So You Wanna Read the Lord of the Rings...

If you've been trying to read LotR, but you're struggling to make it through, this is the video for you! I share my top tips for knocking LotR off your TBR list, and talk about why it can be so hard to read (even if you already love the story). Don't forget to like, subscribe and share!
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[@DarkerRunesASMR]

I read the trilogy for the first time when I was about 10 years old, when my father had just died. The story of Gandalf touched me very much. It's hard to put it into words more precisely than this.

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I think LotR can have an incredibly healing effect. It's themes, it's euchatastrophic ending... Thank you so much for sharing!

[@paulbrickler]

I think I was 11 or so, my 6th-grade English teacher, Mr. Rivers, gave me a set of all 3 books after we were doing the Hobbit as a reading assignment, and instead of reading a chapter a week, I finished the book in week one. I still have his old worn out paperback copies on my shelf. I read them over and over. I used to get to the part where Gandalf falls, stop reading Fellowship, and jump ahead to the part in Two Towers where he makes his big comeback reveal, just to reassure myself.

[@babbisp1]

​@@Jess_of_the_Shire *Its *its

[@007EnglishAcademy]

It is not a trilogy

[@donaldbraugh2314]

Publishers made it a trilogy so it is one in a sense​@@007EnglishAcademy

[@j.s.c.4355]

when I first read the Lord of the rings, I was around 10 or 11 years old and I easily read through 2 1/2 books. I got lost someplace in the middle of return of the king but then I saw the Rankin and bass 1978 animated feature and I think I must’ve considered myself done. I forgot for decades that I had not read the second half of RotK.

[@cheryll3448]

Great video! Interesting to me that every one of these tips (with the possible exception of listening to music), can be applied to readers who are new to Dickens! And once you get into Dickens, here again, you just get swept up in story and language and a whole fictional (tho not fantastical) world you want to jump into and live in. And perhaps finding just the right music with a Victorian feel would enhance that experience 😉 I’d like to try LOTR and I enjoyed this helpful vid 👍

[@johnweigel9761]

Oops, second post. I read the book aloud to a friend in 1996, making up different voices for the characters (orc voices are really hard on a human throat) and trying to sing the songs, and she loved every minute of it.

[@orthicon9]

I first read The Hobbit and LotR while I was in high school, during the late '60s, possibly the perfect time to first read it. I've read it at least 5 more times since then. Now I'm listening to Andy Serkis' reading (from Audible), which is indeed excellent. Well, except maybe for his voicing of Tom Bombadil, which sounds a bit like an older Emo Philips. Fortunately, those few chapters go by fairly quickly. As it happens, about ten years ago I suddenly stopped reading long-form text (right in the middle of Stephen King's "Under the Dome", as it happens), and for two or three years I just could not get myself to sit down and read for any length of time. I ended up listening to a lot of podcast novels and short stories. Eventually though, I discovered the joys of reading with an e-reader (first a Kobo Glo, then a Kobo Aura when the USB port on the original one broke). Hundreds of books and only books, unlike a tablet, phone or laptop, which has other apps to distract you. Pocket-sized, and the edge-lit e-ink display lasts for days on a charge, and can be read in bright direct sunlight or pitch dark. If you fall asleep reading you don't lose your place. And of course there's the ability to "dog-ear" pages, highlight passages, and make searchable annotations all over the place. This got me back into the habit of reading long-form text again. Another good general reference site is "The Encyclopedia of Arda", at www.glyphweb.com/arda/ . Also you can get it as an iOS app (not for Android though).

[@petejamie2499]

I’ve got ADHD and always struggle to sit down and focus on reading. However, I love the world of The LoTR and have been desperate to read them, so I’ve recently started allocating an hour at a cafe where I put on ambient LoTR music (when the music sometimes matches up to what I’m reading it gives me chills) and read it with my headphones in. I’m getting through The Fellowship of The Ring! Thank you for this video!

[@YogitheYogaBear]

Love reading at cafes, cuts down on the distractions that can be at home. 🙂

[@ryanmaass5360]

Soundscapes and ambient music are a real game changer. I highly recommend Dungeon Synth artists like Fogweaver or Tales Under the Oak, because they set the fantasy mood aren't nearly as intrusive as movie soundtracks tend to be. Many of those artists shamelessly take inspiration from Tolkien in general, which is a nice bonus.

[@jayvansickle7607]

I always tell people, that if they have trouble getting motivated to read a book….to read a book that a movie they have seen is based on . Like this one. So, you don’t have pressure to catch everything, since you “know” everyone, for the most part. And…for LOTR… I think reading the individual books would help, so you have a sense of accomplishment at the end of each segment.

