Fifty Shades of Grey - are you looking for a copy?

Reading that is.

Erotic sensation Fifty Shades of Grey has been selling out all over town as it continues to dominate the bestseller charts.

This is THAT book. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. The first in a trilogy by female author E L James, which has apparently become the fastest selling paperback in Britain since records began.

“As fast as we get copies in, we are selling them,” said Lyn Wright, entertainment section team leader at Sainsbury’s, on Highgrounds Road.

“I’ve worked here 19 years, 13 of them on the book section, and have never known anything like it.”

“I have read it because my curiosity was aroused - but that’s the only thing that was.”

Amanda Copeland, non-food manager at Gateford Road Tesco’s, said they were getting deliveries in every day to cope with demand.

“It’s been phenomenal, as soon as they come in they go out. We’ve sold hundreds, I’ve never known a book as popular.”

Sales have apparently been fuelled by women discussing it on Facebook, who buy it because they don’t want to feel they are missing out.

A Notts libraries spokesman said there were now almost 200 people county-wide on the waiting list to borrow it.

They have 48 copies around the county but have ordered a further 29 to cope with demand.

Worksop library’s assistant manager Beverley Widdop said: “Often there is a surge of interest when a book is published following a film, but on this occasion it seems to be a book that is in demand nationally, and we are noticing the trend locally across the county.”

At Retford’s independent book shop Bookworm, assistant Gareth Pearce said copies of the book, which was first available as an internet download, were like “gold dust”.

“It really has been flying off the shelves,” he said.

So what is it about this book that’s getting women hot under the collar?

Sharon Brandom, of Worksop, said: “I normally read true life crime, I’m not interested in romance or chick lit, but I was intrigued so I bought it.”

“I couldn’t put it down. It’s not well written but it’s addictive.”

“When I put a post about it on Facebook I got the most comments I’ve ever had. It was like being part of a national book club.”

Tracy Smith, of Worksop, said she first heard about it on Facebook and was intrigued to find out what it was all about.

“It’s a bit different to what I normally read. I’m on the second book now. It’s good, but I’m wanting more of a story to come out now,” she said.

In the interests of research I read the book too.

I’m no literary snob, but the clunking, repetitive writing just left me bored.

Do we really need to be told on every other page that Christian has grey eyes and Ana likes English tea?

After 40-plus years of feminism, I found it quite depressing that a story about male dominance should prove so popular.

I’d rather have a feisty Catherine Cookson heroine any day.