What's all this Fuss about "Fifty Shades of Grey"?

The first time I heard about this book was when my friend casually pointed to her copy on the coffee table at her house and said with a smirk, "It's like the porno of books". 
I chuckled, and brushed the book off as just another over the top, unrealistic, erotic romance novel. 


But it wasn't the last time I would hear about it. In fact, I hear about it everywhere, people reference it all the time, and now I'm wondering, jeez, what is with this book? 


My first impression of the book still stands despite me not reading it, which I will probably have to at some point since curiosity will most likely prevail. 

I looked up reviews of the book and found this great article on the nytimes website. According to several sources in the article, the series is "'just another conventional depiction of female submission. And more off-putting than most. Same old same old.'"


Interestingly, quoted from the article,  " Helen Fisher, the anthropologist and Rutgers professor, warns keening feminists: “Let’s not confuse the bedroom and the boardroom. This is the world of fantasy and play." "

You got me Helen Fisher.

I can't seem to make a decisive opinion on this wildly talked about trilogy so maybe I should stop being a smart ass and just read it? 
Oh, but I hate submitting to popular culture...just kidding...sort of. 


xx