First I heard about it in tentative whispers: “Did you hear about that book?

Then I saw the author, E.L. James, a TV executive, wife, and mother, giving an interview about the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy on daytime talk show.

But I knew that the 50 Shades of Grey craze was in full-effect when I saw a copy of the first book on the nightstand in the bedroom of an older married woman I knew–she said that her book had already read book one, and now they were on book two, with plans to read finish off the trilogy. And I have never seen any book on Amazon.com with more reviews–over 6,500 and counting.

E.L James’ Grey trilogy is about a literature student named Anastasia Steel who interviews an entrepreneur named Christian Grey. After becoming enthralled by Grey, Steel begins a relationship with the him and slips deeper and deeper under his spell; she finds herself immersed in a world of his erotic desires, which are in turn a reflection of his taste for sadistic and masochistic play. As the two continue their affair they are simultaneously drawn into an increasingly intense love affair that will have them both question each other and facing their inner demons. In the words of Paris Hilton: that’s hot.

I haven’t read any of the books (yet), but for those of you who have, what do you think of the book(s)? What do you think has made the books so popular?

Note: The 50 Shades of Grey trilogy is intended for mature audiences. Jamila loves the kids; so if you don’t think you fall under the banner of ‘mature,’ please skip the comments section (and pretend you didn’t even read this post).