April BOTM: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

[Lisa]

“This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected.” -J.R.R. Tolkien

Hello All!
Your voices have been heard and our April BOTM has been chosen. This month we will be reading The Hobbit by the great J.R.R. Tolkien! One of the best stories out there. I hope that all of you who decide to participate enjoy the adventure!
Happy reading everyone! :D

[Nikki ~ The Nocturnal Bookworm]

This is one of my favorite books of all time I've read it about 4 times already :). Looking forward to discussing it with the group!!

[Kandice]

I just got home from WonderCon and I attended a "Ringer" panel with my son. It's amazing how much people actually study Tolkien. He was, undeniably, a genius and his son Christopher is still putting out books from Tolkien's papers and notes.

I've been horrible about reading along with the group, but I think I'll revisit this old favorite.

[Lisa]

Kandice wrote: "I just got home from WonderCon and I attended a "Ringer" panel with my son. It's amazing how much people actually study Tolkien. He was, undeniably, a genius and his son Christopher is still puttin..."

Yay! We'll be glad to have you join the reading! I really wish I would have had time to read The Odyssey last month but I just did not have time. I would like to go back and read that one sometime this year if I can though. I'll definitely be able to squeeze The Hobbit in this month. Or at least I hope so haha.

[Kandice]

I think The Hobbit is his most accessible book. I went through a period of years where I read Tolkien obsessively and believe The Silmarillion is actually his best work, but The Hobbit has so much more appeal.

Also, I don't care how much people bag on it, I love the 1977 cartoon! It was creepy and weird, beautiful and almost scary. Anyone seen that?

[Lisa]

Kandice wrote: "I think The Hobbit is his most accessible book. I went through a period of years where I read Tolkien obsessively and believe The Silmarillion is actually his best work, but The Hobbit ..."

I have not but I think at one point it was on Netflix and I had it on my list of stuff to watch. Now I'll have to check and see if it is still there and watch it! I actually recently bought The Silmarillion and wanted to try and read that as well as a reread of the whole The Lord of the Rings series this year. I've been in a J.R.R. Tolkien mood lately. I'm loving this read through of The Hobbit!

[Nikki ~ The Nocturnal Bookworm]

As the month draws to a close (and to promote discussion) what has been some of your favorite parts of the books? Who are your favorite characters?

[Lisa]

I love this book so much! I think my favorite parts are Tolkien's little descriptions of Bilbo's thought processes. I love the frustration and grumpiness it conveys. And I will always love Gandalf!!

[Kandice]

I read somewhere that Tolkien intended this book for children aged 8-10. I don't think it's written at that level at all, and my children could all read by 5! What do you guys think? I mean the story itself should appeal to children, but not necessarily the writing.

[Nikki ~ The Nocturnal Bookworm]

Kandice wrote: "I read somewhere that Tolkien intended this book for children aged 8-10. I don't think it's written at that level at all, and my children could all read by 5! What do you guys think? I mean the sto..."
I would agree, the story itself i could see children liking, but for most children I think the writing may make it too advanced. Maybe the language and style was more common though for kids back when it was written though?

[Lisa]

Nikki (Nyx) wrote: "Kandice wrote: "I read somewhere that Tolkien intended this book for children aged 8-10. I don't think it's written at that level at all, and my children could all read by 5! What do you guys think..."

I agree with you Nikki. I guess the reading level of the general populace, particularly that of the children, has decreased quite a bit since Tolkien's time. I do hope that my daughter will be able to read it in the next few years though, or at least let me read it to her.

[Kandice]

I think the reading level has gone down according to age because of television, movies and electronics. Children used to have to read for entertainment. Alas, no longer.

[Lisa]

Agreed! It breaks my heart how truly removed from reading this generation has gotten.

[Jenny]

I guess that depends. Because kids are fed all kinds of stories through all kinds of media I think their understanding of characters and plotlines got better. Also, reading is the new cool (thank you insufferable hipsters) and it seems to be cooler now than when I went to middle school myself.

[Lisa]

Jenny wrote: "I guess that depends. Because kids are fed all kinds of stories through all kinds of media I think their understanding of characters and plotlines got better. Also, reading is the new cool (thank y..."

Yeah, that is true! I guess I didn't really think about that. Also, even though I'm 28, I've already become a bit of a grumpy old lady! XD And yes, while the hipsters are often the bane of my existence, they have brought some awesome stuff back into our culture.

[Kandice]

Lisa wrote: "And yes, while the hipsters are often the bane of my existence, they have brought some awesome stuff back into our culture. .."

Like vinyl!