[@feedmewifi_477]

in stephen king’s dark tower series, there’s a main character whose favorite pastime is doing heroin and listening to the LoTR audiobooks on tape. that can be tip #10

[@rbweston]

As a dyslexic person, the first time i read LotR it took me nine months, but i perservered and my mentor was so happy with me. When i got to the end I immediately went back to chapter one and read it a second time (took me 7 months), after 30 years and now on my 11th reading I still love this story more than anything. Plus I grew up only a few miles from where Tolkien lived as a boy so places like Sarehole Mill and the infamous Two towers were part of my childhood to. Love your channel BTW.

[@LdsQueenie26]

I have extremely bad mental illness that prevents me from living a normal life. I often feel very alone. I watched lotr when I was three and was absolutely obsessed but it faded and I only watched it a few times after that but my boyfriend got me to watch them again and I'm hooked. I found that desire once more. Lotr has really been the thing that has kept me going these last few difficult months. I've fallen so hard for many of the characters who have literally changed my life and saved me more than therapy ever could. I will always have a special place in my heart for LOTR because it literally saved my life

[@markreynaers887]

don't give up!

[@jimmyboy131]

I read the Hobbit when I was...hmm, I'm gonna say around 12 or so, because many of my friends had read it and they loved it. I ate it up, and loved it too. Then I read about halfway through Fellowship of the Ring, got bogged down, got distracted, and forgot about it. Then after college I had time to actually relax and read WHATEVER I WANTED, not whatever I was required to read. And it was wonderful. So I started reading LOTR and could not out it down. When I wasn't working I was camped on the couch until very latest night for several days. I'm a slow reader so it took me a little while but I didn't really take any breaks until it was was completed. Then shortly after that I heard they were making them into movies and I was like, yeah no. You can't do justice to these books with movies!" OK I was wrong. Jackson's LOTR trilogy is amazing! Thile Hobbit movies, not so much. But they proved that love, dedication, and talent could bring those books to life!

[@mandykelly5004]

This is a PHENOMENAL video. I'm a homeschool mom and I'm introducing my two teenage girls to LOTR this upcoming school year. This video is going to be the first thing I show them before we dive into reading. I'm already incorporating many of these tips in preparation for our dive into Tolkien (we're each going to have our own copy in hand while listening to the audio book at the same time, and then chat about that day's selection with the help of some guides), but you have such an incredible way of presenting it...honest, vulnerable, unpretentious, and filled with such an obvious love for these works.... Hearing these things from YOU on day one of the school year is going to be so much better than hearing these things from lame old Mom!! Thanks for the great content!!! (And for helping me plan my curriculum 😂)

[@1331423]

Tried to read it as a teenager and it was such an effort. Just finished reading it now at 30 and it was such an incredible experience, I think I must have been reading a Chinese bootleg version back then or something.

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I think it really just depends on where your mind is at, tbh. Sometimes I adore reading, and sometimes I just can't get myself to do it no matter what, haha! I'm glad you were able to enjoy it so Much eventually! Thanks for watching and commenting

[@OneTrueNobody]

I also had some difficulties getting through the book when I first picked it up as a high schooler way back when the movies were coming out. I managed to get through it, but it *was* an effort. Helps that I had already read and really enjoyed The Hobbit, of course, but The Lord of the Rings is just so different in style from the things I have read most often, then and now.

[@obxwave]

All of this is so strange to me…I was first introduced to Lord of the Rings as a 3rd grader, in the 1970s…I absolutely devoured it, and I am baffled that anyone would have any other reaction to the book. But I’m glad you are doing what you can to encourage new readers.

[@JLam_990]

My goal was one book a month! I started at the beginning of January 2024 and it’s now March 2024 and I am on chapter IV of ROTK!!

[@jamesorr2139]

I know this is a LotR channel and thus content is, of course, geared in that direction, but this video should be called "how to read harder/longer books" in general, as these are awesome tips just for reading in general. In my capacity as a tutor and a teaching assistant for English/history uni courses, this is all usually the stuff I tell my students who are struggling to get their reading done, and honestly, I think I might just start suggesting this video to my students because it's both entertaining, concise and very informative.

[@mandykelly5004]

Agree. This is a masterclass for a lost art.

[@monkeymox2544]

It's an unfortunate sign of the times that someone needs to make a video (albeit an excellent one) about how to read a book like lotr. Not because people today are stupid, but because our attention spans have become so low, and people have been weened on fast-paced plots. I see so many people saying that they struggle with lotr because it has a slow pace, as if that's an inherently bad thing. If anything, fast pacing is often a sign of an author / script writer who has very little skill, so they need to fill every moment with things to distract the audience from how bad their writing is.

[@donaldscholand4617]

Entering middle school, I was the proverbial 98 pound weakling. Shy, awkward, timid, and a frequent target of school bullies. Then I found The Hobbit in the school library. My older sister got me The Lord of the Rings in paperback. I read and re-read all of them over and over again for the next 2 years. Thanks to their inspiration (and growing 4 inches and gaining 30 pounds of lean muscle), my problem with bullies magically disappeared! I've read them over a dozen times since then and will probably read them again in a year or two. For me, their charm never grows old.

