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The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
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Tolkien, J.R.R.; The Hobbit "Buddy Read" (Start Date: June 8th, 2013)
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Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief
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~ “Buddy Reads” and the 7% Solution Challenge ~
With regards to the 7% Solution Challenge taking place within the Tower Teams Reading Challenge, the Mods have decided that you do NOT need to create a day’s worth of DQs to satisfy Category #4 - Books of the Month or any impromptu “buddy reads.”
As far as the current BOMs, the Mods would appreciate any help (and there might be a cupcake
or two in it for your Team, if you do a set). Note: We added start dates to the threads’ titles.
Requirement for 7% Completion
Nevertheless, we stipulate that members participating in that challenge need to give more than a two sentence statement. Something more than, “I loved it. But hated the cliffhanger at the end...” repeatedly, member after member.
One example we liked was a comment or two at the end of every chapter or two where people put these under “view spoiler” (view spoiler). This is fine with us, though that makes it difficult to access for members reading on their phones.
Therefore, there needs to be some kind of designated stopping points for discussion - by chapters with view spoilers, as mentioned, or defined sections - agreed upon or defined by someone willing to make the suggestion.
If you like, you may reserve a post that refers the Mods to your comments.
Example (For this example, they all go to the same post; hopefully, you get the idea.)
Steven - link to my comments 6/10 on The Hobbit
Steven - link to my comments 6/12 on The Hobbit
Steven - link to my comments 6/14 on The Hobbit
:) Tagged to subscribe (so I can find this one again haha)Joining in also :)
Darn I'll be reading this in July. I'll have to check back.
Mod
Mod
Barbara★, you may still read this in July and count it toward the 7% Challenge, if you follow the above.
No DQs are necessary, per the above, ❀Oo❀.
Count me in for this one!
Great, Logan. Nice to see you here.
So I am getting a head start on this because I have so much to read in June!I'm about 17% of the way in, and I'm really enjoying it!
I've tried to read Tolkien before, years ago, and didn't make it far. I think having seen the movies (and LOVED THEM) has really changed my mind on these... also, I think my branching out of mostly mystery/thriller types and into the fantasy genre has helped as well.
I am looking forward to more discussion of this when June 8th rolls around. :)
I am totally enjoying this book way more than expected. I loved loved loved the movies, but I've tried reading the LOTR before, and it didn't happen.This makes me really happy as now I think I'll be reading the LOTR series as well :)
Also, I'll be watching the movies this weekend! HEHE!
Hello everyone!I'm here in name of Hobbit team to welcome you to our little world.
You're welcome to rest in one of our Hobbit holes before your journey. Pantries are full, pipe-weed is stocked (if you need pipes, there are some over fireplace), beds are cozy (if little small), neighbors are quiet.
We could also be persuaded to throw little farewell party. ☺
Thank you for coming, and have a safe trip.
Will Gandalf be providing fireworks for the farewell party? :D
We haven't got confirmation from him yet. But two of our folk do have some experience with fireworks.If there is party, there will be fireworks. ☺
Want to join in for this one. I have been needing a reason to re-read The Hobbit and this is a perfect reason. lol :D
Yes, the Hobbits are endearing creatures. Laughed over the "Tookinsness" too, every time I've read it. LOL! Glad you're enjoying it, ❀Oo❀.
OoWriteing style in Hobbit is so different from LOTR. I will compare this like Hobbit is YA and LOTR is complex adult fantasy. There are so many books that Tolkien wrote about world of Middleearth and when I started years ago reading LOTR I couldn't štop for days and nights. And than Simarillion, history of times and races of elves, humans, dwarfs, language and so on.
Read LOTR and than if you want to know more about it you can read few more.
Im ready to start reading - how far do I need to read ?
Doesn't bother me at all, ❀Oo❀. I still read it every few years and probably will continue to do so. Yes, the movie is awesome, too. Interestingly enough, Jackson added things from Tolkien's other books to fill the movie out more and to make it join with the rest of the series more, too. He has done an awesome job, proving it is his passion.
Sallie(Shuga) wrote: "Im ready to start reading - how far do I need to read ?"I don't know, Sallie. Depends on how the group want to divide it up. 25% a day? 20%? 33%?
There looks to be others that want to join. You might get with them and decide on stopping points for discussion, Sallie.
Mod
1. Is this the first time you’ve read The Hobbit? Have you seen the movie? Or do you want to read the book first?
2. What is your first impression of Bilbo? His relationship with Gandalf?
3. Why do you think Gandalf picked Bilbo to go on the quest with the dwarves? What of his lie about Bilbo being a thief? Is it “smoothed over” by his telling the dwarves that hobbits can go unnoticed? Why did he pick a hobbit at all, since they abhor adventure?
