Christian Grey....

DoomCakes

:laugh: threads like these remind me why I've never wasted my money on it.

Does anybody have better books that they would suggest?

The internet. It's free.

penrbrown

I started reading these only because they were pulled from library shelves..I had to find out what all the hype was about. I found some of it to be repetative and annoying I am on the 3rd book only to finally find out what happens....I truly hope its a good ending....
I'm not in love with this fictional character....I would have told Mr. Grey to take a flying leap a long time ago...

They were pulled from library shelves? I would support this. If only because they are a mockery to literature. :P

rml_16

:laugh: threads like these remind me why I've never wasted my money on it.

Does anybody have better books that they would suggest?

Along the same genre or in general?

tcunbeliever

...is an emotionally abusive psychopath from the worst "novel" I've ever had the displeasure of getting halfway through.

Just sayin'

^^Ditto! I have serious concerns about how many women are going to be damaged by this series. I am a counselor and very knowledgable from training as well as life experience. These men do NOT change, do not become loving human beings. They kill your soul. This is not to say that some sex play with bondage / passivity isn't fun, but Christian Grey and fun safe sex play are NOT the same.

Not only will women be damaged, they will have less support from those around them as society comes to accept abuse as a valid form of "love" and increasinly the victim becomes the one to blame for the situation. After all, he's only hurting her because he loves her, why is she unhappy about that? Much in the same mentality that lets men off the hook for rape because she wasn't wearing panties, so she wanted it.

jynxxxed

:laugh: threads like these remind me why I've never wasted my money on it.

Does anybody have better books that they would suggest?

Along the same genre or in general?

Either one. I just finished the last of the books I've recently bought and I'm completely open to new suggestions. I've never read anything even close to 'erotica' though (closest is Triangles by Ellen Hopkins - far from erotica or anything similar) so I wouldn't even know where to start in that genre.

debjae

My fear is that one day that is all there will be to read self published books that demean women.

VelociMama

...is an emotionally abusive psychopath from the worst "novel" I've ever had the displeasure of getting halfway through.

Just sayin'

^^Ditto! I have serious concerns about how many women are going to be damaged by this series. I am a counselor and very knowledgable from training as well as life experience. These men do NOT change, do not become loving human beings. They kill your soul. This is not to say that some sex play with bondage / passivity isn't fun, but Christian Grey and fun safe sex play are NOT the same.

Not only will women be damaged, they will have less support from those around them as society comes to accept abuse as a valid form of "love" and increasinly the victim becomes the one to blame for the situation. After all, he's only hurting her because he loves her, why is she unhappy about that? Much in the same mentality that lets men off the hook for rape because she wasn't wearing panties, so she wanted it.

I can deal with crappy writing if the characters are interesting, but the most sickening part about this book was exactly what you're talking about.

It is very disturbing to me how many women find Christian "sexy." He's abusive, manipulative, cruel, possessive, and just awful. Anastasia not only tolerating but idolizing his behavior out of some sick self-loathing issue. I just found the relationship dynamic to be far too disturbing.

P.S. Sorry for the overuse of the word, "disturbing," but it seems to be the most appropriate term to me.

rml_16

:laugh: threads like these remind me why I've never wasted my money on it.

Does anybody have better books that they would suggest?

Along the same genre or in general?

Either one. I just finished the last of the books I've recently bought and I'm completely open to new suggestions. I've never read anything even close to 'erotica' though (closest is Triangles by Ellen Hopkins - far from erotica or anything similar) so I wouldn't even know where to start in that genre.

Well, I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but Candace Bushnell is a fantastic writer (Sex and the City). I've read Sex and the City (which is very different from the show), Four Blondes and I just finished One Fifth Avenue. I couldn't get into Lipstick Jungle, though. I also just read all three of the Bridget Jones books -- LOVED them. If you haven't read Harry Potter, you are missing out majorly. I have JK's latest on pre-order from Amazon, due out next week so I can let you know!

If you look me up on Goodreads.com (rml_16), I have a whole list of books and what I thought of them.

Oh, also Les Miserables, while incredibly depressing, is one of the best books I ever read.

jynxxxed

:laugh: threads like these remind me why I've never wasted my money on it.

