It seems like I am incapable of updating this with any semblance of regularity, but it's summer and I have two children, so I'm allowed to struggle with schedules. That's like a law or something. I'm taking the kids to my parents' pool here in a bit, and this afternoon we are hitting up the Sacred Heart Polish Festival for some yummy fare, so as far as blogging is concerned, it's now or never.
I think I've hit the summer wall. I feel like I should be accomplishing something or having a lot of fun every minute, so when I'm not doing anything of note I feel guilty. That's sort of defeating the purpose of time off, yes? I'm working on it. I have finally finished the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, so that's something as far as enjoyment goes, and I intend on reviewing it here in a hot minute. I've moved on to a really interesting nonfiction book, For Better, The Science of a Good Marriage by Tara Parker-Pope, and I'm tearing pages out of Health and Fitness magazines like it's my job. If only the act of tearing paper counted as physical fitness. Actually, I quite like the feeling of working out. I feel strong and energized, and the rest of my day is much better. The problem for me is putting my shoes on and starting the workout. If someone literally picked me up and plopped me down in a gym every day I'd be golden. I'm also struggling a bit with my one-new-recipe-a-week plan. Only part of my issue is lack of motivation; mostly, we haven't been home or together for dinners the last couple of weeks. We eat at one of our parents' houses, or we meet someone out for dinner, or one of us is out of town or golfing or whatever. I am not going to try out a new recipe and go to all of that work for just me. Like I said, I'm content with frozen pizza. Zach and I will be home together Monday night, so I've deemed that my next new-recipe night. I think I'm trying a crockpot recipe this time. Updates to come :)
On to the salacious book review. (The book is salacious, not necessarily the review. Though I could try to spice this up, I suppose....) I first saw a clip about Fifty Shades on E News. Throngs of women were displayed in Britain at various book clubs, clutching the black paperbacks to their chests with looks of passion on their faces. I was intrigued. What would rile up so many English women with equal fervor? The segment was focused on how filmmakers had the task of casting actors who would live up to the giant fanbase's ideals. I was surprised by the fact that I hadn't heard of these books. How could a casting frenzy already be underway? I'd kept up with the Harry Potter and Hunger Games franchises and grudgingly read and watched the Twilight series, so a new popular thing piqued my interest. The next day (literally) all of my female coworkers were talking about the books. I kept hearing how naughty the story line was, how my friends couldn't put the books down, and how their sex lives were being affected. If English teachers were recommending raunchy literature commonly referred to as "pulp", I knew this was something I had to read.
The first book is a shock. I felt self-conscious reading it around others; I definitely did not bring it to school, and once while reading in the car with my mother-in-law, I had to put the book away. The sex scenes are a lot to take in at first. By the third book, I became anesthesized to them, anticipating then based on the author's very obvious cues, and skimming through some to get to the action of the plot. Overall, however, the racy descriptions are enjoyable and voyeuristic. I have never read erotica, and I think this series was a great introduction to the genre.
The characters are interesting, but I wouldn't describe them as fully developed. What I mean by that is I didn't leave the books feeling sad that I'd left friends, a feeling I often experience after really connecting with an author's characterization. Christian Grey is so complicated and tortured he doesn't seem real, and the female lead, Anastasia Steele, comes across as juvenile and, frankly, annoying. She is young and unsure of herself, which I assume was a conscious choice by the author so that readers could feel like they, too, could have something like this happen to them, but her inconsistencies bothered me. I also really hated the fact that she referred to her sexual parts as "my sex." The author often italicized that word, too, to really emphasize its awkwardness. Maybe the word vagina would have been obtrusive and taken away from the sensual flow of things, but I rolled my eyes every time I saw the word. It made me feel a little dirty, actually, like I was reading the thoughts of a teenager. My other biggest pet peeve was the author's repetitive word usage. I cannot tell you how many times she describes something as heady. Each time my eyes hit the word (the feeling was heady, a heady mixture of power and desire, etc.) the reading voice in my head stumbled. I even noticed it twice in one short paragraph in the third book--that's how much it interrupted my reading. The author overused many words and descriptions, so much so that the sex scenes became almost rote and the excitement all but disappeared. I know these books are fantasy, and that's why they're so appealing, but let's be honest--NO ONE has that much sex. Three times in one evening, followed by once in the middle of the night and again in the morning before work? Really?! I guess I'm too much of a realist to be fully swept away by the "perfect" fictional relationship. I don't think I could have tolerated Grey's controlling nature for a day, much less a lifetime. The relationship aspect just seemed like too much work.
I will say that overall I enjoyed the books and I'm glad I read them. I'm especially glad I saved them until summertime, as they are perfect poolside entertainment. If you are interested in stretching your mind fantasy-wise, they're a great inspiration. If you are traditional or very religious I'd suggest staying far, far away. I never thought I'd see the day that my mom would ask to borrow this type of book from me, but she has devoured the first and is anxiously awaiting the second. I guess these books appeal to many types.
Leaving one wild topic for another, I've got to go tame my children into swimsuits and sunscreen. Adios, readers!
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