Lord of the Readalong 2020 discussion

Here we go with our next read! This one has Book 3 and Book 4 of the Lord of the Rings saga. I think this is the one I (Krista) am most nervous about, but still excited to get going.

What are your initial impressions of this one?
How does it compare so far to FOTR?
What do you think of Frodo and Sam?
Has the pacing and story worked for you so far in this one?

I started the book yesterday (Easter Eve) and flew through the first five chapters! I was quickly dragged into the books, and it was really exciting to read about Merry and Pippin, and Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. So far I liked the pacing, I think it's a bit faster than FOTR so far. I enjoyed reading about Treebeard as well. I'm really looking forward to continuing the book. So far there hasn't been much Frodo and Sam.

Just finished chapter 5! It’s been interesting seeing the group separated and how things are going. I liked the Orcs, they’re so brutal. Enjoying it so far, but I’m missing Sam.

I'm listening to The Two Towers on a You Tube audiobook. The story is quite interesting with the different voices and background sounds. I'm not a fast reader, so audiobook helps.

I am really enjoying this one, which is a bit of a surprise. For some reason this middle book was the most intimidating in my mind. I think I've heard a few people say it is the slowest. So far, that's not my experience.

I'm loving Treebeard and the whole scene with the Ents. Love how they're on the march now.

Yay for the return of Gandalf!

I do wonder what's up with Frodo and Sam, but I know we will get to them eventually...hopefully!

This is fun. It is a great start to the book, and I love the chapter with Treebeard! I was looking forward to this, since I remember this chapter from the first time I read this trilogy. I had completely forgotten about Quickbeam. I find the Ents such funny characters. Just looking forward to reading more of this. And seeing the friendship of Gimli and Legolas developing, since they are such an odd but well suited pair.

These books have always been about the adventure and the interesting characters along the journey more then the conflicts and wars that happen with the orcs etc. at least for me. I never felt the movies, although I enjoyed them, did all the characters and creatures on the journey justice, especially since it completely left out Tom Bombadil.

The movies emphasized the conflicts. Having said all that, I'm completely enjoying this book and can't wait to get to Sam and Frodo.

I’m reading this book much faster than FotR. Merry and Pippin’s adventure really captured my imagination. The Ents and Treebeard also. Tolkien’s writing is just amazing, all the names he had to make up is just mind boggling