Book Review: Fifty Shades Of Grey

Cover: Fifty Shades Of Grey

Recently I was browsing the book aisle at Target looking for a new read that would provide a needed distraction from a personal issue.  I wanted something fun, easy and engaging.  I certainly found it.  Not only is Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James a total guilty pleasure it is a hot-button, somewhat controversial book making it all the more fun to read.  The book is classified as “erotic fiction” if this gives you an idea of why.  In Fifty Shades… Anastasia Steele is a recent college grad who has limited experience with men.  When she gets involved with young, handsome billionaire Christian Grey she gains experience – fast.  Christian is a control freak, in and outside of the bedroom, and is unable to resist the innocent but witty and intelligent Anastasia.  While his command over Anastasia and her willingness to give in is frustrating at times, the way his looks and magnetism is described makes you understand why.  Even at over 500 pages the story moves at a quick pace and is sure to keep you turning the pages wondering what wild thing Christian will have Anastasia do next.  Pick up Fifty Shades of Grey for your beach read this summer but maybe use a book cover if you want to avoid any stares of those in the know!

The Hunger Games Review

I jumped on “The Hunger Games” bandwagon last year and read the three books of the trilogy.  I enjoyed them all with the first, in my opinion, being the best (as is the case with most book series it seems).  Even my husband, a non-reader for the most part, took my recommendation and dove into the first one and even liked it.  So when the movie debuted last week it was something we both wanted to see.  Going to the movies is quite an event for us considering it requires a babysitter, a few days of planning and now that we are addicted to the new Cinepolis theaters – advance ticket purchase.  We got all our ducks in a row and finally sat down last night for “The Hunger Games” on the big screen.

In short I would describe the movie as gritty yet entertaining.  With a PG-13 rating it doesn’t shy away from the raw violence of kids killing kids as described in the book, however it manages to do so without being gruesome or too graphic considering the characters’ young ages.  The film jumps right into the Reaping with Katniss volunteering to take her little sister’s place in the Hunger Games.  There is not a lot of backstory given but we get a glimpse into the desperate and impoverished life Katniess leads in District 12 and her adoration for best friend Gale and hunting; two passions that will help and complicate her role as a tribute in the Games.  The most exciting part of the movie is, naturally, the actual Games and seeing Katniss’ survivor skills put to the test.  Katniss emerges as an empowered, strong heroine; giving young girls an impressive role model beyond that of a lovesick teenager.  The concept of killing human beings for sport and the entertainment it gives the Capital hits an emotional nerve particularly with our society’s problems of bullying and the detrimental effects it is having on our children.

Overall the movie deserves the praise and fortune it has received and I recommend it regardless if you’ve read the book or not.  No matter your choice, may the odds ever be in your favor.