Penguin Random House UKE.L. James has one dirty mind. That's what keeps people flocking to her novels year after year (because it's certainly not for the high-quality writing...ba-dum-ch).
The first three books in the Fifty Shades of Grey series were certainly blush-worthy, which explains why there was such a frenzy to scoop up copies as soon as it released last week. The smut level did not disappoint, at least according to Twitter users who posted NSFW passages like "Swallowing semen—you get an A in that" and "An image of her shackled to my bench, peeled gingerroot inserted in her a-- so she can't clench her buttocks."
Hot tamale.
But it seems that for some odd reason, readers aren't actually drawn to the dirty lines in Grey as much as we thought they would be.
Amazon Books collects all sorts of information from Kindle readers, most interesting being the most highlighted passages of each of the company's books. Back when the original 50 Shades story came out the most popular lines included the poetic "Stop biting your lip, or I will f--k you in the elevator" and "I don't make love, I f--k hard." Ahh romance.
But for the newest in the series, the most popular passages are decidedly tamer. Could it be that readers are simply becoming more romantic, or are they just really tired of reading about gingerroot in butt cheeks? If you're one of these avid fans, please advise.
In the meantime, here are the 10 most popular lines from Grey for your reading pleasure.
1. "Why didn't you tell me there was danger? Why didn't you warn me? Ladies know what to guard against, because they read novels that tell them of these tricks."
2. "Only when the last leaf has fallen, the last tree has died, and the last fish been caught will we realize that we cannot eat money."
3. "'Oh, f--k the paperwork.' The words come from nowhere and on instinct I grab her and push her against the wall. Clasping both her hands, I pin them above her head so she can't touch me, and once she's secure, I twist my other hand in her hair while my lips seek and find hers."
4. "The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership."
5. "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
6. "'You are mine,' I whisper. 'Only mine. Don't forget it.'"
7. "With one last lingering look at Anastasia Steele—the first woman I've ever slept with—I head out for my run."
8. "A man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled."
9. "I can tell, baby, but right now I don't give a damn because I can't take my eyes off your mouth."
10. "Clear, embarrassed eyes meet mine and halt me in my tracks. They are the most extraordinary color, powder blue, and guileless, and for one awful moment, I think she can see right through me and I'm left…exposed. The thought is unnerving, so I dismiss it immediately."