[@annikavestergaard9810]

Thank you so much for making this video. I just recently became a fan of lotr and I've watched a handful of your other vids. You seem like a very passionate and well-informed fan, but when you put into words how even you've struggled with getting through the triology, it makes me feel like I can do it too. We had the hobbit at home (in danish) with illustrations by Alan Lee and I picked it up a couple of weeks ago and I look forward to, hopefully, reading the triology. I hope that your tips alongside Alan Lee's incredible illustrations can help me get through the books. I'm 19 and from Denmark so there will probably be a lot of words i won't understand in the english versions but your wonderful videos have sparked a passion in me too.

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I really appreciate this comment! You're so sweet, and I hope that reading the hobbit goes well for you. The Alan Lee illustrations are beautiful. Make sure to be patient with yourself, and take the time to look up words if you think it would help! Good luck, friend!

[@N7_Jedi]

I read LoTR for the first time almost 20 years ago and I've read them all countless times since! Tom always puts a smile on my face

[@gracemember101]

I started my LOTR journey when the Rankin Bass version of The Hobbit came out in 1977 and was mid way through college. I even bought the story record set. That got me started with LOTR. Then after getting married and kids came along, I read the books to them as bedtime stories. To this day we are all serious LOTR fans. Thank you for your videos.

[@piatc4813]

I remember reading the hobbit on one weekend when I was eleven. So naturally I wanted to read LOTR right after, got it for my twelfth birthday - and resigned just after starting. It took some years until I picked it up again and right now I'm fully enjoying reading the books.

[@johnnypetro9314]

I understand the audio book narrations by either Andy Serkis or Rob Inglis are absolutely devine. I'm listening to the Inglis narration now and absolutely love it.

[@Proclifo]

For me it's the Phil Dragash version

[@mariposahorribilis]

I first borrowed the three volume LoTR from the school library when I was eleven. But I really date my fandom to the following Christmas, when I received my very own copy of the iconic yellow paperback version. I was an avid reader back then: there were less distractions (it was 1966) plus we were staying with my grandparents in the country away from friends and city life. I devoured it in three days! I've re-read it many times since then, and still enjoy it in book, audio (especially Brian Sibley's adaptation for radio) or movie form pretty much annually. Some advice I'd offer to new readers - if you get bogged down, don't be afraid to skip to the end of the chapter. You can always go back if you find you've missed an essential point. And if it's not your reading style, don't stop to notice things like who Elrond's father was. You're reading for pleasure, not preparing for an exam! And newly spotted details add to the joy of re-reading. Read it because you want to, not because you 'should.' And read it *how* you want to, not how you think you 'ought.'

[@Gnardonic_2]

Reading out loud def helps, as well as acting out each character with different voices. Another key is making note files where you build a database of all unknowm words of your own vocab and add definitions. As it gets bigger, refresh by reading them all.

[@excentricAnthropologist]

I hadn't read the books (except the Hobbit) or watched the movies until 2018, where people on Tumblr were talking about Sauron as he was in the Silmarillion. Having only known Sauron as an eye through cultural osmosis, I was really intrigued and looked into the lore. I was blown away by the worldbuilding, especially the Ainur (I'm a big mythology nerd). I started reading the Silmarillion and watched the LOTR movies and fell in love! I have yet to read the LOTR books, but that hasn't stopped me from being the "Tolkien friend" in my friend group. 😊

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I'm so glad you were able to fall in love with Middle Earth! I love when fandom is able to draw people in, rather than scaring them off

[@margarethorrall8621]

Oh, I envy you! I read Silmarillion after LotR and I have wished I could have reversed the order retroactively. There are so many references to the earlier history in LotR and it was maddening that the details were so vague.

[@excentricAnthropologist]

​@@margarethorrall8621 I'm listening to the audiobooks now and I hearing the characters talk about events from The Silmarillion!! Though I also think there's a certain mystique in not knowing the lore and only witnessing it in passing references, like there's so much history just beneath the surface... I think it just depends on the kind of reader you are. 😉

[@Blackadder75]

@@margarethorrall8621 well LOTR was written for an audience that didn;t know anything from the Ainur and the First Ages, as the silmarillion and other mythical works about middle earth were never published during Tolkien's life (although he had written many of it long before So your experience was actually 'normal'

[@greenflagracing7067]

I was a freshman in college, laid up in bed for a few days after minor surgery. Someone left a stack of books by my bed and the first one I touched was Return of the King (the Ace version). Magic. Enchanting. Reminded me of Dylan's Mr Tambourine Man. I read the trilogy every other year or so, always using beat up dog eared paperbacks. The events at Wood Hall are poetry in prose, and that fox who never found out about the great events ... .

