Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James

Whew what a great end to a very interesting book! I just finished Fifty Shades of Grey and while my mind is still racing with thoughts I shall get this blog going. I have been such a slacker getting on my lap top at all, ever since I got an iphone who really needs a computer?! Well, I do. It would take me too long to type out all this material with my one-two finger touch screen typing and this poor dusty neglected computer is barely strumming to life. I think computers must need exercise too, hmmm. My millions of blog reading fans out there must be so disappointed in me for taking two months off, my apologies. Okay so my 5 fans...Onward, so our April book club choice of reading material was the ever so publicized Fifty Shades of Grey (although at the time it was chosen I had never heard of this book). I was already reading Lucky One by N Sparks, which was very good by the way, so I put off Fifty until I finished. Just as I was finished up with Lucky One, 20/20 airs the interview with Mrs. James and I nearly flush as I hear the porn-like intimate details. In turn, this also means the books were sold out the first 3 stores I planned to purchase from, ugh! In the cold rain (shocker for New England) I am at my final destination, B&N, and in a hurried pace I grab the black book, check out and head home. Turns out Fifty Shades Darker II looks strikingly like it's first in the trilogy so out I go again to B&N to get the right book.

I feel a bit of pressure writing this particular blog for a few reasons. One, I don't want to flush fifty shades of red but two this book deserves a bit more attention than calling it "mommy porn" or other. Believe it or not this book actually has a story line, and a pretty interesting one at that. Yes there is also sex, lots of very descriptive and not so "vanilla" sex (haha inside joke). There is also two very unique characters and a journey that may just open your mind or at least will let you into a personal side of another. Christian Grey is an extremely wealthy, successful, young, absolutely gorgeous man that very privately practices S&M, well more like BDSM (google it if you must). Anastasia Steele is a smart but naive, fun loving, well liked, very ...traditional and inexperienced college student. As a favor to her roommate Kate she is asked to interview Mr. Grey for an article and the two find a chemistry that may or may not be a very bad combination. I love the quirky comedic emails (read the subject lines) between the two and the overall dynamic of the two very different people with high expectations. My absolute favorite part is the shocking end that leaves you stunned. I will be reading the second book very soon and I look forward to whatever awaits!

I rate this book an 8 for originality, shock factor and keeping my interest ;-)

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

It's so much fun being 'a reader', the options are nearly endless as are the categories, the length, the characters, setting, endings and all the in between. Is there a cheaper thrill in the world than books, I doubt it? With that said, aah the workings of my scattered brain, I chose to skip blogging about my last read because ...it was just too boring to continue giving it my attention. Queen of the Road was last months book club read, this will be brief and somewhat relevant, and it was okay but it took me all month to read the very averaged size book. It was cute at times and funny too but I had to force myself to open it up and read a chapter at a time until I was done, at which time I think I was proud of myself? This months book, however, I read in less than 3 days. The Fault in Our Stars was actually recommended on facebook by a DJ personality who I just happen to share very similar taste in books with, thanks Pebbles. Go figure, it is also Young Adult. It lived up to its praise and will duly be praised more by me.

Cancer, cancer sucks. This has been uttered one to many times by loved ones and more so by the many fighters out in the world. Hazel is a 16 year with terminal cancer. She is on a drug that has slowed the tumor growths and is on oxygen that supplies what her failing lungs are lacking. She is forced to participate in a Cancer Kid Support Group to help with her "depression" and give her the social life she lacks. It is there she soon meets Augustus, a supporting friend of Isaac who is about to lose his eyesight. In Isaac she finds a great friend that doesn't pity her and Augustus becomes her one and only love. There are twists, turns, laughs and tears. This story has so many layers to unfold and will dig deep into your soul. Not just the usual, live every day as your last.

I give this book an 8.5, which is a must read!

~Also, in memory of Stephanie Holmes, may you forever be in my heart. She died in the 8th grade to Leukemia after one too many fights. I miss your laugh, your humor, our long phone calls, being your "eyes and ears" for school gossip and so much more. Hazel reminded of you, how you would have been if you had the extra years. <3