Conversations - Is 15 Years Old Too Young To Be Reading Fifty Shades of Grey?

Conversations is a meme from Geraldine @ Corralling Books and Joan @ Fiddler Blue.

Basically, 'Conversations' is a bunch of topics to discuss at set times - and you know I me, I like a discussion.

I figure I'll just put in my two-pennies if/when I feel like jumping in on a topic. Because that's how I roll guys ;)


This week's topic is:

Is 15 Years Old Too Young To Be Reading Fifty Shades of Grey?


My first response to this question was a knee-jerk one, and it was this:

15 YEAR OLDS SHOULDN'T BE READING FIFTY SHADES. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD?!?!?!

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Then I calmed the hell down and decided to think about things logically.



Now, I haven't read Fifty Shades, so this is going to be a general erotica/sexy-times-related discussion.

I'm pretty sure the points will also relate to Fifty Shades - because I haven't been living under a freaking rock, and I have a basic understanding of what Fifty Shades is about.

Just to be clear - what we're dealing with here is graphic sex scenes and BDSM.



15 years old is below the age of consent in most countries.

I would never EVER actively encourage 15 year olds to read erotica.

Because that would be giving porn to a minor, and apart from being hugely creepy *shudders*, it's probably bordering on illegal.

Well...maybe not. I don't know - it ain't right to encourage you anyhow! So I'm not going to.

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What is erotica?


A difficult one to define - but let's be honest: erotica is a book that is written with the sole purpose of sexual arousal.

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It always has graphic sex scenes. Usually more than one sex scene, dependent on the length of book.

I'm sure the argument can be made that a lot of romances border on erotica, or even are erotica. But there's always going to be fuzziness between genres.

I think intention is important - sure, you can have a steamy romance, but if it's more focused on the relationship than the sex then it's probably still a romance.

If the only reason for the relationship stuff is clearly to get the characters (ahem) together in the bedroom-sense, then you're probably dealing with erotica.

Again, there's no definitive here - but if you're dealing with a lot of graphic descriptions of the (ahem) mechanics of the bedroom, then it's probably erotica.



Why do people read erotica?

I'm sure there a lots of reasons - but at it's heart, erotica is a way of exploring sex, sexuality, and ultimately what (ahem) appeals to you... without placing yourself in dangerous or inappropriate situations.

For a discussion on the appeal, and the pros and cons, of erotica in general - and BDSM erotica also - take a look at Hans M Hirschi's excellent blog post.



The 15-year-olds perspective...

Remembering back to the dim and distance time in which I was fifteen, I'd say that the majority of fifteen-year-olds believe they're mature enough for this, but actually aren't.

At the same time, you aren't going to stop kids from getting hold of Fifty Shades and the like if they really want to.

Obviously, don't encourage them.

But, if they are reading this stuff, then hopefully their parents/relevant adults are approachable enough to make sex a topic that's not forbidden, but not so approachable that it starts to get a little weird.

(Talking to your parents about sex is uncomfortable at best. Let the kid know you'll talk about it if they want, then wait for them to come to you. And try to give off the general aura of believing in safe, sane, and consensual, sex.)

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The Internet exists, and the genie's out of the bottle

Ignoring the sheer amount of live-action and 'traditional' porn on the Internet, there's also a lot of pornographic fanfiction and fanart.

I know this, because I read fanfiction. And there are some things I just will never be able to un-see *fanfiction flashbacks here.*

What worries me the most though is that most fic writers, and readers, are under 16. This is some pretty heavy sh** to be writing and reading when you're so damned young.

And how do you even know this level of detail at that age?!?! I didn't know about lube at 16, but apparently the teenagers of the Internet are experts in the subject. (*Further fanfiction flashbacks.*)

Fifty Shades of Grey actually came from Twilight fanfiction, on the Internet. Yes, this is the typical level of sexy-times that is available to most movie, book, and TV franchises and fandoms on fanfiction sites.

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To be honest, Fifty Shades is tame compared to some things I've read *more flashbacks.*



So, what was my point again?

In an ideal world, no 15-year-old would be reading erotica.

We don't live in an ideal world - we live in the real world (*sigh*  I'm gonna find Narnia someday, honest.)

In the real world, teenagers are curious about sex, and porn is readily available. You do the metaphorical math.

The way forward, my dear friends, is not to expect 15-year-olds to be angels, but to be ready to talk to them if and when they have questions.

And to place emphasis on respect, safety, and consent.




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• Pleasure, Not Guilt
• Friday Fics Fix - There Is Omegaverse (And I'm Taking You All Down With Me)

Friday Fics Fix! - Stucky Time

Another week, another chance for me to scar you all for life via the medium of fanfiction.

 

But fear not, my nerdlets!

There is no graphic sex in this week's fic! For like, the third week in a row. I'm actually beginning to worry.

(It's quiet... too quiet...)

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Maybe I've just had the luck to find a rich vein of non-pornographic fanfiction. I'll try and enjoy it while it lasts (this is fanfiction we're dealing with, it's not going to last long.)