Does anybody have better books that they would suggest?

Along the same genre or in general?

Either one. I just finished the last of the books I've recently bought and I'm completely open to new suggestions. I've never read anything even close to 'erotica' though (closest is Triangles by Ellen Hopkins - far from erotica or anything similar) so I wouldn't even know where to start in that genre.

Well, I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but Candace Bushnell is a fantastic writer (Sex and the City). I've read Sex and the City (which is very different from the show), Four Blondes and I just finished One Fifth Avenue. I couldn't get into Lipstick Jungle, though. I also just read all three of the Bridget Jones books -- LOVED them. If you haven't read Harry Potter, you are missing out majorly. I have JK's latest on pre-order from Amazon, due out next week so I can let you know!

If you look me up on Goodreads.com (rml_16), I have a whole list of books and what I thought of them.

Oh, also Les Miserables, while incredibly depressing, is one of the best books I ever read.

I haven't read Harry Potter or even seen beyond the first movie.. maybe I'll have to reconsider. Thank you, though! That's extremely helpful :flowerforyou:

VelociMama

:laugh: threads like these remind me why I've never wasted my money on it.

Does anybody have better books that they would suggest?

Along the same genre or in general?

Either one. I just finished the last of the books I've recently bought and I'm completely open to new suggestions. I've never read anything even close to 'erotica' though (closest is Triangles by Ellen Hopkins - far from erotica or anything similar) so I wouldn't even know where to start in that genre.

I'm a huge fan of the first five of the vampire series by Anne Rice: Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, Tale of the Body Thief, and Memnoch the Devil. The Witching Hour series is also wonderful. She also penned a series of erotic novels under A. N. Roquelaure. They were well-written, but the content wasn't something I found appealing. If you've not read Interview with the Vampire and like good characters and fantasy fiction, you'd enjoy it, I think.

I also really love James Thurber novels as well. They are still witty and lighthearted now.

I'm in the middle of the Game of Thrones series now, which is just wonderful also.

DoomCakes

:laugh: threads like these remind me why I've never wasted my money on it.

Does anybody have better books that they would suggest?

Along the same genre or in general?

Either one. I just finished the last of the books I've recently bought and I'm completely open to new suggestions. I've never read anything even close to 'erotica' though (closest is Triangles by Ellen Hopkins - far from erotica or anything similar) so I wouldn't even know where to start in that genre.

Well, I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but Candace Bushnell is a fantastic writer (Sex and the City). I've read Sex and the City (which is very different from the show), Four Blondes and I just finished One Fifth Avenue. I couldn't get into Lipstick Jungle, though. I also just read all three of the Bridget Jones books -- LOVED them. If you haven't read Harry Potter, you are missing out majorly. I have JK's latest on pre-order from Amazon, due out next week so I can let you know!

If you look me up on Goodreads.com (rml_16), I have a whole list of books and what I thought of them.

Oh, also Les Miserables, while incredibly depressing, is one of the best books I ever read.

Wait, she has a new book coming out?! What is it and what's it about? I just finished the Hunger Games (which by the way even though it's a "teen" novel has a GREAT story line and keeps you on the edge of your seat) and I need a new book to get lost in! I love JKR!

penrbrown

:laugh: threads like these remind me why I've never wasted my money on it.

Does anybody have better books that they would suggest?

Along the same genre or in general?

Either one. I just finished the last of the books I've recently bought and I'm completely open to new suggestions. I've never read anything even close to 'erotica' though (closest is Triangles by Ellen Hopkins - far from erotica or anything similar) so I wouldn't even know where to start in that genre.

Well, I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but Candace Bushnell is a fantastic writer (Sex and the City). I've read Sex and the City (which is very different from the show), Four Blondes and I just finished One Fifth Avenue. I couldn't get into Lipstick Jungle, though. I also just read all three of the Bridget Jones books -- LOVED them. If you haven't read Harry Potter, you are missing out majorly. I have JK's latest on pre-order from Amazon, due out next week so I can let you know!

If you look me up on Goodreads.com (rml_16), I have a whole list of books and what I thought of them.

