I've finished
The Hobbit, and oh, it was so good!
I can easily understand why it's such a beloved story. Bilbo has handily won a seat at my "all-time favorite characters in literature" table.
(I cheered when
Gandalf revealed himself and applauded Bilbo after he met with the Elvenking and Bard!) Ahh, it's a very satisfying story.
I also loved the style of writing; Tolkien had a wonderful way with words. I suppose one should expect that from a philologist, but his work makes for very pleasant reading.
In terms of overall storytelling, Lewis still comes out on top for me (at least for now), but there was more than enough story-weaving magic to go around in that Inklings club, to be sure.
I may very well give
The Silmarillion a go after finishing LotR,
Jo! I've heard good things about it, even though it's also said to be a more difficult read. I tend to be kind of adventurous with my reading anyway.
Oh! You guys might like this. I ran across a piece of digital artwork the other day titled
Blooming Flames by an artist called Fractist, and for all the world it makes me think of Gandalf's floral fireworks lighting up the sky over Hobbiton! I made it my laptop wallpaper and it's quite dazzling when the screen's lit up in a dark room.
Lastly, does anyone know anything about
Hobbit-inspired cookbooks? I keep wondering what those seed-cakes look and taste like.