Goliverse discussion

So is Gandalf supposed to be Merlin? Would explain why both of them leave for periods of time.

ok so how heavy into middle-earth lore are we going? On the surface the hobbit can seem a childrens book but there is alot going on in the background. There is also a huge amount of history, Tolkien literaly created his world years before he wrote any story to go along with it.

hmm maybe we should do two folders one for people just grazing the surface and one for heavy duty fans wanting to go in deep

Few questions real quick

1. How many have read the hobbit before
2. Are you reading or listening
3. How many of you plan to revisit movies after this or continue to lord of the rings series

I read the Hobbit after I read the Lord of the Rings. I have to admit I didn't enjoy it as much as LOTR. That's not to say I didn't like it. Just not as much as LOTR.

I will be doing the audiobook this time around. My library has several versions on audiobook.

I will definitely revisit the movies. Most of them have been excellent.

Question: are we going to set a schedule for reading? For example: read Chapter 1 by ( insert date).

I have read The Hobbit twice previously, once in 8th grade and once last year. I will give it another go since my 8yo wants me to read it to him. That will also slow me down so I don't read it in two days.

Oh, and I just re-read LOTR so I won't need to re-read that. BUT, I haven't seen any Hobbit movies yet so I can get to that. I love Graham McTavish and he plays a dwarf in The Hobbit movies.

1- I have read it but it was years ago
2- Im listening to the audiobook version
3- I plan on watching the films in order

I also just started a Walking program based on the Journey in LOTR. The Challenge states that it is 1,780 miles from Bag End to Mount Doom. You track your steps per day and it tells you where you would be in the journey.

1. never read before
2. read e-book
3. no plan to see the movies

Have read the hobbit multiple times along with lotr and the simarillion, and the many other short stories and histories. Seen all the hobbit and lotr movies. Big tolkien fan. Will be doing the audiobook. Would love to continue into lotr, the discussion would get much deeper.

I've read both the Hobbit and LOTR several times, but not recently.
I have both the book and the audiobook, but I'll probably be doing the audiobook, since I don't have as much free time to read.
I own the movies (all except the newest Hobbit), so I would be open to going on through the movies with everyone if there is interest in doing that. I am willing to continue through the Lord of the Rings books too.

1. Read it when I was a kid.
2. I will be reading the actually book.
3. I've never watched The Hobbit so I will be watching for the first time after I'm done with the book. And if I have time I might revisit the other books.

Justin, tell me more about this walking program. is it an app, or an online tracker, or something else?

I have read the Hobbit, once years ago. I listened the second time around, which was, oh, a few years ago. I haven't decided weather to listen or to read this time.
I'm two movies behind on the Hobbit, but I will get there eventually. And then I'll watch LOTR again. Because I can.
I haven't read the short/lost stories. I have read the Simmarillion and LOTR and so dig this world!

Justin, Yes, tell us more about this walking program. I'm afraid I wouldn't have even left the shire at the rate I'm going!

I read The Hobbit years and years ago. Then I read LOTR a few years later before the movies came out. I read part of The Hobbit again with my son several years ago, but he was too young, and we didn't finish. We tried again recently along with my daughter and finished it. My son then went through the LOTR books on his own.

Matt wrote: "Justin, tell me more about this walking program. is it an app, or an online tracker, or something else?"

Its actually a spreadsheet that i found here http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/...

The Challenge states that someone figured out that a one way trip from the shire to Mount Doom is approx 1,780 miles. You walk as much as you can each day then put your info into this spreadsheet ad it tells you where you would be in your journey ( Rivendell is 438 miles in, for example) I sent an Email to GOL regarding it so hopefully he will read it tonight

I've read the entire series several times and will probably have a marathon of the movies once the book is done.

My dad read this book to me when I was little, and I have read it a few other times over the years.

This time I am reading it, but I have listened to the audio book multiple times. Rob Inglis does the audiobook and he is probably one of my favorite readers. He does the The Lord of the Rings books as well and does a different voice for all of the characters.

I have seen all of the movies at least twice and will be doing a marathon once the last film is released on dvd. I'll be probably moving on to listening to The Lord of the Rings books or I will read them depending on what books are on my list. I am a huge Tolkien fan and I love how much detail is in the books.

So does anyone want to start the walking challenge on the 1st?

If I wore a step counter at work I might be able to make it there

The Jawbone Up is $50 on Groupon if you're interested.

that would be awesome if you did the walking challenge too. Im about 40 miles in right now , been kicking ass since I got a fitbit

Starting it tomorrow!

I wasnt in the chat during Geek out Loud but did steve read my letter and talk about the challenge?

not sure i missed gol in the marathon.

I started the walking challenge the other day. I'm at 7 miles. got to Tookland yesterday.

I'm still in my hobbit hole, dreaming of adventure. You guys rock!

for those doing the walking challenge, I created a separate thread for it under Off Topic. that way this thread can be about the actual book.

Great job. Keep it up ! Matt wrote: "I started the walking challenge the other day. I'm at 7 miles. got to Tookland yesterday."

Neat video explaining The One Ring: http://www.blastr.com/2015-2-11/video...