From the Bookshelf of Bookworm Bitches …

Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1)

E.L. James

Start date: June 1, 2012

Finish date: June 30, 2012

Discussion: ~2012 Monthly Book Discussions~

Why we're reading this: June 2012 Book of the Month
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~2012 Monthly Book Discussions~

Jan 2012: The Night Circus
By Michelle , Queen Bitchelle · 177 posts · 677 views

last updated Jan 02, 2022 06:44AM

Oct 2012: A Discovery of Witches
By Michelle , Queen Bitchelle · 142 posts · 663 views

last updated Nov 16, 2021 11:05AM

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What Members Thought

Mar 27, 2012 Stacey rated it really liked it

3.5 I liked it well enough, but it wasn't a 'can't put it down' book for me. I loved Christian's comment about being 50 shades of fucked up. He got that right. Ana's "inner goddess" was like a character and started to annoy me after awhile. It didn't end the way I thought it might, so it's good that it wasn't predictable with me rolling my eyes and tossing the book.

I'll probably read the next one to see what happens. ...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Michaela rated it really liked it

Shelves: nsep-book-club, series, review-written, 2012-reads

I'm so torn on how to rate this book. On the one hand, it was very hard to put down, as it captivated my full attention (almost) to the very end. There were many a late (and I emphasize LATE) nights, reading this book.

And then on the other hand, I found myself annoyed while reading this book. I felt that the author was trying too hard to use big, fancy words and ended up using the same ones over and over again. Some of the phrases she used were so repetitive that I found myself rolling my eyes ...more

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May 31, 2012 Cindy rated it it was ok

I read plenty of crappy books. I've read the Sookie Stackhouse books and they're nothing more than vampire porn and bad writing. I've read romance novels since I was 14 so I'm well versed in cheesy and saccharine writing. I've read the Twilight books and delighted in the romance story even though I cringed every time Bella played the role of the weak female. I've read all these books even though they were panned by critics and only adored by the fans. So, despite the bad reviews for Fifty Shades I read plenty of crappy books. I've read the Sookie Stackhouse books and they're nothing more than vampire porn and bad writing. I've read romance novels since I was 14 so I'm well versed in cheesy and saccharine writing. I've read the Twilight books and delighted in the romance story even though I cringed every time Bella played the role of the weak female. I've read all these books even though they were panned by critics and only adored by the fans. So, despite the bad reviews for Fifty Shades of Grey, I picked it up. And I don’t understand all the fanfare surrounding this book. The critics were right. It’s a poorly written romance novel with lots of sex and one dimensional characters. After reading some other reviews, it's not hard to see that this book was initially Twilight fan fiction. In both, you've got the shy brunette who feels unworthy of attention and constantly shifts around awkwardly (or bites her lip) and the perfect, dark, rich, mysterious man who sweeps her off her feet because he just can't resist her innocence, awkwardness, and mystery even though she’s an open book. But I guess what makes Twilight more palatable is that it was all told under the guise of teenage love. So it's not as shocking to read about a girl who's self conscious because she's a hormonal teenager. And it's not so bad to read about a domineering guy because he's from the early 1900s and a sparkly vampire (yes I'm laughing). This book takes all that away and sees the relationship for what it is: a controlling, damaged man with a “submissive” woman who eventually is so strong that she not only challenges him but changes him. Or at least I’m assuming that’s the hope as the end of the book finally leaves me with a little respect for Anastasia. So, like a car wreck, I keep reading even though I wish I wouldn't. But since I’m apparently in the mood to laugh at the unrealistic lives these characters are leading and in the mood to find this “happy ending” (pun intended-ha!) I’ll continue reading Books 2 and 3.
So, It's certainly a fun and a fast read and perfect for these upcoming summer beach days. But I’d still rather read Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, or Sandra Brown to get my romance fix.
...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Blarneygod rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I don't entirely know what to say about this book. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. It started off as a fast and easy read, but about halfway through the book, I got bored with all of the sex scenes. The book felt very repetitious. Also the main characters were not very likeable. I did not see the appeal of Christian (who was supposed to be irresistible). As for Anastasia, her emotional ping pong match with herself got tiresome rather quickly. This book has become famous for being shock ...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Andrea rated it it was ok

This book got so much hype, so I thought I'd give it a read even though it's out of my usual genre. I should have just trusted my instinct...so not worth 400 pages.

I guess erotica is not my thing, please I was not a fan of the ending. ...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Cindy rated it did not like it

Shelves: didnt-live-up-to-the-hype

I knew this book was going to be bad. I mean, it started life as poorly written Twilight fan fiction for crying out loud. And it ended being published as poorly written creepy porn. Now, a zillion people read this book and I generally say anything that gets people reading is a good thing. Except this. This is not a good thing. At all. In any way shape or form. But, E.L. James is laughing all the way to the bank so good on her.

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Sep 05, 2012 Felisa rated it it was ok

This was mediocre. The shock value and erotic elements of the book did not phase me. Anastasia's character was bland, and I just couldn't root for her. If you want shocking or BDSM erotica, I would recommend Anne Rice (A. N. Roquelaure in this case)'s Sleeping Beauty Quartet. ...more

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