Erotic Fiction isn't for Everyone

The other day I was listening to the local broadcast on National Public Radio and one of the men was analyzing Fifty Shades of Grey. 

(The book, not the movie) and I found myself laughing the entire time they talked about it. People in cars next to me, probably thought I was having some sort fit or some kind of seizure from the way I was convulsing over this.

It was a guest who read the book, and came on the show to discuss it (I didn't catch his name). He said that the book was pretty much just about this creepy hot billionaire who got off on hitting women.
Now you can see why I laughed about this…

He was completely and totally right, because--in a nutshell--that's who Christian Grey is. He's one hot MOFO with lots of money and lots of issues. BUT that's not all the book is about and I think this is where Mr. Chatty NPR loses sight of why books like Fifty are so popular and why women love them. 

1. We're crazy bitches.

2. Most women like the thought of the brooding, sexy, rich, damaged alpha who will only change for them. (I know I do! ;))

He also called E.L. James a bad writer, because he saw the book as pointless. I think that's a little unfair. E.L. James is an excellent writer. Her success proves that. Just because she wrote a book about sex doesn't make her any less awesome then the guy who wrote a book about socks (or whatever is that men read, bahahaha).  

Anyway, I think this is a great way to point out that reading is totally subjective. What is considered an amazing book to someone--another person may hate it. I don't think that leaves any room for anyone to point fingers and call someone a bad writer. Erotic fiction isn't for everyone. Some people don't want to read about two unlikely hearts coming together and having mind-numbing sex for hundreds upon hundreds of page, and that's totally okay! But I like to read it, write it, know it, breathe it, dream it. No sock books for me. 

At the end of the day read what YOU like and don't be ashamed of it!