I know right, makes no sense. But something Alecia said makes sense to me. When success gets that big, you’re not just engaging typical readers, you’re engaging the ones who only read a book once every few years – and given all the people we know are pretty voracious readers – we’re probably not connected with the mass market which is why lots of people we know haven’t read 50 shades because they know its trash.

Sorry for the delayed response, you could well be right there, it could be a lot of younger people, although most of the people I know that read it are over 40, but that’s not to say a whole group of younger people didn’t read it. I definitely agree on the people who read a book every 5 years. I think that’s the vast majority of explosive box office hits. Alecia mentioned this too – that that’s the only way you get such a huge hit is by engaging those readers who don’t normally read. And sex will always sell sadly!

ooooh, I literally have no idea what this one is. But I feel like I ought to know. Tell me what it is – I bet I kick myself.

ooh I am not sure on that

Exactly – Tess of the D’Urbervilles x

Thomas Hardy…… Tess of the Búrbervilles?

That’s the one – my favourite book of all time! 🙂

Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. I was forced to read it at 16 for GCSE English over 20 years ago, and have worn out three copies over the years.