4. What about your first impression Thorin Oakenshield? His interactions with Bilbo? Are any of the other dwarves a favorite?
5. Why do you think that Gandalf keeps leaving the party on “other business”?
6. Tolkien intended this story to be read by young and old alike. Do you think it is suited for one group more than the other?
7. Tolkien's work has often been criticized for its dearth of women characters. In The Hobbit, only Bilbo's mother, Belladonna Took, is mentioned. (The movie added Galadriel to the cast.) Does all this testosterone change the tone of Tolkien's adventure? Would it have changed if he included a few lady hobbits, elves, or dwarves in this journey? Or didn’t you notice the lack? Why do you think he didn't include them?
8. New Line will be splitting the story of The Hobbit into three full-length features. We already know the first; where do you think they should make the next stopping point?
9. Another complaint about The Hobbit is the amount of songs and poems included, especially by the “younger adult generation.” Why so? Did you read them? Skim them? Enjoy them? Dislike them?
10. Do you like Tolkien's subtle use of humor? What was your favorite so far?
Moderators of Nothing but Reading Challenges wrote: "Discussion points to consider as you read The Hobbit. We’ll post more as you read farther.
1. Is this the first time you’ve read The Hobbit? Have you seen the movie? Or do you want to read..."
1. This is my third or fourth I read Hobbit. I didn't see the movie yet ( might do that thease days). I always want to read the book first like Hunger games ect.
2. I love descriptions of Hobbits, like in Hobbit book, LOTR books and Simarilion book. I always laugh about amount of thertr meals.
3. Galdalf picked Bilbo because he trusts Bilbo has adventures side in him ( Tooks side) and he knows him during the long period of years. Not because of his great deeds.
4. Thorin and his family history nd his resolution to return dwarfs greatness. Great leader.
5. Gandalf other business are not to be questioned. He always has secret agenda.
6. Hobbit is book for all generations. People I know read Toelkin are " older" generations. More older now I think of all eseys written on that theme.
7. I don't mind there is no women in Hobbit. It's a time like in history women never went to bettle or quests. Only in romantic books nowdays women are in it. Great women roles are always great ones in books.
8. For me, it's so lame to split Hobbit into 3 parts. Didn't sea the movie so I don't know where is the stop of đirst one.
9. I read the poems but I'm not a fun of them so I read them fast and go to the story .
10. So far it's funny about Bilbo's shareing the food with dwarfs and second breakfast. While I read I always keep notes so I'll keep attantion.
@ Ozana#1 - I've lost track of the number of times I've read it, but all of you doing so makes me want to pick it up again; it is that type of book.
#2 - I've never read
- but I might get to it this year as a "buddy read." We'll see.#5 - Yes, Gandalf has many pots on the stove.
#7 - I never minded this, either. **shrugs**
#8 - Jackson is devoting more pages per minutes of movie to The Hobbit than he did to LotR. Love the in-depth detail of the movie. But he did include some of information from the footnotes (I think) from The Silmarillion.
#9 - Sometimes, when I read this book, I read all the poems and sometimes I skim; depends on my mood.
#10 - Yes, the term "second breakfast" always makes me smile. Plus, Bilbo's worry over his pantry reserves after the dwarves invade his larder. LOL!
@ Lisa KayIt is always fun reading the Hobbit, isn't, especially with people who love that book and smile ober Bilbos clumsiness ant witt. Glad we're doing this.
Yes, Ozana, I had to go get the audio CDs and pop them into my computer to listen again. I just couldn't stand not being in on all the fun again. LOL!
1. This is the first time I'll have read it all the way through. At some point many years ago I picked it up but never finished it. I thought it was boring. After I saw The Fellowship of the Ring and loved it, I read LOTR and also loved it, but never went back to this one. Now that I've seen the first Hobbit movie, I'm giving it another go. And so far, so good!2. I like Bilbo - especially his hidden sense of adventure. I loved that he secretly wanted to go and try new things, but needed a little push to get going.
3. I think Gandalf knows Bilbo wants more adventure than he lets on - whether he knows this because he's a Took or because he just knows Bilbo that well, I'm not sure. Gandalf has spent a lot of time with hobbits, so I think he figures selling Bilbo as a thief is the most likely and believable way to get him accepted. And also to give us some foreshadowing!