Oh, also Les Miserables, while incredibly depressing, is one of the best books I ever read.

I haven't read Harry Potter or even seen beyond the first movie.. maybe I'll have to reconsider. Thank you, though! That's extremely helpful :flowerforyou:

I second Harry Potter (VERY British series. The books are so much better then the movies. In fact I'd say the movies are a waste of time *ducks incoming Potter backlash) and would like to add Hunger Games to the mix. It's a romance/action aimed at Young Adults but it's fantastic. A real page turner and a well written commentary on war and humanity's darker side.

rml_16

:laugh: threads like these remind me why I've never wasted my money on it.

Does anybody have better books that they would suggest?

Along the same genre or in general?

Either one. I just finished the last of the books I've recently bought and I'm completely open to new suggestions. I've never read anything even close to 'erotica' though (closest is Triangles by Ellen Hopkins - far from erotica or anything similar) so I wouldn't even know where to start in that genre.

Well, I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but Candace Bushnell is a fantastic writer (Sex and the City). I've read Sex and the City (which is very different from the show), Four Blondes and I just finished One Fifth Avenue. I couldn't get into Lipstick Jungle, though. I also just read all three of the Bridget Jones books -- LOVED them. If you haven't read Harry Potter, you are missing out majorly. I have JK's latest on pre-order from Amazon, due out next week so I can let you know!

If you look me up on Goodreads.com (rml_16), I have a whole list of books and what I thought of them.

Oh, also Les Miserables, while incredibly depressing, is one of the best books I ever read.

I haven't read Harry Potter or even seen beyond the first movie.. maybe I'll have to reconsider. Thank you, though! That's extremely helpful :flowerforyou:

The first two books (and movies) are very much geared towards 11-year-olds, so you kind of have to get past that. But they're still well-written and important to the overall story. The third picks up a bit and from 4-7, they're awesome. Very dark, but SO GOOD. And she throws in a but of that British humor, as well. :-)

VelociMama

:laugh: threads like these remind me why I've never wasted my money on it.

Does anybody have better books that they would suggest?

Along the same genre or in general?

Either one. I just finished the last of the books I've recently bought and I'm completely open to new suggestions. I've never read anything even close to 'erotica' though (closest is Triangles by Ellen Hopkins - far from erotica or anything similar) so I wouldn't even know where to start in that genre.

Well, I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but Candace Bushnell is a fantastic writer (Sex and the City). I've read Sex and the City (which is very different from the show), Four Blondes and I just finished One Fifth Avenue. I couldn't get into Lipstick Jungle, though. I also just read all three of the Bridget Jones books -- LOVED them. If you haven't read Harry Potter, you are missing out majorly. I have JK's latest on pre-order from Amazon, due out next week so I can let you know!

If you look me up on Goodreads.com (rml_16), I have a whole list of books and what I thought of them.

Oh, also Les Miserables, while incredibly depressing, is one of the best books I ever read.

I haven't read Harry Potter or even seen beyond the first movie.. maybe I'll have to reconsider. Thank you, though! That's extremely helpful :flowerforyou:

I second Harry Potter (VERY British series. The books are so much better then the movies. In fact I'd say the movies are a waste of time *ducks incoming Potter backlash) and would like to add Hunger Games to the mix. It's a romance/action aimed at Young Adults but it's fantastic. A real page turner and a well written commentary on war and humanity's darker side.

I second Harry Potter series. Wonderful books.

I enjoyed the first two Hunger Games books, but the third was a bit of a disappointment for me. They are worth a read though.

rml_16

Wait, she has a new book coming out?! What is it and what's it about? I just finished the Hunger Games (which by the way even though it's a "teen" novel has a GREAT story line and keeps you on the edge of your seat) and I need a new book to get lost in! I love JKR!

It's an adult novel. Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Casual-Vacancy-J-K-Rowling/dp/0316228532/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347908938&sr=8-1&keywords=a+casual+vacancy

MrsWilsoncroft

... he's not real.

You lie. YOU LIE!

