Lord of the Readalong 2020 discussion

Alright! You did it. You dove into the Hobbit and you're on the way! Is this a reread for you or is it your first time? Do you have any expectations or predictions about your reading experience? Excited? Nervous? How did reading the first 4 chapters impact those feelings? What are your initial impressions of this book?

This is a reread for me. I hope I like it as much as I did the first time I read The Hobbit. I think the movie may change my experience of the book this time around,

This is my first time reading the hobbit. I am excited to read this because I love middle earth and have read LOTR so my expectations were high, which made me nervous that I was building it up too much. However, the first 4 chapters did not disappoint, I love Tolkien's writing style and how he describes hobbits, and Bilbo's house. The encounter with Elrond was short, but magical and comforting to me. I just love that while reading these first 4 chapters I already feel invested in the adventure and feel as though I am there. I am surprised that we are already starting to see differences in all the dwarves personalities. I could go on, in short I am throughly enjoying this so far.

I read this in 7th grade for English class. I remember feeling lost and uninterested in the story. I honestly do not remember anything about it from reading it at that time.
Reading it now is revealing why I probably had a hard time following the story. I, at that time, had never ready anything fantastical like this. The long descriptions probably hindered my understanding. Now, I enjoy all of the long descriptions that build the scene in my imagination.
I'm excited about going on this journey with all the characters. I'm so glad that I saw a read along for this series. I've had the books for years but felt like I just couldn't read them because of memories of 7th grade English class.

This is my first read of The Hobbit. I am venturing out of my comfort zone in my reading style. I have not seen the movies either. So far enjoying the reading, letting my imagination follow along. On to the next chapters.

Hello all. Excited to be reading The Hobbit with everyone. I had started The Hobbit years ago but put it down as life got in the way. Glad to be reading it now. I enjoyed the first 4 chapters, I just loved reading about The Hill. I have seen the movies, and just love the images of the Hill. Reading about it makes me want to be in a comfortable chair before the fire, in Bilbo's sitting room in his hobbit-hole with the kettle singing. I really understand how much Bilbo misses his home! I hope you all are enjoying your reading!

Hi all. I’m delighted to be doing this readalong with you all. I first read the books about 17 years ago now. I’m a huge fan of the movies and have been promising to do a re read for ages now. This is just the push I needed to get going. I raced through them first time around as I wanted to finish them before seeing the movies. First four chapters now done and I have to say I am savouring it more this time. Getting reacquainted with the characters is giving me all the feels. Going to rewatch the movies after each nook too. Looking forward to the next few months of reading and chats.

For me, this is a reread. I'm part way through chapter one right now, and so far, it feels like coming home.

The characterization is spot on. Bilbo is awkwardly lovable. You can tell he has an adventurous streak that he keeps hidden due to his surroundings. Tolkien's description of Thorin - "extremely important" and "haughty" - is so perfect. I was laughing through it! I'm pretty sure he's the first person we see brush Gandalf aside too. Also, Gandalf is such a troll. "It will be good for you, and most amusing for me." Wait, what?

Angie wrote: "This is a reread for me. I hope I like it as much as I did the first time I read The Hobbit. I think the movie may change my experience of the book this time around,"

I'm curious to see how the movie is going to change things.

This is my first time reading The Hobbit. I have enjoyed watching the movies many times. Enjoying the read so far!

Sarah, I read The Hobbit for the first time right before the movie was released and I remember being a little turned off by some of the changes. However, I wasn’t sure then (and I’m still not sure now) how the changes in the movie align with Tolkien canon as I’ve not read the appendices so I know very little about the history of Middle Earth.


Having just rewatched The Hobbit (trilogy) last month, and the events of the book not fresh in my mind anymore at that point, I found I was able to enjoy the movies a lot more.

This is the first time I’m reading The Hobbit and so far I’m really enjoying it! I’ve laughed out loud many times and I finally understand a few of the jokes my husband and oldest daughter have told through the years about certain characters! I’m really glad I’m participating in this read along!

