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Important: What do I do?!
  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,349Administrator, Moderator
    So, I've said many times here and elsewhere that 50 Shades is not my cup of literary tea. I've had no plans and no interest in reading it despite the hoopla.

    Well, now I may be a hypocrite. *GASP*

    See, earlier this week, I slipped & fell down the stairs and fractured my tailbone. Um, yeah. Hurt like a bitch. Still hurts. Hurts to do anything at all including breathe, laugh, sneeze or yell for my toddler to please stop "baking cakes" as I hobble into the kitchen to clean up more flour and sprinkles from the ground.

    So, the main dude stayed home yesterday to takeover my Captain role. Unfortunately, he's launching several projects and overseeing some website development, so he could not be home today. He sent my friend to check on me who showed up with some delicious hot breakfast and a gift. The gift? A book. 50 Shades of Grey. Since I can't do much, reading sounds amazeballs. It always sounds amazeballs, but it can be the one upside to being laid up...lots of time to read without being interrupted.

    So here I sit, looking at this book, thinking I have to at least open it and see what the fuss is all about. And the other part of me saying "Nooooo, don't go down that path, sister!"

    I need your votes, my fellow Scaries!! To read or not to read? That is the question. You decide. :)

    community-manager


  • CanadianMamaCanadianMama
    Posts: 9,655Administrator, Moderator
    Don't do it!!! I have no justifications for why though, lol.

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  • Chevys_Mommy
    Posts: 258Member
    Read it! It's actually a really good book!
  • GingersnapGingersnap
    Posts: 7,717Member
    I wouldn't go out and buy it to read, but I read cereal boxes. Try reading it and put it down if you don't like it. Or skip through the parts you don't care for and keep reading. You've got nothing to lose, really, unless you've got a significant to-be-read pile and you don't want to waste the time. 
    image
  • AnonUser35
    Posts: 543Guest
    I too have no interest in reading the book, but it can't hurt to skim it if you have it. If you like what you read, keep reading. If not, pass it on to someone less fortunate.
  • blkrosemommablkrosemomma
    Posts: 296Member
    I started reading it but I have an issue with the writing style. It read like a 12 year old wrote it. Very childish writing. I have heard that at about chapter 5 it gets good, so maybe skip to chapter 5 and if it's good go back and read the beginning?
  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,349Administrator, Moderator
    You're right @gingersnap and @blkrosemomma. I'm just seeing what side of the fence everyone is on. Literary selections can be a very divisive discussion. ;) I like @canadianmama's answer best so far. Great reasons. Haha!!

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  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,349Administrator, Moderator
    @madme, I hear ya! Definitely. I've actually never really been into books that are really erotic/sexual. Just not my preference. But I do think it was a sweet gesture on behalf of my friend. Breakfast and a new book? She knows me pretty well!! ;)

    community-manager


  • momofeveryonemomofeveryone
    Posts: 1,800Member
    thats so nice!!!! and just go ahead and read it, its not like it will take long lol :)
    we got the house!!!!! i have worked so hard for 5 years to get us in a spot to buy! isnt it cute?!?!?!?
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,022
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    well behaved women seldom make history
  • sheykaysheykay
    Posts: 78Member
    I'm reading them. I'm on the 3rd book now and iv found its hard to read. When I like a book Or series I'm finished within a few weeks. However iv been reading the 50 shades series for about 2 months. I think its boring and it doesn't keep my interest, But I bought them all so I'm trying to get threw them and move on to something better!
  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,349Administrator, Moderator
    I'll look it up @mammateeroll :)

    I'm the same way @sheykay. If I start a series and get halfway through then I really like to see it through. It can be hard though. I'm not good at reading things I'm not actively engaged in or captivated by. I like my books to move me. I'm a nerdy bird. :-B

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  • StarsStars
    Posts: 1,055Member
    Go on ...READ IT!  What's summer for other than trashy novels? :D   Read it for what it is ...this non sense about how horribly its edited and its not realistic is nuts.  its a book of fiction.  Fiction  is made up...just sit back (can you do that with a broken tailbone?) and enjoy! 
    apsycho