So, this week's fic is a non-graphic-in-terms-of-sexy-times Stucky fic.

(Fangirling note: Stucky is where Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, and Bucky Barnes have a romantic and/or sexy-times thing going on.)

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It's worth reading just for Bucky screaming at Steve for being such an idiot; I chuckled - a lot.


This week's fic is:
You Make Sense To Me by FawkesFlame123


There is swearing, just to throw that out and letcha know. (Yes, I said letcha. Yes, I know that's grammatically incorrect. No, I don't care right now. 'Cause I'm a rebel.)

It's also a little clunky and clumsy here and there, but I liked it. So check it out, and see what you think.



Like this post? Try these:

• Friday Fics Fix - Sweet Stucky Fluff
• Friday Fics Fix - Stuck in the AU

Comics Wrap Up - This Ain't a Scene

Film Trailers


So many the teaser trailers for Captain America: Civil War this week guys! SO. MANY. THE TRAILERS.

OK, the people in the next one with the punching and the kicking and the weapons?

STOP HURTING MY BUCKY BEAR!!!!!



Graphic Novels

This week I reviewed Blood Stain, Vol 1 by Linda Šejić.

Dudes, I cannot explain fully in this brief wrap-up the degree of the rockitude of this graphic novel. You'll have to go read my review.

And Linda Šejić? A very cool person, who was totally classy when I accidentally shared the wrong link to Twitter. (I should not be permitted online before coffee. It just doesn't end well.)

I also read and reviewed Echoes by Joshua Hale Fialkov. Creepy, cool, and black-and-white, you can check out my review here.

I read Luna the Vampire, Volume 1: Grumpy Space by Yasmin Sheikh - an uber-wacky set of adventures about a vampire who lives in space. As you do.

My review for Luna the Vampire will probably be up within the next week or so.

Other Stuff

Came across this weird little faux-documentary trailer thingummy as promo for X-Men: Age of Apocalypse:



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AND GERARD WAY HAS A DC IMPRINT!!!!!

THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!

Gerard Way's DC imprint is Young Animal. And it looks pretty damned cool.

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This week I also spent far too long watching spoofs of superhero movie trailers.

Here're two of my favourites from ArtSpear Entertainment (adult humour, gore, swearing, etc...)



Like this post? Try these:

• Review! (Graphic Novel Edition!) - Blood Stain, Vol 1
• Review! (Graphic Novel Edition!) - Echoes, Vol 1 by Joshua Hale Fialkov
• Comics Wrap Up - Little Frayed Around the Edge

Last updated: 30th Jan 2026

Review! (Graphic Novel Edition!) - Echoes, Vol 1 by Joshua Hale Fialkov

**This post contains Amazon.com affiliate links, which allow me to earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.**

**Please only use my affiliate links for .COM purchases, as I do NOT earn from other Amazon sites**

Title: Echoes, Vol 1

Author: Joshua Hale Fialkov

Contributors: Rahsan Ekedal, Troy Peteri, Ryan Cady

Genre: Graphic Novel, Horror, Crime

Series: Echoes (#1-5)

A few starting notes:

I received a free digital review copy of this book via NetGalley. NetGalley provides review copies from publishers in exchange for fair and honest reviews.

This looked both cool and creepy.

To be honest, it doesn't really take more than that to draw me in. Cool? Creepy? Yep, I'll give it a shot.

Review! (Graphic Novel Edition!) - Blood Stain, Vol 1

Title: Blood Stain, Volume 1

Author: Linda Šejić

Genre: Graphic Novel

Series: Blood Stain

Release Date: 19 April 2016

Amazon: UK - USA

A few starting notes:

I received a free digital review copy of this book via NetGalley. NetGalley provides review copies from publishers in exchange for fair and honest reviews.

This looked to be in a similar style to the graphic novels by Linda Šejić's husband, Stjepan.

And since I loved the way that sort of style worked in Death Vigil (UK - US) which I reviewed last year, I thought I'd try this too.

Premise:

Ellie is out of work and out of luck.

So... maybe the scientist's assistant job looks a bit... freaking creepy... but... she needs the work. Right?

Best bits:

I loved, loved, LOVED Ellie's memories of jobs gone wrong, as well as her slightly paranoid mental ramblings and imaginings. It made her a) likeable, b) realistic, and c) laugh-out-loud funny!

The style of artwork that Šejić uses is similar to her husbands style - that same openness of lines, and deft work on facial expressions, can be found here as well as in Stjepan's work.

But Šejić brings her own edge, her own voice, to the book.

Instead of being caught in her husband's shadow, she flourishes in it - using the bits she requires, and binding it with own humour and storytelling.

I think you can probably guess by now - I LOVED this book.

I loved the characters. I loved the situation. I loved Ellie's random scatter-brained thoughts.

Ellie rocks - a character you can sympathise with, empathise with, and laugh at, in equal measure. I love her!