First time reading these after having them in my bookcase for some time. Love the description of everything, also mine has some pictures in it.

Love the read so far!

This is a reread for me. I read it years ago in high school. I love how descriptive Tolkien's writing is. I could easily visualize what was taking place. I am definitely enjoying this experience so far.

I am listening to the audiobook and enjoying it. The narrator is Rob Inglis.

This is a "third attempt" read for me - try as I might I just have not been able to stick with this book. This time, however, I'm trying the audiobook and have found the narrator (Rob Inglis) really makes this book come alive for me!

This is a reread for me. It goes without saying that I love it ❤️
I read somewhere that the Hobbit was geared more towards children, so this time around I was paying attention to that, it really does read like a bedtime story. I can almost picture J.R.R Tolkien sitting by his child's bed, pipe in hand, telling of all the adventures of a quirky Hobbit a band of dwarves and an evil dragon. ❤️

I am absolutely loving this reread of The Hobbit. I forget how much the beginning makes me laugh. I am hoping that humor stays throughout the story. I honestly can't remember. I am also loving the descriptions, but love how they are simplified for children. I didn't think of them as too long or overly specific...just enough to set the scene.

Things are moving along pretty quickly too, which I like. We know they are doing a lot of walking and that can be slow, but already they've encountered trolls and now goblins. It keeps the walking from being boring.

I can totally relate to Bilbo. I love an adventure, but there are times in the midst of adventure when it would be nice to be back at home sitting in a "comfortable chair before the fire in his favourite sitting-room...and the kettle singing." (pg 44) Throw in a good book and that's about the best place for this introvert!

I look forward to moving forward at a nice slow pace with this read. Glad to hear you are all liking it so far!

This is my first time reading The Hobbit and my husband has been begging me to do! I have not seen the movie either. So far I am nervous because fantasy type books are not usually my thing but I figured since this readalong is happening why not?!?!?! I hope I love it as much as the rest of the world seems too! lol

This is the first time I’ve read the Hobbit and I’m really enjoying it so far. I’m anxious to see how the storyline plays out. Looking forward to all of Bilbos adventures.

My friends took 5 years to read this book so I was scared to read it because I hear the trilogy can be hard to read at times but this is great. I have the cloth bound edition and the begin tells us the story of how J.R.R Tolkien wrote this for his children so my fear of this being hard to read was unnecessary. Loving it so far.

Lorraine wrote: "I am listening to the audiobook and enjoying it. The narrator is Rob Inglis."

He's so good!

Krista wrote: "I am absolutely loving this reread of The Hobbit. I forget how much the beginning makes me laugh. I am hoping that humor stays throughout the story. I honestly can't remember. I am also loving the ..."

Bilbo Baggins is one of my favourite characters, so it's fun to go back to the beginning of his story, and watch him evolve. And I agree, this book is hilarious.

I've been taking notes as I read, but it's slowing down because it's getting out of hand. There's just too much.

1) I love how hobbit culture is in every word of the time in the Shire.
2) Gandalf talking about adventures as business transactions is weirdly funny, and him referring to it as good for Bilbo and amusing for him is hilarious.
3) The characterization! Bilbo is an adventure just waiting to happen, Gandalf is kind but a bit mischievous, and Thorin is exactly how Tolkien describes him - immensely important and haughty.

I agree. I don't have a problem reading the book. But, I am glad I saw the audiobook some time ago.

This is a re-read for me. I think this is my 3rd time to read it. I always love Tolkien more each time I read his works. I especially love all the songs he includes as part of the story.

So far my favorite part is the cave trolls getting turned into stone, and I always laugh when the troll’s pocket purse speaks up and gives Bilbo away as he tries to pick the pocket!

I am reading again. I first I found the books I my college bookstore. I love Tolkien's language and the imagination.

The is a reread for me and its about 20 years ago, so I dont remember so much. I had forgot how funny it was.
I have not seen the movies so I looking foward to do so.