Love it

rml_16

I'd also like to highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend The Book Thief. It's also juvenile fiction, but oh so amazing.

andreanicole686

... he's not real.

You lie. YOU LIE!

hahaha

DonniesGirl69

Is a poorly developed character and not sexy.

I read half a chapter and gave the book away.

It doesn't even resemble quality writing and it sorta pisses me off that this woman is now rolling around in money.

DoomCakes

I haven't read Harry Potter or even seen beyond the first movie.. maybe I'll have to reconsider. Thank you, though! That's extremely helpful :flowerforyou:

I second Harry Potter (VERY British series. The books are so much better then the movies. In fact I'd say the movies are a waste of time *ducks incoming Potter backlash) and would like to add Hunger Games to the mix. It's a romance/action aimed at Young Adults but it's fantastic. A real page turner and a well written commentary on war and humanity's darker side.

I'm just going to say (Harry Potter fanatic) I LOVE both. Movie AND book. Both are good in their own respective. I can read a book, then watch the movie. I will enjoy the book as a book, and the movie as a movie. The book was amazing, very well written, fascinating and creative. You could visualize everything. The movie was the same. It wasn't how I envisioned it in the book, they left some parts out BUT as a movie, it is great. If I never read the books, I'd be in love with the movies as they were mesmerizing and almost real to the point you felt like you could get an owl saying you were accepted to hogwarts. (not realistic! But the movies were well done)

The Hunger Games is another one. Just from the first book they changed A LOT of things (time effective and budget) but again, great in their own ways.

I would recommend the hunger games to ANYONE to read for the reasons you stated It's got romance (not enough to be sick and it's healthy, not some stupid twilight romance), drama, action, gore, and a realistic envisionment of humanity and how they act in situations. A kill or be killed, outside thinkers, etc. Best thing, the novel doesn't get crappy as it goes on. It actually gets really interesting in the second book, and the third book is interesting as well. Beginning is slower, but that's due to situations. It does seem semi rushed, but again, probably a time cost reason as well as you could go into many many pages of detail on everything.

rml_16

It doesn't even resemble quality writing and it sorta pisses me off that this woman is now rolling around in money.

I say more power to her. It the publisher I'm pissed at. If someone wants to publish the worst thing I ever wrote and it makes me money, I'll take it. But they should know better!

And as far as HP books vs. movies, the books fill in a lot of information and I would say that of course they're better, but the movies are still very good.

chubby_checkers

Read a harlequin romance. You won't lose as many brain cells.

Ginnyesq

I'll just drop this nugget of awesome here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/340987215

Pretty much summed up my thoughts on this book.

Me too.

especially this

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r512/shutterbird13/Dramatic/2qR6c.gif

DoomCakes

Wait, she has a new book coming out?! What is it and what's it about? I just finished the Hunger Games (which by the way even though it's a "teen" novel has a GREAT story line and keeps you on the edge of your seat) and I need a new book to get lost in! I love JKR!

It's an adult novel. Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Casual-Vacancy-J-K-Rowling/dp/0316228532/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347908938&sr=8-1&keywords=a+casual+vacancy

Thank you, sounds like a really good read.

Almost reminds me of the book "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" for some reason, but not exactly. (another good read in my opinion)

usmcmp

DonniesGirl69

It doesn't even resemble quality writing and it sorta pisses me off that this woman is now rolling around in money.

I say more power to her. It the publisher I'm pissed at. If someone wants to publish the worst thing I ever wrote and it makes me money, I'll take it. But they should know better!

That's why I said "sorta" LOL

penrbrown

I haven't read Harry Potter or even seen beyond the first movie.. maybe I'll have to reconsider. Thank you, though! That's extremely helpful :flowerforyou:

I second Harry Potter (VERY British series. The books are so much better then the movies. In fact I'd say the movies are a waste of time *ducks incoming Potter backlash) and would like to add Hunger Games to the mix. It's a romance/action aimed at Young Adults but it's fantastic. A real page turner and a well written commentary on war and humanity's darker side.

