From the Bookshelf of Turning Pages At Midnight…

Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1)

E.L. James

Start date: December 15, 2016

Finish date: December 23, 2016

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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What Members Thought

Apr 21, 2012 Mochaspresso rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, crazy-love, books-to-movies

Well, I think all of the hype surrounding this book falls into two categories. 1) Those who love a decent guilty pleasure trashy romance and 2) those who could care less about that and just don't want to be the one person around the water cooler discussions that hasn't read it. I happen to fall into the first category and accept the book for what it is. It won't win any literary prizes and I often wanted to smack the main female character myself for being so silly. However, it is an interesting ...more

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Jul 13, 2012 O'Death rated it did not like it

Shelves: erotica

The only reason why I started reading the first book in this series is because of all the hype and "steamy" BDSM parts. Unfortunately I haven't done my homework before hand and, boy, do I regret it.
First of all, the book started as a fan fiction of Twilight. That there should be a tale tale sign of the quality of this book.
Much like Twilight, this book is a total disappointment. The plot, the characters, the writing itself are painfully annoying most of the time. If you think the premises of The only reason why I started reading the first book in this series is because of all the hype and "steamy" BDSM parts. Unfortunately I haven't done my homework before hand and, boy, do I regret it.
First of all, the book started as a fan fiction of Twilight. That there should be a tale tale sign of the quality of this book.
Much like Twilight, this book is a total disappointment. The plot, the characters, the writing itself are painfully annoying most of the time. If you think the premises of this book is interesting and promises dark, hot BDSM scenes, characters that develope throughout the book and explore their sexuality (like I thought) think again. In fact, if that's what you're looking for go read Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty Chronicles and you will not be disappointed.
The only interesting character is, of course, Christian Grey. Unfortunately there isn't enough of him in this book to save it or even make it remotely good. The book is written from Ana's point of view and just like the "fascinating" Bella of Twilight she is self absorbed, obsessed with Grey's looks, bipolar, screaming for attention, childish and spoiled (NOT naive). If you've read Twilight you know what I'm talking about so no point on me elaborating to much on this.
When it comes to the writing itself, frankly I just wanna slap James and send her back to school. Either that or shake her hand, because never in my life have I read a book with such a limited vocabulary and so many annoying phrases. I cringed every time I read "oh my" and the extremely ridiculous "inner goddess" phrase. What the hell is that about anyway?! I can tolerate it a few times and find it somewhat funny, but for crying out loud, not when it's in every other paragraph.
I must say it took all my self discipline to continue reading the book after the first few chapters. The only reason why I did it was for the infamous BDSM parts. Which unfortunately fail to deliver. I'm sorry but I cannot approve of the way these were written. The idea behind these scenes is good and I appreciate it but the final outcome is a total disappointment (this seems to be the word that best describes the book). I for one don't understand how is this book famous for it's sexiness and kinkiness when the author can't even use proper terms: referring to your vagina as exclusively "there" or "down there" is anything but sexy or kinky. The same for the male parts.
All in all, this is the sexy version of Twilight with normal character (no sparkly, vegetarian vampires or horny werewolves). And just like Twilight, if you want quality reading of this sort go read Anne Rice. That woman knows how to write a good book, with strong characters, and a plot that will blow your mind. If you think Fifty Shades of Grey is sexy, kinky or BDSM think again. ...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Claire Riley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kick-ass-female, damaged-characters, hot-male

Wow!!! This book is about so much more than the sex as everyone is saying. Its so much, much more than that. Its about love. Pain. Sadness. Finding yourself. Losing yourself. But yes, yes its about the sex too! ;0)

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May 15, 2012 Nefertiti rated it it was ok

I'm trying to put myself in the heroine's shoes. If I were not only new to BDSM., but also sex, and involved with a ridiculously handsome millionaire with emotional issues, would I be overemotional, insecure, and at times want to call it quits? Probably. Recognizing that makes forgiving the heroine's flaws much easier.

3 stars.

Excuse typos. I'm on my kindle fire and editting is very difficult. ...more

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