The phones have been red hot here at Calibre with members asking for E L James’ erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey. Many of the callers have been ladies over 70 years wanting to keep up with the latest contemporary fiction.   

To illustrate how popular this book has been, in the past 6 months we have 300 requests for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. In contrast, we have received an unprecedented 100 requests for Fifty Shades of Grey in just two weeks.

The story has featured in the 'Bucks Herald' and several national newspapers including the 'Daily Mail';  'Daily Mirror' and  'The Daily Telegraph'. It was a prominent article on the leading news website 'The Huffington Post' .

International publications such as 'The Times of India' are also covering the story as well as newspapers in the US and the Netherlands.

BBC South's Oxford News will be broadcasting a piece featuring Christine Ronaldson, Head of Literature of Audio Book Production on Friday 17th August at 1850.

Christine says:

“As a library with 8,500 audiobooks covering over 60 categories from fiction to non-fiction, we have to respond to what our members want to read.  Our decision to add this popular series reflects this. We believe that people who are visually impaired should have the same access to books as sighted people. Our members can choose not to receive X-rated books, but many others like a story with a bit of spice.”  

The  trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey (no. 9424), Fifty Shades Darker( 9425) and Fifty Shades Freed (9426) is available on request by phone 01296 432 339; by e-mail enquiries@calibre.org.uk or write to us: Calibre Audio Library, New Road, Aylesbury, Bucks. HP22 5XQ.