I'm just going to say (Harry Potter fanatic) I LOVE both. Movie AND book. Both are good in their own respective. I can read a book, then watch the movie. I will enjoy the book as a book, and the movie as a movie. The book was amazing, very well written, fascinating and creative. You could visualize everything. The movie was the same. It wasn't how I envisioned it in the book, they left some parts out BUT as a movie, it is great. If I never read the books, I'd be in love with the movies as they were mesmerizing and almost real to the point you felt like you could get an owl saying you were accepted to hogwarts. (not realistic! But the movies were well done)

The Hunger Games is another one. Just from the first book they changed A LOT of things (time effective and budget) but again, great in their own ways.

I would recommend the hunger games to ANYONE to read for the reasons you stated It's got romance (not enough to be sick and it's healthy, not some stupid twilight romance), drama, action, gore, and a realistic envisionment of humanity and how they act in situations. A kill or be killed, outside thinkers, etc. Best thing, the novel doesn't get crappy as it goes on. It actually gets really interesting in the second book, and the third book is interesting as well. Beginning is slower, but that's due to situations. It does seem semi rushed, but again, probably a time cost reason as well as you could go into many many pages of detail on everything.

Okay, okay, I know we're off topic but I think the movies were poorly done. I attended with people who had never read the books and they were SO CONFUSED by the movies. So I can say with confidence that if you hadn't read the books you probably wouldn't have enjoyed the movies as much.

janlee_001

I heard it's content would be good if it wasn't written so poorly.

rml_16

I haven't read Harry Potter or even seen beyond the first movie.. maybe I'll have to reconsider. Thank you, though! That's extremely helpful :flowerforyou:

I second Harry Potter (VERY British series. The books are so much better then the movies. In fact I'd say the movies are a waste of time *ducks incoming Potter backlash) and would like to add Hunger Games to the mix. It's a romance/action aimed at Young Adults but it's fantastic. A real page turner and a well written commentary on war and humanity's darker side.

I'm just going to say (Harry Potter fanatic) I LOVE both. Movie AND book. Both are good in their own respective. I can read a book, then watch the movie. I will enjoy the book as a book, and the movie as a movie. The book was amazing, very well written, fascinating and creative. You could visualize everything. The movie was the same. It wasn't how I envisioned it in the book, they left some parts out BUT as a movie, it is great. If I never read the books, I'd be in love with the movies as they were mesmerizing and almost real to the point you felt like you could get an owl saying you were accepted to hogwarts. (not realistic! But the movies were well done)

The Hunger Games is another one. Just from the first book they changed A LOT of things (time effective and budget) but again, great in their own ways.

I would recommend the hunger games to ANYONE to read for the reasons you stated It's got romance (not enough to be sick and it's healthy, not some stupid twilight romance), drama, action, gore, and a realistic envisionment of humanity and how they act in situations. A kill or be killed, outside thinkers, etc. Best thing, the novel doesn't get crappy as it goes on. It actually gets really interesting in the second book, and the third book is interesting as well. Beginning is slower, but that's due to situations. It does seem semi rushed, but again, probably a time cost reason as well as you could go into many many pages of detail on everything.

Okay, okay, I know we're off topic but I think the movies were poorly done. I attended with people who had never read the books and they were SO CONFUSED by the movies. So I can say with confidence that if you hadn't read the books you probably wouldn't have enjoyed the movies as much.

I watched all eight movies before reading a word of the books and loved them. My boyfriend refuses to read the books at all and loves the movies. My best friend read the first book and none of the rest and loves the movies.

My impression was, after reading the books, that there is so much you don't know you don't know about the movies that it ends up working out that it doesn't matter. Reading the books made watching the movies more enjoyable for me, but I loved the movies even before I read the books.

penrbrown

I watched all eight movies before reading a word of the books and loved them. My boyfriend refuses to read the books at all and loves the movies. My best friend read the first book and none of the rest and loves the movies.

My impression was, after reading the books, that there is so much you don't know you don't know about the movies that it ends up working out that it doesn't matter. Reading the books made watching the movies more enjoyable for me, but I loved the movies even before I read the books.

Wow. I'm really surprised by that. Most people I know who enjoyed the movies have read the books and the ones I know who didn't read the books didn't like the movies (especially the later movies. The first few were okay).