  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,788Member
    I've read them all! And I'm a total snob. The writing is pretty poor, but its a nice enough story and quite captivating! Its like the perfect book for reading while youre healing and you don't want anything heavy or anything that you have to really concentrate on. It was free, it'll do you no harm!
    I quite enjoyed finding out about the whole bdsm relationship too, I know nothing about it!
    Do it do it do it!
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,849Administrator, Moderator
    The first one is a super fast read (or it was for me) and you've got nothing but time. What's to lose?
    Go on, try it. You might like it.
    ::said while wiggling my eyebrows::

    and p.s. the sex scenes, while intense, are not that in-depth. Comparatively. :D

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  • PurpleFlowersPurpleFlowers
    Posts: 5,786Member
    I want to read it but dont want to actually buy it. Waiting to borrow it from someone... anyone
    Stay away from my chocolate and nobody gets hurt!

    I think I like who I am becoming...
  • AnonUser28
    Posts: 2,083Guest
    It's what I call a bathtub read, light and fluffy with no real substance, something to relax with and finish in an hour without having to do any serious thinking or feeling. I read it to see what the fuss was about, but I read constantly... I spent a day and a half on all three books, it's not worth any more time than that...
  • squishsquish
    Posts: 787Member
    @love it was super fast. I finished it in a day and a half. Not because it was amazing though. More because once I start something, I must finish it.

    I found it lacking. I actually said "meh" when i finished. I found the main character annoying and it screamed twilight to me;i do know its based on twilight fanfiction and thats probably why And I still don't know what all the hoopla about this book is. The sex scenes were nothing amazing or revolutionary in my opinion.

    I read it because it was left at my house by my sister and I'm not going to lie, if I come across the next 2, I'll read them to finish the series.
  • AnonUser28
    Posts: 2,083Guest
    @purpleflowers I will email you my ebooks if you like...
  • PurpleFlowersPurpleFlowers
    Posts: 5,786Member
    Aww youre so sweet @pallasathene but I dont have an e book thingy. <~~ yes, thats the technical word for it ;)
    Stay away from my chocolate and nobody gets hurt!

    I think I like who I am becoming...
  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,349Administrator, Moderator
    @purpleflowers, you can read them on your laptop or on the free Kindle app on your iPhone or Droid. If you've got one.

    @squish, it's based on Twilight fan fiction?! Really? I didn't know that. I haven't read any of the Twilight books either. I did LOVE the Hunger Games trilogy though.

    community-manager


  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,349Administrator, Moderator
    @love @irishlass If you're gonna twist my arm and stuff.... ;) I didn't know you two had read them!!

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  • AnonUser28
    Posts: 2,083Guest
    @purpleflowers I can send them in a format you can read on your PC or laptop as well... or on your smartphone if you have an app.
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,788Member
    See all the coolest people have read it ;)
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • shadylaneshadylane
    Posts: 3,037Member
    my problem is if i start a book i have to finish it no matter how terrible it is, i can't just stop in the middle i have to know how it ends. i've wasted many hours of my life in this way so usually if i hear something sucks i don't start it. but i've heard so many conflicting opinions on this one i will probably read it just to see for myself.  i won't spend money on it though, i'll get it from the library. it was free, find out for urself!
    ~slim shady~
  • AnonUser28
    Posts: 2,083Guest
    Anyhow, if anyone wants them send me a PM with your email addy and what format you would like them in... I have lots of others too if you wanna ask I probably have it...
  • GritsGrits
    Posts: 3,863Member
    MammaTeeRoll said:

    stephen king has a new one. i just ordered it on amazon. 11/23/63.   (title of the book) i can't wait. as for 50 shades of grey, go ahead and read it. why not? it's a book. you aren't joining a swingers club.



    It's great!! It's a pretty big departure from his regular style, but it's a fantastic read! I got it for Christmas and totally loved it!
    "I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles." ~Audrey Hepburn
  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,849Administrator, Moderator
    @Sammie that's because you are short on the paying of the attention stuff thingy!