This is the second time I'm reading this book but I cant say I remember much from when I read it the first time. I really enjoyed the beginning and how all the dwarves arrive att Bilbo's place. I find it a bit easier to read this time and I appreciate the humor more.

This is my first time reading Tolkien. I am so impressed! I am interested in the story and charmed by Tolkien's turn of phrase. I look forward to reading more.

This is a reread for me, but I don’t remember a lot of details because I have the worst memory ever, lol. A lot of people have said this, but what strikes me most is Tolkien’s humor in this book. It’s so well written with such descriptive language and rich vocabulary. It’s seriously a treat to be rereading this book!! I always feel like a kindred spirit with Bilbo every time he says,
“How I wish I were back in my Hobbit hole!” That’s me every time I leave my house for work, lol!!

Hi! I’m here and I’m reading! I’m a bit behind, but I finished chapter 4 last night. This is my first time reading it and I’m really enjoying it. I’m still trying to get used to the writing style. I’m loving the humor, I didn’t realize it would be funny. I LOVE Bilbo! I’m exciting to see him come into his own with his bravery. And the dwarves are cracking me up with their banter with Gandalf, who is becoming a favorite character very quickly.

I have seen the Hobbit movies, so I know the story, but this is just whisking me away. I’m excited to get to chapter 5...which involves riddles...which means Gollum...AND YES!

I have read this book many times as a child, but I'm pretty sure this is the first time this century so it has been quite a while. I did see the Hobbit movies but only likes them while the LotR movies are among my all-time favorites that I have seen many times.

I am really enjoying this read as it is bringing me back to my own childhood. Actually, I find myself picturing the scenes from the old 70's animated version rather than the newer movies as I read along.

Tolkien does a brilliant job of bringing together the depth of a world he spent decades creating with a simple child's story that anyone can enjoy.

Cynthia wrote: "This is my first time reading The Hobbit. I have enjoyed watching the movies many times. Enjoying the read so far!"

Same here. First time reading, but I've seen the movies. I've read up to chapter 3 and so far so good. :)

Elsa wrote: "This is my first time reading Tolkien. I am so impressed! I am interested in the story and charmed by Tolkien's turn of phrase. I look forward to reading more."

Me too! I am loving the humor and the writing style of The Hobbit. :D

Hi, this is my first time reading through THE HOBBIT and I am finding it a very pleasant experience, enjoying it much more than I thought I would. I don't usually gravitate toward books in the fantasy or sci-fi genre, but recently have read a few such books that I really enjoyed. This of course is no exception. I am finding the characters lovely, the writing style easy to engage with, and perhaps most surprising of all, I am enjoying immersing myself in the magical world of the book. I think this will go faster than I expected now that I'm about 1/4 of the way through.

This is a reread for me—I first read all 4 books of the Middle Earth series in 2012.

I’m really enjoying my read so far, though I keep picturing the movie actors as the characters. I wish this was more like Harry Potter, where I read the several of the books long before I saw the first movie so my experience of the characters was my own unique mental picture.

I will say when they talked about the noon tunes and the secret message on the map was revealed, I was like “oh how convenient that it just HAPPENED to be the right day tomorrow see the message.” But otherwise, the world-building is completely engrossing.

I loved the start where Tolkien is addressing the reader about the story. This is a reread for me, and I'm really enjoing this! It's been a while since I've watched the movies but I am already excited to see them again. Bilbo is such a funny character and Gandalf is actually really dominating! I am really happy to be reading this and will go on right away into chapter 5!

Victoria wrote: "This is a reread for me, but I don’t remember a lot of details because I have the worst memory ever, lol. A lot of people have said this, but what strikes me most is Tolkien’s humor in this book. I..."

Bilbo is such a relatable character.

Emily wrote: "This is a reread for me—I first read all 4 books of the Middle Earth series in 2012.

I’m really enjoying my read so far, though I keep picturing the movie actors as the characters. I wish this was..."

I adore the idea of the moon letters, but I have to agree that it's a bit ... convenient. It also makes me wonder if the map actually has more moon letters that only show themselves on different days.