4. Thorin seems very reserved and smart, if a bit gruff. I haven't quite gotten a handle on him yet. The other dwarves seem to be there mostly for comic relief at this point, and none of them stand out as individuals. Thirteen is too many!
6. I think this is appropriate for all ages, and balances the line quite well. It's not too wordy or complicated for kids, but it has enough sly humor and adventure to keep adults interested. Well done.
7. I hadn't really given this much thought so far. Maybe Tolkien didn't write female characters well at this point, or maybe he was worried that adding a female would require a love element that he didn't want to get into. It hasn't really bothered me.
9. I admit to skimming the songs and poetry. I'm never a fan of reading song lyrics if I don't know the tune.
10. I adore the humor here. The dinner scene with the dwarves was quite funny, and I love the bit when Bilbo realizes he's forgotten his handkerchief. Of all the things to be concerned with!
Yes,People expect similaritis with LOTR but Hobbit is something completly different. Important thing in Hobbit is The Ring, finding the Ring of Power...
@ Logan#2 – Yes, I think he presented Gandalf with a little bit of a challenge there, and Gandalf took him up on it when he referred to his “Tookishness.” LOL! We saw Gandalf’s mischievous side. Plus, he realized that Bilbo was innately good, and that was needed on this adventure.
#7 – I am usually disappointed when there are not females to relate to – however, I didn’t find that to be the case in The Hobbit. Bilbo is so much an ‘everyperson’ – not just an ‘everyman.’
#10 – Yes! LOL! Love the part about the handkerchief. He’s going to need a lot more than that, before all is said and done.
@ OzanaVery turn. As ❀Oo❀ said, this story isn’t so much character driven as story driven. Though, I disagree a little with this; these are fascinating characters, and their innate nature is important to the story.
Lisa Kay - you're so right about Bilbo as an everyperson. That's the way I see him too!
Lisa Key and LoganI agree with you that he's an everyperson.
Maybe I'm bit too much fascinated with LOTR and discriptivness in that trilogy so I'll pay more attention to Hobbit now.
Lisa Kay, agree that so many interesting characters and each have his own role in this quest.
Gandals choose Bilbo because he trusts he can do much more than his inborn nature of Hobbit is destined to and he's a magician too.
Ozana - I'm with you on the food thing too. I love that Bilbo has enough food to feed 14 people tea and dinner and breakfast! Ha! That'd be the day at my house. I would only be able to offer cooked pasta and rice with no sauce. ;)
Logan- Imagine that scene in your home and loads of plates pots,tea cups to wash. What a great introductions scene in Hobbit Tolkien wrote funny and serious. Just perfect!
This one is one of my favourites. I read it only once and it´s 5 stars. Too bad I don´t rate classics.my link text
So far, I have just started the book (for the zillionth time lol) but I wanted to give some of my impressions from previous readings.1. Is this the first time you’ve read The Hobbit? Have you seen the movie? Or do you want to read the book first?
I have read the book about every few years since I was a small child. I loved it then and am looking forward to re-reading it.
I had just seen the movie a couple months ago. I really liked it and felt it stayed fairly close to the story. I did notice differences in the movie compared to the book. I had heard that the director including other writings from J.R.R. Tolkien, but I have never read them, just the Hobbit and LOTR.
2. What is your first impression of Bilbo? His relationship with Gandalf?
My impression of Bilbo is someone who enjoys just being alive. Bilbo does not have a specific relationship with Gandalf (at this point where I am at) but he does remember Gandalf fondly from his early years.
6. Tolkien intended this story to be read by young and old alike. Do you think it is suited for one group more than the other?
I do not think it is suited for just one age group. Of course this is coming from someone who has no problems reading elementary grade books for enjoyment. :D lol
7. Tolkien's work has often been criticized for its dearth of women characters. In The Hobbit, only Bilbo's mother, Belladonna Took, is mentioned. (The movie added Galadriel to the cast.) Does all this testosterone change the tone of Tolkien's adventure? Would it have changed if he included a few lady hobbits, elves, or dwarves in this journey? Or didn’t you notice the lack? Why do you think he didn't include them?
I never noticed it and would not have had a problem with it if I had. :D I do not think he included them because during his time women did not go on "dangerous adventures".
9. Another complaint about The Hobbit is the amount of songs and poems included, especially by the “younger adult generation.” Why so? Did you read them? Skim them? Enjoy them? Dislike them?
It would depend on the length. If it is long, I would skim them, but the short ones I would read. I do not have problems with them, but I do see how they can bother others. I don't have any ideas on why the younger generations tend to not like them. :D
Well, my current larder is full, Logan, but I would run out of fresh ingredients pretty fast feeding all those dwarves!!