[@mjdaniel8710]

I first read the books in junior high back around 1975 and I still do every few years, and the Hobbit and the Silmarillion

[@charlesstanford1310]

I spent my adolescence and early adulthood with very fuzzy memories of The Lord of the Rings, while my older brothers and sisters read it regularly and talked about it. I had heard it from my mother as a boy but forgotten most of it, so while I still read The Hobbit, I felt ashamed of my ignorance of The Lord of the Rings and tried to cover it up, sometimes by faking that I remembered more, sometimes by saying I liked The Hobbit better anyway since I found it more accessible. I wish I had thought to ask someone to read LotR out loud to me again even though I was "too old for it" by then. This was in the 1990s. It was the release of the movies that finally got me reading through the books all the way, and that really broke the ice, so to speak. Reading it again is now going back to something familiar instead of tackling something daunting for the first time. I still felt a sense of responsibility to read through the Appendices and the Silmarillion, so I finished those this summer. And I still feel a sense of responsibility to read more. But it's good to be able to have more obscure points of lore explained in the meantime. I think that's a crucial part of being a fan: the humility and curiosity to learn more of the source, even if it's a slower process for you than for others.

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

You said it better than I was able to! The desire to learn more is definitely such an important part of loving a work of art. And I love your point about how the movies made it feel easier to go back and read the books. I think that's an oft forgotten benefit of the Adaptation: making the source material seem more accessible. Thanks so much for sharing and for watching!

[@conraddickinson24]

I read the books in 1976 and I really didn't have a problem getting through them at all. I guess a lot of folks these days just aren't used to reading large novels. Anyone who has trouble getting through the Lord of the rings should definitely stay away from George RR Martin's a Song of Ice and Fire. LOL

[@allhopeisgone0826]

I work at a comic shop and comics are basically what I read. The Lord Of The Rings Magic set release this week at our store. Sorting through all the cards has made me wanna try finally reading the books. I’m gonna start with The Hobbit and give it a shot this week. This video helped motivate me to read them.

[@kadegetslaid634]

You have my dream job fr 😭🙏

[@intogrey2038]

How did the book journey go?

[@hedinsee6830]

A very good video. However, I am always horrified that in the 21st century people need directions on how to...*read*.

[@martinstent5339]

This was really the wrong video for me. I first read LOTR in 1971, and I read all day and night till I finished it. I couldn't stop. And since then I have read it over 70 times. So I really need a guide on how to stop reading LOTR!!

[@pablo518]

I couldn’t read LOTR trilogy, the pace seemed slow for me, so I decided to start with the hobbit and I’ve just finished it, maybe I will give another try to the trilogy

[@johns1625]

Phil Dragash made a dramatized audiobook version with voice acting and music from the movies. I've listened to it probably a dozen times in the last year, it's so great. Very epic with the music added and easier to pay attention!

[@orbitsurvey9612]

Agree 100%

[@Dressmealltheway]

Absolutely love, the sound mixing is tough to hear sometimes but whenever I lose track of where we are the music clues me in because they did such a good job of giving important characters/places/objects their own music motifs.

[@markwarner5554]

i was a sci-fi nerd growing up, and had a disdain for fantasy as being childish. So I didn't read The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings until much later. I saw the movies, and loved them. I still watch them, all 6 of them, frequently. I even have the animated ones on DVD. Anyway, I plowed through the Rob Inglis audiobooks a few years after Jackson's RotK came out, including the Hobbit, and loved them. I now have audiobook and hard-back printed copies of all of them, including The Silmarillion, The Fall of Gondolin, The Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthier, aaaand the big red and white single-volume LotR in your background. I recently grabbed the Andy Serkis narrated audiobooks from Audible, and they are so good. I still haven't read all the printed ones, but I'm working on it. I watch them with my oldest daughter, and she loves them too. We cook a version of Beorning honey cakes and everything. Anyway...I like your content. Thanks.

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

Well I'm glad you decided to give LotR a chance, even if it is fantasy! And sharing these stories with family is one of my favorite ways to enjoy them. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@bsa45acp]

The exquisite beauty of LOTR is not just in the world building but in its prose. Tolkien's writing style changes as you proceed through the books to the point where the prose itself paints such a lovely and magical world. Interestingly the LOTR movie uses two of my favorite three passages though spoken by different characters at different times. Thus the magic of the film is that it often uses exact dialogue from the book. I have seen many of the locations in NZ used in the film and when I yet again re-read LOTR in my mind I 'remember' being back in Middle Earth. It is ultimately a sad novel because the magic of Middle Earth comes to an end, yet by going back and re-reading LOTR, you can yet again return to that special place. Next December I will read it again for the 23rd time...

[@ColoradoStreaming]

The random poems and songs are great too.

[@BecauseOfDragons]

I listened to the BBC version of LotR endlessly as a kid and I read The Hobbit but could never really tackle The Lord Of The Rings. However, I powered through it at university because it was a break from my academic texts and whilst it was good to have read it - it wasn't a pleasant experience almost forcing myself to do so. I then recently came back and re-read The Lord Of The Rings alongside the narrated version by Andy Serkis you mentioned and wow, it changed it. Having someone read it and following along was SO much better and helped me get through it a lot easier. I think your tips on having the audiobook to help out and reading along folks are spot on. I think there's also something to be said for a parent to read it to their children in installments as if it's a bit of a radio play in of itself - maybe it'll keep some little ones hooked for bed time! I also recently (finally) got through The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales which really are like text books - audiobooks properly helped there as well and I don't reckon I would have had a shot at them unless I'd had access to Martin Shaw's reading of it. The Timothy and Samuel West versions of Unfinished Tales are also spot on. Will certainly point people towards this if they're ever hesitant about reading the books!

