My friend invited me to join her book club with the first book being Fifty Shades of Grey. Normally I don't purchase fiction books, but the waiting list at the library both via print and eBook was enormous, so I did buy this book. I am not sure I will read it again, but I did like the book.

The book starts with Anastasia Steele who lives in Vancouver, Washington (just outside Portland) and is a senior at WSUV. She goes to interview a mega billionaire, Christian Grey, for the school newspaper, in Seattle, since her roommate, Katherine the school newspaper editor, is ill and can't go. Feeling out of her league as far as her interviewing experience, things are made that much worse when the office is immaculate, everyone in very business attire, and when she meets Mr. Grey he is amazingly gorgeous and only in his late 20s.

He does answer all her interview questions but shows a definite interest in her personally as well and asks her some of his own questions. Much to her surprise, while at work back in Vancouver later that week, Ana is greeted by Christian. He is in town and stopped by to see her. Things grow from there. Ana is quite self conscious, why would someone so beautiful and rich be interested in her?

The relationship goes from there. We quickly learn that Grey isn't a normal boyfriend. She is required by him to sign an NDA and he is into some kinky stuff. Ana is a virgin prior to meeting Christian and hasn't really been in a serious relationship. The gist of Christian's desire is for Ana to be his Sub. He shows her his room and toys and introduces her to what all it involves.

There is some pretty detailed descriptions of the sexual encounters. It is told from Ana's point of view and we get a good idea of the many things she is thinking, things like when he buys her a new car, is she being paid for sex, why is Grey so screwed up? why'd he had to have such a horrible past and what is his deal with her eating everything on her plate?

Both of the characters are complex and while Ana is growing in understanding what she wants from a relationship she has some conversations with her roommate and mother. However, she can't discuss everything and as the story progresses we wonder how much of a compromise the Ana and Christian can reach.

The book is rather explicit, there were a few word choices I wasn't thrilled with, but the story moved fast. At over 500 pages, author E. L. James writes a story that kept me interested and was fast paced. I was never bored while reading it and the length didn't seem daunting at all.

It's not the most thought provoking book you'll ever read and while it does delve into BDSM and erotica fiction, I did enjoy it. I liked the characters, overall the story seemed relatively plausible though Ana seems a little too ignorant and self-deprecating at times (and maybe even a little too eager). While this isn't my usual type of book to read I do want to read the next two books.

Recommended: Yes