Ozana wrote: "Logan- Imagine that scene in your home and loads of plates pots,tea cups to wash."Ugh! I wouldn't want to do the washing up!
@ Melissa#1 – Whoa. You’ve read it more than I have, though I’ve lost count. Probably somewhere between 5 & 10 for me.
#2 – Yes, I think Gandalf wanted Bilbo to remember his childhood love of adventure.
#7 – I never noticed this, either, until it was talked about when I became an adult. So, obviously this book eclipsed the feminist debate, at least for me.
#9 – I do this, too. And I think this factors back to when Tolkien wrote this book (and people didn’t watch near the amount of TV, radio, and other media they do today). We get that need for song filled elsewhere and now we just want to get on with the adventure.
❀ Oo ❀ wrote: "Oh NO! Oh, no, no, no ,no. ''Shakes head vehemently. I'm about to disappoint LK. How can I do this to HER, of all people? Shudders and runs down the road screaming in angsty horror."Well, I finis..."
I also noticed that The Hobbit can be chocked full of information, but I have found that the more I read it the more I get out of it. Does that make any sense? lol Though, not every book is going to be to every persons' cup of tea. so to speak. :) People who didn't like Hobbit may find that they loved LOTR because like Ozana said, Hobbit is more YA where LOTR is more adult.
Lisa Kay wrote: "@ Melissa#1 – Whoa. You’ve read it more than I have, though I’ve lost count. Probably somewhere between 5 & 10 for me.
..."
lol
Logan wrote: "I love the bit when Bilbo realizes he's forgotten his handkerchief. ..."Yes, Bilbo can be so fussy at times. lol He seems to want to be correct in everything.
❀ Oo ❀ wrote: "Yikes!?! A girl goes to a movie and the next minute all book comments are unleashed from the furies of a Hobbitian cave!@Ladybug akak Cute Maltese picture..."
you have been warned. bwahhahaahah *did I get the evil laugh down? lol.
The Maltese is my cute little animal child Orion McDervish. Dervy for short. :D
1. Is this the first time you’ve read The Hobbit? Have you seen the movie? Or do you want to read the book first?(view spoiler)
2. What is your first impression of Bilbo? His relationship with Gandalf?
(view spoiler)
3. Why do you think Gandalf picked Bilbo to go on the quest with the dwarves? What of his lie about Bilbo being a thief? Is it “smoothed over” by his telling the dwarves that hobbits can go unnoticed? Why did he pick a hobbit at all, since they abhor adventure?
(view spoiler)
4. What about your first impression Thorin Oakenshield? His interactions with Bilbo? Are any of the other dwarves a favorite?
(view spoiler)
5. Why do you think that Gandalf keeps leaving the party on “other business”?
(view spoiler)
6. Tolkien intended this story to be read by young and old alike. Do you think it is suited for one group more than the other?
(view spoiler)
7. Tolkien's work has often been criticized for its dearth of women characters. In The Hobbit, only Bilbo's mother, Belladonna Took, is mentioned. (The movie added Galadriel to the cast.) Does all this testosterone change the tone of Tolkien's adventure? Would it have changed if he included a few lady hobbits, elves, or dwarves in this journey? Or didn’t you notice the lack? Why do you think he didn't include them?
(view spoiler)
8. New Line will be splitting the story of The Hobbit into three full-length features. We already know the first; where do you think they should make the next stopping point?
(view spoiler)
9. Another complaint about The Hobbit is the amount of songs and poems included, especially by the “younger adult generation.” Why so? Did you read them? Skim them? Enjoy them? Dislike them?
(view spoiler)
10. Do you like Tolkien's subtle use of humor? What was your favorite so far?
(view spoiler)
@ Sallie#10. I remember reading this when I was a juvenile and living in Los Angeles - otherwise know as Smog Central!!! (To say the least.) I knew when the book was written and I couldn't get over the fact that Tolkien knew what smog was - up until then I thought it was a very modern problem.
I thought the name was Smaug. I must check.
You are right on the spelling, Ozana. It is just pronounced the same.
So Smaug means smog. Is it. I thought it was just his name and never connected with smog.
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
The Silmarillion (other topics)The Hobbit, or There and Back Again (other topics)
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.
Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published in 1937. Now recognized as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent. The text in this 372-page paperback edition is based on that first published in Great Britain by Collins Modern Classics (1998), and includes a note on the text by Douglas A. Anderson (2001). Unforgettable!
EXPECT SPOILERS~