Erotic trilogy Fifty Shades flies off Hobsons Bay bookshelves

HOBSONS Bay readers can’t get enough of Fifty Shades, a women’s erotica book trilogy.

More than 40 library borrowers have reserved EL James’s first instalment, Fifty Shades of Grey, while Williamstown’s Book and Paper bookshop has twice sold out of the title.

Store owner Sue Martin said the book was romping out the door.

“We have sold about 30-40 copies so far of Fifty Shades and haven’t been able to keep up with the demand due to the distributors being out of stock.

“Also, people have rushed in to buy the second and third, so the whole trilogy is showing to be very popular.”

Written by a West London TV executive, who is a wife and mother of two, the trilogy last week cracked all three top spots on Random House’s bestseller list.

Altona Meadows’ Big W store is also struggling to keep up with demand.

The department store’s Rochelle Rattya said copies were flying off the shelf.

“There’s huge demand, huge demand,” she said.

“I’m not sure if I’m being crude, but sex just sells.”

On Friday, the store was waiting to receive 140 copies of the books.

“They can be gone by Monday,” Ms Rattya said.

“I had nearly 60 books on the Saturday before Mother’s Day and there were three left by the end of the day.”

Having read the book, Ms Rattya confirmed it was worth the wait.

“I love it – if you’re into that sort of thing. If you’re not open-minded, it’s probably not for you.”

The book has been the store’s biggest seller since The Hunger Games

-Goya Dmytryshchak