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I swear there's some kind of magic that happens when a story gets read out loud. I'm glad that it was able to help you find more joy in the books! I'll have to check out that version of the Unfinished Tales, I haven't tried those in audiobook form yet. Thanks for the comment, and the potential shares :)

[@kpendragon]

When I was around 10-13 years i read a lot of sci-fi and fantasy novels and sagas, and I always wanted to get into lotr, but I never got the books and as time passed I literally lost the ability to read anything. A few years later I'm starting to read again thanks to my english class at college and I chose to start with the hobbit, i'm kinda scared because english is not my native language (spanish), but i'm really excited to feel the magic of reading.

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I hope the reading goes well for you! Middle Earth is a difficult world to enter sometimes, but it is so worthwhile!

[@ThibaultDelattre]

It was late 1999, and I don't exactly recall the circumstances (I had probably said something incredibly irritating, like pretentious 14 year old me would often do...), but my English teacher challenged me to read the Fellowship of the Ring in English before the school year was over, which was not a small task for a french kid who's primarily studied German. My mom accepted to buy the book, and promised me to buy the 2 others if I liked it. I vividly remember the trip to a library dedicated to English literature, in Lille. I really struggled with the beginning. The Prologue and three first chapters are full of notes and translations. My mom, who had studied English at University, helped me with idiomatic expressions, and guided me through using her study books in case she wasn't around. As I was progressing through the book, I needed less and less notes. And by the end of book one, I only occasionally needed a dictionary. It took several months, but I finished in time, and what started as a challenge became a pure pleasure. I cherish this book like none other, and hopefully will pass it down to my daughter. Every December for the last 23 years, I read the Lord of the Rings once more, followed by the Silmarillion in January. I have the Tree of Gondor tatooed on my left forearm, as Aragorn and Faramir had a great impact on who I wanted to become as a grown man. I am going to respectfully disagree on the idea that you are a "real fan of the Lord of the Rings" (whatever that means) if you haven't read the books, at least as an adult. My logic is simple: you can't be a fan of something you haven't experienced. And no, I am not going to click off this channel. I have started following you recently. I really appreciate your content and you have in my opinion the best Tolkien oriented channel. I disagree with your opinion, but I believe your heart is in the right place. You can be absolutely be a "real fan of the movies". They are great pieces of art on their own and changed the landscape of movie making. They are great adaptations, they made drastic changes to characters and plot points, but they made sense in that context. They are worth their own meticulous studies, and inspired countless modern movie makers. They are a great point of entry for the books, but they are very different from the books, and you talk about it often. Sadly the Tolkien fandom can be quite toxic, nitpicky, and instead of trying to make people feel bad, it could be more helpful with newcomers. "You really should read the books, take your time, it's really gets easier from The Council of Elrond on" is what I often say. If you can't read them (because handicap, or sometimes life just goes in the way), audiobooks are a fantastic way of experiencing them, and I agree the Sirkis reading is fantastic. Your ability to read a book doesn't define you and your worth. So yeah... relax I believe you're giving good advice here. Keep up the excellent work.

[@allisongliot]

I gobbled up the trilogy when I was in middle school & only realized how much I’d missed when I went back & reread them in my early 20s (which took about 3 years total to finish all 3 books…but was totally worth it!)

[@Griggs1981]

Lotr is actually meant to be read with a middle earth map to track ur journey on most of the books have a map in the back

[@sourisvoleur4854]

I just fell into it in my early teens and totally inhaled it. I've now read it over 30 times. It's never hard.

[@warbrothers7745]

I was always scared off by what people said. And I’m up to where the hobbits leave the shire and loving , I’m hoping there is something horrible but coming up because so far it’s just a great old school tale. It’s reading in omniscient 3rd person narrator , instead of character focused 3rd person narrator of modern books, which gives it the old school yarn vibe , but I’m actually loving that.

