How embarrassing to have to admit that I simply plowed through this book like an addicted maniac. Not since Twilight have I found myself at once inhaling a book and laughing at myself for doing so. 
 Yikes, where to begin? Fifty Shades of Grey, first off, is not going to win any writing awards. The writing itself is rather on the awful side. How many times must the lead character bite her lip? How many times do we have to be told how unbelievably gorgeous Christian Grey is? Why can't this British writer manage to sort out American word usage? No, we Americans do not have marquees... At the very least, this book could have used a good editor. 
 And yet, I couldn't help myself. I got totally absorbed in this rather trite love story. Can you actually call it a love story? I'm not sure. Innocent, virginal Anastasia Steele falls under the spell of the handsome, enigmatic billionaire Christian Grey, who has a tortured past and a kinky soul. Will he break her, or will she change him? 
 Yes, I know that Fifty Shades supposedly started as Twilight fanfiction, and all the elements are pretty obvious. Meek, self-conscious, clumsy girl who just doesn't realize how special and beautiful she is. Otherworldy good-looking and unobtainable older leading man with a dangerous secret, who has never let anyone get close to him. Warnings from him to her about how she should run away while she still can. Stalker-like behavior, showing up uninvited, taking up every moment of her life, wanting to lavish her with expensive gifts, constantly fearful for her safety. 
 I think I'm making it sound much worse than it is! I can make fun of it no end, but the fact remains that once I started, I really couldn't put this down. The end isn't really an ending, just a stop at a dramatic moment, which means -- damn it! -- that I must immediately acquire book #2. 
 And for those who haven't read all the other hype about this book: Yes, it's graphic. Definitely not for the prudish or faint of heart. Otherwise, have at it, but be warned -- once you start, you probably won't get a whole lot done until you finish.