Book Club: Fifty Shades of Grey

Last week, E. hosted our book club meeting at her new place.  She and L. had just moved in, but E. made us feel at home, serving up a bunch of snacks from Trader Joe's (mac and cheese bites! fruit salsa and chips! flatbread!) and yummy raspberry lemonade.

Besides talking about grocery shopping, summer plans, and the responsibility involved in raising kids, we chatted about our selection, One Day—the characters, the plot, the shocking twist near the end (don't worry, I won't spoil anything here).  We thought that the premise was intriguing: the novel spans nearly two decades and moves through the events of Emma and Dexter's lives, whether separate or apart, by showing us their story on the same day—July 15—of each year.

But most of us felt that the novel went on a little too long and that the characters weren't exactly likable.  Yes, it's enjoyable to read about characters who are different and unique and flawed, but they have to have sympathetic qualities to make me care and keep reading.  Since there is a movie based on the book, we were also curious about how they adapted the story to a film version and eager to check it out sometime.  I could appreciate the book was well-written (great dialogue!), but overall, it sounded like we all had higher expectations for it.

Next up, we're turning to a book with a lot of recent buzz: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. As a group, we've heard plenty of positive and negative reviews, so now it's time for us to see what all the gossip is about.  This pick sounds just right for summer reading!

via

Amazon.com Description:

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

This book is intended for mature audiences.

Show More

Show Less