[@MartianAmbassador69]

I asked the homeless guy on the bus to read LoTR with me, but he just whipped it out and forced me to suck at knife point

[@walterlemieux5573]

This may be bizarre, but my first experience reading Tolkien was actually the Silmarillion. I had long heard of The Hobbit and LOTR, but had never actually read them--and the wonderful PJ movies had not come out yet. I was in a college library (this was before Google, and the internet was still kind of a new thing) browsing for an English composition assignment, when this silver book with a strange title somehow caught my attention. I had no idea what it was, although the name Tolkien rang a bell. The first of his words that I ever read were the Ainulindalë. I was so entranced by this inspired tale of the world being created by a heavenly choir, that I took that book home and binge-read it over the next few days. It set back my coursework for a while, though I did make it up. My work for that class had nothing to do with Tolkien or his legendarium, and my prof liked my writing enough to recommend me for a scholarship--but how her face fell when I mentioned that over the summer I thought I'd immerse myself in Tolkien's LOTR! It just wasn't "serious" literature. "No, really, he was a scholar of Anglo-Saxon and Old English at Oxford, and he invented this alphabet that makes so much more sense than the randomly shaped letters of the Latin alphabet, and...." Oh well. Sorry to disappoint her. After the Silmarillion, LOTR was relatively easy. There were far fewer characters to keep track of, and their interwoven story lines were so much easier to trace. The Silmarillion added so much depth to the later work, remembering some of the backstory for leading characters in LOTR, such as Elrond, and Galadriel, and Gandalf himself. Sauron fearsome and all-powerful?! Junior was nowhere near in the same league as his mentor Melkor/Morgoth. I am so pleased that I stumbled into Tolkien's world at its beginning as he imagined it. But I would NEVER recommend starting that way for normal people. I'm a little OCD. The Silmarillion is much slimmer than LOTR, but there is so much to absorb. It's equivalent to Tolkien creating Greek mythology before writing the Iliad and the Odyssey as "little stories" set in that world. So where and how to start? I'd actually recommend seeing the PJ movies (LOTR, not the never-should-have-been-a-trilogy Hobbit flicks) if you're one of the 3 people who haven't seen them yet. But that's probably already the main reason today's fans are even considering to read the book. Just be prepared for it to take months for Frodo to leave the Shire (with some urgency!) and not the few days or hours as you see onscreen. Then, "Part Time Hobbit's" tips are very good--especially #9. Relax. Don't make it a chore. By the way, I just found your channel yesterday with your video about Tom Bombadil, a character I never really thought "belonged" in LOTR. After your video and some of the comments people wrote there, I'll try to give Tom a little more appreciation in my next read-through. I really loved your presentation of the Valar though, and the one for the Maiar.

[@liveforlife2494]

Would you be willing to do a similar video for reading The Silmarillion? I've personally tried 3 times to read it and still haven't made it through. From what I've seen, it does have that reputation across the board for being more difficult. Love your videos, thanks!

[@Sancarn]

Honestly, really interesting hearing that you really struggle with reading. This is something that I too have struggled with and the "Reading a page 6 times before I understood a word of it" is suchhh a common experience for me. I thought this was related to my dyspraxia, but perhaps it is more due to a lack of reading. I have never read LOTR, but as I've progressed into adulthood I've had to read a lot of programming documentation. I think this has got me into reading 'raw facts' a lot more than your average person. As a result I find the LOTR fandom wiki really easy and fascinating to read. Videos from LOTR Lore channels have also helped my knowledge of the universe a lot, "In Deep Geek" and "Nerd of the rings" to name a few. Audio books are a great shout, I've also found a few audio books on youtube. Finally, my experiences with watching CriticalRole and other D&D groups have helped me better understand and get more into the lore's of fantasy worlds. Anyhow, thanks for the video 😊 Keep it up.

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I can't guarantee that reading more will make it easier, but it has been my experience for the most part! I figure it can't hurt either way. And honestly, the raw facts are super enjoyable a lot of the time! Sometimes I just get stuck down the rabbit hole of a series I've never read or watched, just reading up on the lore. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@Toby-rj4tm]

This is a great video. Thank you. I attempted to read The Lord of the Rings during undergrad. It wasn’t happening (English major- already comes with so much to read). I read The Hobbit and Fellowship of the Ring and then jumped ship. Thankfully, we read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (no known author). I absolutely loved it. On a quest to procure my own copy of the Green Knight, I found out there were many retellings which led me right back to Tolkien.

[@KaydianBladebreaker]

Bonus points for being inclusive to the reading-challenged.

[@carlosdumbratzen6332]

I (and my two siblings) had the hobbit and the red book read to us when we were kids. We would all cuddle up in the bed of our parents while our mom was reading out loud. After that it was alot easier to go back to it and read it again and again. Today our edition is completely worn down, because at anytime anyone in my family is reading this book. So I cant really relate to struggling with reading it, but it sure helped reading first the hobbit and reading it together with other people. I am kind of confused that audiobooks have become such a thing, because I was constantly listening to them when I was a kid. Though I believe that it is still a completely different experience to read something yourself or have it read to you/listening to it through speakers. Due to what I am studying (history) I read alot. I also have realised that the times, when I could wake up and start reading until the sun sets, have passed. I constantly have to take breaks and it honestly is kind of sad. Though reading sources is a different kind of reading, as you constantly swap between different books, so you never get really deep into one specific work. Social media has really destroyed huge part of our lifes imo.