    LOL I read a kabillion confessions a day about something, I HAVE to find out what all the hubub is about!

    I downloaded all three to my kindle from Amazon one day about 2pm, and I'm not going to lie--I was useless the rest of the day, because like @squish says, once I start a book, I am COMPELLED to finish it, whether I like it or not. And once I start a series that piques my interest, I'm compelled to see how the story ends. I finished the series about 5 am. (It really is short and fast to read!)
    I liked it, I didn't love it, but now at least I can say that I DID read it.
    I read a lot of trash anyway, so I don't consider it wasted time. At least it gives me something else to have an opinion about, when all my friends online are talking about it :D

    community-manager


  • sheykaysheykay
    Posts: 78Member
    @Sammie yeah if I'm reading I want to feel something from it.... Not just sort of like it because then I won't even pick up my kindle half the time. It has to keep my attention which can be hard to do :D
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,551
    Meh I'm with @canadianmama

    I really hate poor writing though. Drags down the experience for me. I skimmed a few pages of my friends and it held no appeal to me. Give me a real penis any day....
  • unforgivenunforgiven
    Posts: 12,715Confessional Manager
    Well damn if it's just sittin there watching you, taunting you, staring at you, you might as well read it. :)

    confessional-manager

    "What looks like torture is a time to rejoice
    What sounds like thunder is a comforting voice
    When what is beautiful looks broken and crushed
    And I say I don't know you
    But you say it's finished"
  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,349Administrator, Moderator
    Hahahaha! Love you @unforgiven :) I just thought it would be fun "debate". People get serious about their books. Including me. I just thought my friend was so nice. She was like 'Don't even get all snobby on me, you are gonna read this and you're gonna like it. It's not ALL sex, ya big prude.' HA!

    community-manager


  • GisleyandHank
    Posts: 300Member
    I was the same way about reading the Twilight books, really adamant that I didn't want to be a part of it. But I was gifted the first one and guess what? I was really effing stupid. But I read them all. What can I say? Stephanie Meyer teases you on with the possibility of sex and you can't put them down. I'm to a point now where I like the immerse myself in pop culture within reason. It makes me feel like I'm part of something bigger. And it allows me to have an educated discussion with people. I have 50 Shades on order.
  • jacigirl6354
    Posts: 199Member
    I'm on the fence on this one. While I am nowhere near a literary snob, poor writing irritates me.
    I've tried and tried and tried to read "The Fountainhead" because its one of those "You should read it" books and I can't get through the first three chapters..
    I have a friend who bought the series and she is loaning it to me when she's done. I'm thinking it will be a good beach read and maybe I'll learn some new bedroom tricks?
    If I were you I'd go for it. The worst that will happen is you hate the first one and don't finish it :)
  • squishsquish
    Posts: 787Member
    @sammie. Yeah she wrote a fanfiction called master of the universe which is basically the layout for the plot of 50 shades and you can tell. Ana just seemed like a ripoff of Bella and it makes sense when you realize that Ana was actually written as bella in her fanfic.
  • AnonUser34
    Posts: 1,799Guest
    unforgiven said:

    Well damn if it's just sittin there watching you, taunting you, staring at you, you might as well read it. :)




    ^^Totally agree! If you don't like it, you don't like it, the book is not going to bite your buns ;) I haven't read it and don't plan too, I've heard the writing is horrible!! Maybe it can be your guilty little trashy pleasure, like I love 'Jersey Shore' it's a straight up trashy show but damn I love watching the train wrecks :D
  • mami_of_3mami_of_3
    Posts: 163Member
    I would love to read it to see if it is as good as people say but got no $$ to buy it sooooooo I will be missing out on it
    If you change their diaper, they will immediately poop in the new one.
    If you mop the floor, they will spill something.
    If you put on fresh socks, you will immediately step on whatever was spilled.
    If you're tired, they will not be.
    If you love them, you will see the beauty in it all.
  • unforgivenunforgiven
    Posts: 12,715Confessional Manager
    Lol @sammie I like your friend!

    confessional-manager

    "What looks like torture is a time to rejoice
    What sounds like thunder is a comforting voice
    When what is beautiful looks broken and crushed
    And I say I don't know you
    But you say it's finished"
  • Luvlyssa
    Posts: 3,338Member
    @mami_of_3 a user above is willing to email it to you in any format you want...

