three books. It was easy to see that it was a sexed up version of Twilight. I hoped through all three books that they would get better but they didn't. Lots of typos and very predictable. If you are looking for a great series I highly suggest the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. That is a series you can't put down.
Sandy Gudiel
2:11 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
I Freakin' loved it! Yes it was a bit much at first but as you read on it was OH MY GAWD! Great books! A MUST READ!!! Can't wait for the MOVIE!
Jane Street
6:53 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Yes, Lowertaxes. Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon is great. I mean, trashy great, but fun and page turning, and well written. I haven't read 50 Shades of Grey.
Cindy Albert
11:56 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
I have just started the third and final installment, Fifty Shades Freed. My book club will be discussing the series as a whole. While the writing is not great literature, I felt the author told the story well. Yes, I would call it Mommy Porn! As a 41-year-old woman, I prefer my erotic imagery in a literary format as opposed to visual. Fifty Shades was not only stimulating, but fun to read. Ana is not taken advantage of, by any means; she goes into the relationship with Christian with her eyes wide open...albeit a little freaked out! They openly discuss his fetishes, about what he likes and dislikes, asks her to be involved in setting her "hard limits". When he crosses the line and she bolts, she chooses to go back to him. Is the story predictable? Yes, of course it is. However, I enjoyed going past the eroticism and into the psyche of what would make a person choose to enter the world of BDSM and what it would take to get them to come out of it. I loved the series and it will stay as part of my permanent collection. My husband keeps asking why women don't find it demeaning. I think it is because Ana has choices; Christian does not force her to do anything and she finds out that she enjoys a lot of the things he introduces her to. I think if you let your imagination go, especially your sexual imagination, you could really enjoy this for what it is...a fun, sexy love story with some drama mixed in. Have fun!
Charlotte Canelli
6:24 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Several of the librarians at the Morrill Memorial Library have read it, enjoyed it, realizing that reading is all about different tastes and different genres.
http://fromthelibrarycolumn.blogspot.com/2012/07/fifty-shades-of-el-james.html
C Leonard
8:33 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Poorly written. Boring. Juvenile. Might appeal to very young reader (like teen, early 20s). Would not bother to read beyond book one.
Comparing Gabaldon books and Shades of Grey, is like comparing apples and oranges. No comparison!
Karminak
11:01 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
This book is not what it appears. A clinical psychologist has stated that this story is about pedophilia. It is a story of a girl being sexually molested, over and over again, by a male figure with all the power, all the control. It is the classic abuse scenario. Read more about it at this link
http://theulstermanreport.com/2012/08/16/50-shades-of-grey-pedophilia-hiding-in-plain-sight-letter-from-a-reader/
sharon lee scott
3:02 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Have not read 50 Shades Of Grey, not my type of book, but I think all or mostly all genres are lit. My concern about any of the comments above is the so called Clinical psychologist. I am concerned because not everything needs to be anylized. As Freud once said " sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." Why is he saying it is pedophilia? As I understand, from reviews, she is in college, she makes her own decisions, she freely decides to go with him and go back to him, so to me, one she is not a child, therefore not pedophilia, and two she had a choice, was allowed to choice her fate, therefore not abuse. So what is this person talking about? I get from the reviews it is just a fun, enjoyable read. And reading no matter what genres, should be fun and enjoyable! Reading Rocks!
sharon lee scott
3:26 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Okay, checked out the site written by the psychologist. She makes good points, I understand where she is coming from, however, I am a teacher of emotionally disturbed children, I also have a degree in psychology, yes,I agree about her points! However, I have aspurgers syndrom, which is a very high functioning form of autism. I am 54. I tend to talk like a child at times, I was nieve when I got married. But does not mean I was abused as a child or after, sometimes people in the field get to wrapped up in their work or bitterness, and that's when they need to step back. It is up to each to each person to decide what is right and wrong, or what the books they read say to them, if you start to read into everything something that may not be there then you need to look at you. The problem she talks about with the coach and the boys he was said to have abused have nothing to do with this fictional book. I believe maybe she needs to take a break and have some fun or change her field. I speak from expeirence I was in an abusive relationship before my marriage. I am very happy now!