[@_alexx_2860]

You are SO right about Tolkien’s works coming to life when read aloud. I fell in love with The Hobbit when my mom read it to me as a child. She used voices and everything, bless her😂❤ It’s my favourite book to this day.

[@AnthonyB2351]

I first read it as a favour to a workmate, a student teacher, who didn't have the time. I would read a chapter each night and update her on the unfolding events the next day. I skimmed the poems and the Knights of the Round Table type stuff, which could get dense, and concentrated on the Hobbit's adventures, which were light and entertaining. Tolkien can weave prose with the best of them and the Hobbit bits make easy reading. The drama at The Bridge at Kazadum chapter and the end of The Fellowship of the Ring book almost killed me. And you would be hard-pressed to find an equal in any book to the tension and excitement at the end of The Return of the King when all the events come together in an explosive climax. I skipped the appendices. I later read it again at my own leisure. I went the same route as above, concentrating on the Hobbit's stories. At the 3rd go I started to dip my toe into the bits I'd skimmed at the earlier 2 readings. The 4th time I read the lot, appendices and all. I've lost count of how many times I've read it now, much more than 10, that's for sure. It's one of a number of books that I regularly re-read that I would be happy to be marooned on a desert island with. If you read it for pleasure, and not to tick a box on a 100 things to do before I die list, you'll find it one of the most entertaining books ever written. The main complaint from those that have completed its 1000+ pages is, it's too short. That's the effect it has on most of us. You just want the story to go on. Just don't tackle it like it's a school assignment. It was written to be enjoyed, not studied.

[@MartinBrabi]

Why am I watching tips for reading books I read in my youth? You are so charming

[@MrEd1024]

Tolkien's life work is beautiful, Poetic Love Stories , Tragic War & The Mortality of Man-Kind

[@Lethgar_Smith]

I was 14 and it was 1978. I couldn't put it down.

[@kevinrosero9723]

Really liked your defense of those who haven't read the books as nevertheless genuine fans. I fell in love with the books back in 1998, gobbled them up, and a few years later I did the same with the movies.

[@dankflyingv6345]

Tip 5 is basically how I’ve managed to do it. I of course listen to the movie sound tracks often (such as putting on a Mordor music and ambience compilation for the last five chapters of Two Towers) but I also strongly recommended dungeon synth. Particularly, Hole Dweller’s catalogue is excellent for the first half of Fellowship!

[@ambrosius]

Tip #2 is how I got through the Silmarillion this year. Amazing experience 😊

[@Wombatmetal]

It was a while back now, maybe 50 years ago. My father had passed away some time before, my mom struggled with mental illness, and one year for Christmas I was given the trilogy, I don't know by whom. And I was glued to the couch reading it that break. It took me to another world, and changed the trajectory of my life. I remember the first time I saw Frodo Lives! in a NY subway.

[@AlexMathiesen]

Tip #10 Acknowledge that chapters 3 - 8 of The Fellowship are pretty dry, and you'll just have to power through them. The chapters with Farmer Maggot and Tom Bombadill are alright, but things really pick up once you get to the prancing pony.

[@hawgryder13]

I had heard about TLOTR when I was in high school but didn't read it until I was in' my mid 20s at the request of my then girl friend. She started me out with her copy of The Hobbit which is a easy read and the best way to start. Then it was back to Middle Earth and the War of the Ring. It starts out easy but gets more intense quickly. It was long after I finished the 3rd book that the Silmarillion came out. My girl friend and I both bought copies of the first hard cover edition and delved into it. She finished first, in fact, she finished before I started! But then, I was working and she wasn't. Anyway, The Silmarillion was a really tough read. Only and intense wish to read it will get you through. Since then I have read LOTR many times, Silmarillion maybe 3 times, and refer to my Guide to Middle Earth a lot. Thanks for your time.

[@marilynleslie472]

I have read LOTR every year for over forty years. I try to read it slowly so I can enjoy the writing.

[@amirabushagour5812]

I ended up finally reading lord of the rings in my senior semester. I got the trilogy from my mom for Valentine's day (thank you mom). I ended up being sick often and having a medical procedure done which required a recovery period. Being bed ridden in a cozy bed allowed me to relax and be able to focus on the story. On the whole I don't reccomend it, but if you know you jave something coming up it's a great way to pass the time!

[@Pandaemoni]

When I was young I was an avid reader, so LOTR was right up my alley. Then came high school. After that I had trouble reading, other than something required for school, work or gaming (a hobby). When I turned 25, I decided to commit to reading at least 20 minutes a day, every day, for three months. I figured that even on a crazy day I can set aside 20 minutes. At first it was a bit of a slog (in fact for whatever reason, reading for fun made me sleey at the start), but most days I didn't want to stop reading and so I didn't. After the three months I was back to being a pretty diligent reader again.

[@Dunybrook]

I guess it's easier to experience it first as a kid because it seemed very effortless to read and understand. Audiobooks are amazing though as I also have recently discovered. What a great time to be alive. Reading The Hobbit first is a must though because it makes everything make more sense.