    I admit... I had it sent to me *cough*thanks @PallasAthene *cough* but... I tried to read it and was bored :( I see a couple of you say it gets better after chapter 5... maybe I'll go back and shove my way through like chapter 7.

    and this coming from someone who thought twilight was "ok" :) and I read a lot of trash!
    Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.
  • breezybreezy
    Posts: 3,483Member
    I am serious about my books ... And It's not literary master piece but what are ya gonna do... me? , I'm obviously a lemming... I jumped. Its just a trash novel. I personally don't know what the big deal is. Read it sammie! All your friends are doing it! lol
  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,349Administrator, Moderator
    All my friends ARE doing it @breezy. You're right!! Guess that answers that. :-*

    @luvlyssa, you going to try it again?

    community-manager


  • mami_of_3mami_of_3
    Posts: 163Member
    @luvlyssa thank you hunni, I missed that, I have a question tho... how do I send a pm? :-/
    If you change their diaper, they will immediately poop in the new one.
    If you mop the floor, they will spill something.
    If you put on fresh socks, you will immediately step on whatever was spilled.
    If you're tired, they will not be.
    If you love them, you will see the beauty in it all.
  • Luvlyssa
    Posts: 3,338Member
    @sammie ... ugh. yeah. I was so curious but then got it and WAS SO BORED. but... i'll try as soon as I finish the one I started last night:)

    @mami_of_3 near the top of your screen you'll see "inbox" click on that. on the right hand side it says "start a new conversation" click that. type her name in... send message... dance!
    Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.
  • mami_of_3mami_of_3
    Posts: 163Member
    @luvlyssa thank you!!
    If you change their diaper, they will immediately poop in the new one.
    If you mop the floor, they will spill something.
    If you put on fresh socks, you will immediately step on whatever was spilled.
    If you're tired, they will not be.
    If you love them, you will see the beauty in it all.
  • DemandaDemanda
    Posts: 4,638Member
    Don't do it!!! I don't have a good reason either other than I'm a snob.
    Although...it was a gift and you might feel kinda douchey if she asked how you liked it.
    But don't like it!

    @mamateeroll - I bought my BF that Stephen King book for Christmas, he loved it! It's pretty big and he devoured it.
    "The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off." ~ Gloria SteinemPhotobucket
  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,349Administrator, Moderator
    @demanda, I can be a snob in my own right, so I totally understand. Nate saw it last night though and he was like "The guys said this is a good book for wives to read" with a sly grin. I think some of his co-workers must have reaped the benefits of their wives reading this book. LOL.

    community-manager


  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,349Administrator, Moderator
    So..I jumped. :)

    I had no idea that it was set in Washington. Vancouver is so close to me too. That always makes me feel more connected to any book, for some reason, when it is set close to home.

    community-manager


  • Katescrazymom
    Posts: 1,901Member
    I'd read it because I'll read anything.  If I'm in a car alone (not that this happens anymore) I'll end  up reading the owner's manual.  It's addiction.  I need help!  I have not and will not buy it, but if I come across it, it's fair game.
  • loveitloveit
    Posts: 1,738Member
    Oh for Pete's sake!!! Read the book! It will definitely spice things up in the bedroom!!
  • TKDuncan
    Posts: 53Member
    I vote don't read it---but I'm a total book snob. Hahahaha. I've heard so much about the immaturity of the writing and the awkward way that it is presented so I have no interest in it. But I'm also in the ardent anti-Twilight camp, too, so that makes me super unpopular with a lot of people. I just can't handle writing that sounds like a preteen girl wrote it.

    On the other hand...you have it sitting there. You might as well give it a chance. Maybe you'll like it!! I'll read just about anything if I'm stuck :)
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