You’re probably living under a rock if you haven’t heard of the latest phenomenon to hit bookstores: the Fifty Shades of Grey series. It’s categorized as an “erotic novel” (aka Mommy Porn), but there’s really so much more to it than that. It’s an incredibly unrealistic love story about a virgin that finds herself in a serendipitous S&M relationship with a gazillionaire. Of course, he steals her virginity and subjects her to the lifestyle he knows and loves. Hooked yet?
While I got easily hooked into their love saga, I couldn’t ignore the extraordinarily explicit sex scenes. Honest to God, I had to Google some of the things he mentioned because I had no idea what they were. I was in such shock and awe while reading these scenes, but somehow just couldn’t put the book down.
I found myself in an incriminating situation in the Nashville airport, actually, thanks to this series. I had just finished the first book and literally could not wait to start the next, Fifty Shades Darker. However, when I got to the airport bookstore, I proceeded to have an incredibly awkward conversation (with an audience listening, naturally) with the cashier about what the book was about because she had seen it literally fly off the shelves, being purchased by women of all ages. I’m sure my face was a deep shade of crimson while explaining the plot; I felt deeply judged by the people listening. I was openly talking about a kinky sex relationship! With a stranger!
And that’s when it hit me. I shouldn’t be ashamed about this book. Fifty Shades has been a #1 best seller for weeks now, so clearly PLENTY of people are into it. Granted, I don’t intend on passing this book along to my grandmother, but it’s something fresh and new that women can talk about (and boy is it a conversation topic!). It’s essentially porn and, lemme tell ya, my girlfriends just swoon over it. If this book is what gets you going, then don’t hide it—trust me, your boyfriend will appreciate it if you don’t hide it! The point is that it’s just a book and if people judge you for reading it… well, they clearly haven’t fallen under the Christian Grey spell yet.
Have you ever felt embarrassed for reading “Fifty Shades” in public?
Hey yall! I'm an advertising major at the one and only University of Texas at Austin. I'm a major foodie and I'm pretty sure all of my teeth are sweet. I love crafting, decorating, and making things cute. I'm a sucker for trashy reality TV, puppies, and 90s music.
Read more of my musings over at www.frommeganwithlove.com
Megan Hodges has 5 post(s) on Love Twenty
5 comments
Jola says:
Aug 16, 2012
When my best girlfriend and I went on a trip to Berlin, I forgot to back something to read. My bestie let me borrow her Kindle but there were only the Shades of Grey books on it. =/ It’s been kind of funny reading it, because nearly all the sentences are repeated and we started counting the times someone blushed or caught his breath. I skipped all the kinky sex scenes – hell no, I didn’t want to know what crazy stuff they did, I’m studying history and we had a whole course about torture chambers and the pain you could give to a human, thanks, that had been enough – so I’d finished all three books by the end of the trip. Okay, I didn’t read much more then 50 pages of the second book, but that counts as well! The story is nothing new, I don’t like Ana, Christian acts like a real idiot, they are like a l w a y s drinking wine or talking food…
But: honestly, it was worth to read because EVERYONE is talking about the series and making fun of it and I wouldn’t miss THAT for the world! So if you’ve got some time left, invite your girls over and read the books together. You can skip as much as you want, the story really is simple, but it can be a lot of fun to talk about it with your friends.
Whitney says:
Aug 16, 2012
I really hated Fifty Shades. I mean as a woman I felt like it was a step backwards. Signing a contract to give your life away to an egotistical maniac? Umm.. No.
Sarah says:
Dec 17, 2012
As a 23 year old women I really enjoyed the books. I have read all 3 and would read them again if I had the chance. Just because some people are imitated by the plot doesn’t mean you have to be. I was a little stressed about reading them but got into them with in the first chapter. Always remember don’t judge a book by it cover!!
Korin says:
Dec 19, 2012
I’ve been reading it on my iPad, so no one saw the cover, but when I finished the first book I had to tell my friend how good it was. She laughed at first, but then told me how she was thinking about reading them too! I’m on the last book right now and have fallen in love with fifty myself! So good, i do recommend!!
M says:
May 8, 2013
I have a real problem with this series and with this article for promoting it. “Fifty Shades of Grey” is not just about kinky sex- it is about a woman in an abusive and controlling relationship. I am appalled at the way books are flying off shelves (by the way, the word “literally” was very misused above; books can’t literally fly) and at how women of all ages are reading them. These books contain a HORRIBLE message for women. As a website striving to cultivate smart, savvy, progressive, 20-something women, I feel that lovetwenty.com has done these women a great disservice by advocating this book. Women shouldn’t be embarrassed by their sexuality, but a literary culture that promotes the abuse and control of women by their partners is something of which we should ALL be embarrassed.