This morning I sent my three year old off to nursery, clutching his favourite book to share with the rest of his class. ‘Super Worm’, was the title of that much loved book and just as he will relish in sharing and listening to one of his favourite tales, he will also enjoy the many other, wonderful books that are shared with him by his friends and teachers.
Given that today is World Book Day, I also want to share the beauty that is the written word with you. We all have a battered, dog-eared book somewhere in our lives, that has been repeatedly thumbed through in the name of escapism – a tome that has touched, helped or inspired us in some way or another, and one which we can’t bring ourselves to part with. If you’re like me, then you probably have many books of this kind, sat patiently on dusty bookshelves, in a pile beside your bed, in your bag or on a table, waiting to be re-read for the umpteenth time. They’re like old friends that offer some comfort, when life becomes too much.
Care to meet my old friends?
Three old friends to be exact!
The Lord of The Rings trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
You’re probably quite familiar with them and if you haven’t read the books, then maybe you’ve watched the films, or even played the games (being the nerd I am I’ve done all three and then some!). Whether you have or haven’t, I’d like to introduce you to three of the best books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. Yes it is an epic fantasy adventure. Yes, it has Elves, Orcs, Dwarfs and Goblins, and many other fantasy creatures and yes, it has created a dedicated following of Middle Earth fanatics, who go so far as to learn Elvish and learn every aspect of Tolkien’s lore, but they are also so much more than that.
Reading this trilogy, is like jumping inside the very pages of the book, hitching a ride on a Rohirrim War-steed and journeying alongside the fellowship, as they adventure across the vast landscapes of Middle Earth. You feel the joys and woes of each character in acute detail and can’t help but choose sides, in their battle against the great evil that threatens their very existence. You laugh with them, cry with them and ride the adrenalin-filled wave of war with them and when the tale is over, the story lives on in your imagination, never quite leaving it and having no small effect on you.
No book I have read since, has ever quite lived up to Tolkien’s masterpiece. Even after reading George R.R. Martin’s, ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series, I still didn’t have the same lasting sense of inspiration that ‘The Lord of The Rings’ left behind and I guess that just illustrates why Tolkien’s works have stood the test of time, and will continue to inspire generations of bookworms to come.
I have many more books by Tolkien on my shelves, but these three were the very first ones that I read and so they will always have a place in my book-filled life. What books inspire you to re-read them over and over again? Let me know by leaving your comments and perhaps you can introduce me to some more great literature.
Never heard of it! Is it any good?
The only books, apart from these!, that I can remember re-reading are Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune’ & ‘The Hobbit’.
I don’t read as much as I should, & as much as I used to.
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Believe it or not, I only read The Hobbit, a few years ago for the first time. My OH is currently reading Dune but it’s slow going as every time he sits down to read, he’s disturbed by something. Same with me, I keep meaning to read more – there’s loads that I want to read, but what with juggling children, housework and the rest that goes with it, it’s hard to find the time.
Lilandrael recently posted…The Lord of The Rings | Appreciating A Legend
Aah Tolkien, he sure did create something special. The Hobbit was the first I read and indeed possibly the first book I re-read thanks to bedtime stories.
I recently lived through Harry Potter again while working thanks to the wonderful audio books read by Mr Fry, he does a fantastic job. I’ve never really been sold on audio books until I heard the first chapter of Philosophers Stone and thought – yes, this is right. Other audio books have been lacking somehow but these are spot on.
I still can’t bring myself to part with Roald Dahl’s books, or the Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton, they might have to stay.
I must say there will come a time when I have to dust off the Harry Potter books, and introduce them to my little tribe. I’m intrigued by the audio books. Stephen Fry is a legend – he does the voice over for the butler in the Fable III game. I almost squealed with delight when I heard his voice!
Believe it or not I don’t own any Roald Dahl books! That will have to change!
Lilandrael recently posted…The Lord of The Rings | Appreciating A Legend
I would recommend them for the tribe.
A good dose of Dr Seuss would probably go down well too.
A have a very dog eared set of the The Belgariad and Mallorean sagas by David Eddings which I read through over and over again!
My children grew up with Harry Potter and listened to the audio versions at bed time every night. To this day Bernard starts yawning as soon as she hears Stephen Fry talking and often says when she reads them for herself she can hear his voice in her head.
I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t read anything by David Eddings, however if you’ve read them over and over again, then I’m sure they must be worth reading. I shall add them to my reading list!
Lilandrael recently posted…The Lord of The Rings | Appreciating A Legend
I must firstly say I am LOVING your webspace makeover! Looks fab. Annoyingly I have been thinking of overhauling mine to something similar to this! Tsk.
Anyway, I have to say I have not read the lord of the rings trilogy which is shameful!! But i have seen the films, which I absolutely loved. I remember as a kid listening to The Hobbit on the radio as a family, most likely on Sundays. I don’t have any books that I have re read. Though if I were to re read one it would be Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood because I know it was an amazingly good read x
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Overhaul away my dear! I’ve found that this theme is quite popular because it looks so good – quite a few bloggers I follow use it, why not a couple more?
Ooh Margaret Atwood is an author I’d like to read more of. I LOVED ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by her – literally couldn’t put it down, although I haven’t heard of ‘Alias Grace’. I must add this one to my reading list too!
Lilandrael recently posted…The Lord of The Rings | Appreciating A Legend