I also absolutely loved the possibilities for further instalments - DAMMIT I NEED MORE!

Not so great bits:

The odd bit of swearing, and some panels that could be conceivably called gory if you squint and turn your head a bit, won't put most people off. But I've told you it's there, so now it's up to you.

I did get slightly discombobulated (love that word!) during one or two of the flashback sessions. Because I didn't understand what we were flashing back to. But I worked it out in the end!

My main problem with this graphic novel though is that THERE WASN'T ENOUGH OF IT!!!!!!

I need to know what happened!!!

We're only just getting started on the juicy stuff - the stuff that is our actual premise, dear book, and now you're going to pop off into the wasteland of between-volumes?!

WHY?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!?!

Verdict:

If you like relatable, realistic, awesome-sauce female leads, and awesome storytelling in general, read this book.

If you like graphic novels that actually have a brain-cell, and a fab style of artwork t'boot, read this book.

Basically, just READ THIS BOOK. Because man, I loved this book.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads

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My Contemporary YA TBR

**This post contains Amazon.com affiliate links, which allow me to earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.**

**Please only use my affiliate links for .COM purchases, as I do NOT earn from other Amazon sites**

I'm not usually much of a contemporary-genre reader, but I've been meaning to read more and more books that fall into that category.

I more than partially blame the bookish community online (you know I love you guys!) because their enthusiasm is uber-infectious.

I guess it's proof that reading is a communicable disease - and one that we need to get out there and spread ;)




This, then, is my contemporary YA TBR (To-Be Read list.)

A lot of people have slightly different definitions of what the contemporary genre actually is.

I basically went with a modern-ish setting and no magic, sci-fi, paranormal, or horror elements.

The rules can probably be bent six ways from Tuesday, but this is my list.

It's pretty damned long, so just be glad that I didn't decide to post my full TBR - we'd be here all day ;)

Nerd Church - Do We Need Segregated Fiction Prizes?

Being honest - and you guys know that I always strive for honesty - I wasn't sure about this week's Nerd Church post.

Not because it's uber-controversial, Lord knows I've blogged about more sensitive topics and lived to tell the tale,  but because I'm really not 100% sure on my feelings with this one.

I'm also not sure you guys will even be interested.

Still, no guts, no glory - so without further ado:



This week saw the release of the 2016 shortlist for the Bailey's Women's Prize For Fiction.


In case you didn't know, this is a literary prize in which ALL of the books being judged are written by women.


The shortlist is as follows, (list is from the announcement on the Prize's website) -


Cynthia Bond: Ruby | Amazon: UK - US

Anne Enright: The Green Road | Amazon: UK - US

Lisa McInerney: The Glorious Heresies | Amazon: UK - US

Elizabeth McKenzie: The Portable Veblen | Amazon: UK - US

Hannah Rothschild: The Improbability of Love | Amazon: UK - US

Hanya Yanagihara: A Little Life | Amazon: UK - US

Now, this post isn't intended to bring down the awesomeness of awesome women having awesome recognition like this.

I totally understand that these women have worked uber-hard, and I'm glad their books have been recognised.

My question is this (and yes, it's one that has been asked many, many, times before,) -



Do we need a literary prize specifically for women?

My knee-jerk reaction was no. Hell no. And no again.

After all, I'm a big believer in books being recognised for their own merit, and not who wrote them.

But then, do women need this prize in order to balance inequality in literature?

Is there inequality in literary fiction? Or, for that matter in other fiction?

(I won't get into the whole literary vs non-literary fiction debate here, because that's a whole other debate.)

Maybe the forces of equality would be better served by an agreement to shortlist the same number of men and women for a prize.

That way women are given a fair and fighting chance, while still proving to the world that they can compete on equal terms with men.

Because really, as it stands, we're not being given the chance to beat their butts in fair combat.

And I think fair combat is the only way to make sure that the best book wins.

Again, that's not to denigrate some kick-a*s female authors, who've worked damned hard on their books.



I'm just saying that my ideal literary prize would be one that shortlists six books written by men, and six books written by women.

The judges (in my ideal li'l book prize,) would not be allowed to know who wrote the book.

That way, they'd be more likely to judge the book, instead of their personal feelings towards the authors.

True, that would probably mean making them judge before publication.

BUT YOU ORGANISE A FREAKING BOOK PRIZE. I'M SURE YOU CAN FIND A WAY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

...Ok, that was a lot of Caps-Locks. Sorry. Little too much coffee. (I regret nothing!)

I guess what I'm saying is, that as far as I'm concerned, segregation of prizes is not the answer.

It doesn't prove that women are just as capable as men. It doesn't prove that we can compete equally at the highest of levels.

But there are things that can be done to even things out.

Getting off your butts and doing some organisation for the sake of equality and fairness?

Big-shot prize people, what the f**k are you waiting for?


Nerd Church is a weekly post that is basically me having a rant about various issues. Feel free to continue the discussion, but please link back here.



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