In passing I had heard the buzz about a hot new book – something about Shades of Gray.  It seemed to be THE topic.  They mentioned it on Good Morning America, and maybe The View. I really didn’t listen to the conversations, but just heard them mention the book.   Friend BB had also said she had heard talk of it.

As I walk down the magazine aisle of Kroger, looking for a reward for going grocery shopping, I notice this book.  It is a New York Times Bestseller  – “Between Shades of Gray” by Ruta Sepetys. Says I to myself, “Oh, I have been hearing of this.  I will read it and see what what all the talk is about.”

I started the book, and it was good.  It began in Lithuania in 1941, and chronicles a family that was sent to a Siberian labor camp at the North Pole.  (Patton was right.  We should have gone after the Russians.)  It was easy reading, and I finished it in a day.  Still I thought I must be missing something.  Maybe it is an important book about human rights?  Friend Ms Ralph told me that what I was reading didn’t quite fit the vibes she was getting from the talk shows.  I ask her what she meant, but she really couldn’t put it into words.

While playing cards last night, someone ask if anyone had read “Fifty Shades of Grey?”  Fifty?  “Fifty Shades of Grey”?

Oh, Sweet Mother of Pearl!   I  read the wrong book.  From what I hear, there is a vast difference between the frigid Arctic in “Between Shades of Gray”,  and the steamy bedrooms of E.L. James’ “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

I have a good book to loan if anyone wants to borrow it.