50 Shades of Grey trilogy

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57443135-10391698/florida-library-puts-50-shades-back-on-shelf/

I stumbled upon the first book at a tag sale in Spore and brought it all the way to New Haven before I could read it (I was reading Game of Thrones Book 4 back). Of course, being the bookworm that I am, I had to finish up the other 2 to complete the trilogy, thanks to New Haven Public Library for the e-books.

I was pretty intrigued, because I have never explored erotic literature before. As it turns out, the trilogy is quite a read.

Protagonists: Anastasia Steele and Christan Grey
Synopsis: Recent college graduate Ana Steele and business tycoon Christian Grey met in an unlikely interview and found mutual attraction. Anastasia has never been in a relationship and Christian has a dark brooding past that haunts his present, resulting in his domineering nature. But expectedly, their mindsets of the world and themselves changed when their romance sparked off, along with their erotic adventures, mainly BDSM (Bondage Domination Submission Masochism). They started to embark on a journey of mutual and self-exploration, both physically and emotionally.

E.L. James started this as a fanfiction to the Twilight trilogy, got it published and now it's moving on to the big screen! As it turns out, having also read the Twilight trilogy, I felt there is a lingering sense of similarity. Just a very slight shadow. Like how Christian and Edward are both self-loathing and ashamed/frightful of their past and how they are drawn to Ana and Belle, intrigued by a certain trait that perhaps will only be privy to the male protagonists themselves (C's BDSM tendencies and E's telepathy). And of course, how A and B are portrayed initially as inexperienced or powerless but are in fact very strong women that ultimately saved the day. Their lives as the rich. Similarities between Mia and Alice, Elliot and Emmett.

Well, for romantic suckers, this trilogy will be a great read. I also think this has been pretty educational and enlightening, for my first foray into unexplored literature. The scenes can get really raunchy and graphic and they pique you in the right places. I wonder how the movie is going to be shot.... Beneath all these "kinky fuckery" (sic), I feel there are a number of pertinent messages conveyed about relationships: among them, openness and communication.

So, if you are looking to try a different genre, or an open mind looking for new literary adventure, this might be the one you are looking for. I mean it's got everything: romance, life, action and sex. Just a little more explicit sex. Shrugs.