[@johnweigel9761]

I think I first read the Lord of the Rings when I was ten years old. Actually, my father read me the first two chapters or so, and then I caught fire with it due to the deep historical background that Gandalf provided in Chapter 2. From then on I read it myself. The only part I remember had trouble with was Book IV, with Frodo's and Sam's long journey with Gollum from the Emyn Muil to Cirith Ungol. Then Shelob rather livened things up. As an adult, I now appreciate that part of Tolkien's craftsmanship was writing beautifully detailed descriptions of the natural world the characters find themselves in. It really helps to think of each landscape as a living character: the farmlands of the Shire, the Old Forest, the Midgewater, the formerly cultivated wildernesses of Eregion and Ithilien, the rocky Emyn Muil, and of course the utterly barren volcanic plain of Ered Gorgoroth.

[@lukasweidinger6839]

I see where you are coming from, but wouldn´t you agree that movies are at the end of the day just..movies? They are interpretations of Tolkien´s works, not Tolkien´s work themselves...so I´m sorry, but I have to disagree with you on your final remarks :)

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

In my opinion, the story of The Lord of the Rings can be told outside of the original books. The movies are a different medium, but they still tell the story, in the same way that having someone read the book to you would tell the story. In my opinion, it's entirely possible to be a fan of the story of the Lord of the Rings without being super familiar with the original books. Thanks for watching!

[@lukasweidinger6839]

@@Jess_of_the_Shire well, but it will always be "a little copy, a child´s model, a slave´s flattery of that vast fortresss", that is the actual book, if you get the reference :). Besides, they changed tons of stuff in the movies - take Faramir´s character alone" - so I´m sorry to say, but it really isn´t the same thing.That is not to say the story cannot be told outside the original medium, but again, it will always be an interpretation subjugated to changes being made ( inevitably)

[@piercemathena2125]

​@@Jess_of_the_Shire I'd like to first say that I am commenting in large part for the algorithm, because I have recently found your channel and am enjoying your work. Your presentation style on Tolkien's Legendarium is refreshing. I'm also commenting because I enjoy a good discussion, though I don't expect a response on a 6 month old comment. Largely, I agree with your sentiments posted above. I absolutely believe one can be a fan of The Lord of The Rings/Hobbit without having read the source material. While we all acknowledge there are differences between the mediums, these differences not diminish the enjoyment of one or the other. That said, I do have to disagree with your statement that both films and movies tell the story and your comparison to having the book read to you. Reading the source and having the source read to you are the same in terms of content acquisition, but watching the movie is not. If we use the most famous of omissions, a fan who has only engaged with the movie does not know who Tom Bombadil is. This is absolutely fine for their takeaway on the big elements of the plot, but they didn't get the same story. If I retold the story as, "A bachelor takes a long trip to destroy his inheritance," I'm not wrong, but it's presented as a different story as, "After the disappearance of his Uncle, Frodo is tasked with saving the world." Maybe I'm being pedantic (it's possibly appropriate given the nature of Tolkien's Philological background), but story and plot are different things. I'd argue that the movies and the books and having someone tell you would all relay the same plot, but would present them in different stories.

[@30110CKs]

I agree, the movies are....fine....as far as they go. But nothing like the real thing.

[@akaboo69]

Phil Dahrashes version is great

[@camille_la_chenille]

I watched the LOTR movies for the forst time at 18, around 2019, and listened to the Hobbit audiobook during lockdown in 2020. It then took me another year before listening to the LOTR audibooks and it was what really gave me the kick to read a physical copy of the books. I am usually a fast reader but Fellowship of the ring took me almost three months to read, and I just didn't care. It was such a wonderful feeling to immerge myself in this world that time hadn't any meaning. I re-read the Hobbit at some point, and I realised I missed half of the story when listening to the audiobook in English (it's not my first language). Last summer, I tackled the Silmarillion and the thing that made me power-read it in ten days was a library deadline. So I guess it counts as a tip for reading Tolkien: if you can't find time to read, your library will make sure you HAVE TO. x) Now I am sloooowly reading my way through the History of Middle Earth books but I really want to re-read the LOTR, because it feels so much like coming home after a long journey. The Lord of the Rings, and Tolkien's works in genereal, have kept me going for the past three years where I have had really hard times and major life changes. It gives me a safe place where beauty and hope can be found in the smallest things and the darkest of times, and it has been an invaluable help for my mental health. I cannot really travel due to my health, nor can I go out and see friends easily, and The Lord of the Rings really helps me fight loneliness and makes me travel when I am stuck home.

[@jamesmaloney2396]

Goals what goals? Good way to start for the day ones but me (I'm a day none) and deadlines will never get along when it comes to literature. With most things I seem to only be able to follow the uncle, traveling-matt (fraggle rock: the dude who went to outer-space), approach. I scoured your setlist trying to find an episode that I apparently conjured (using ye ol' out of thin air routine) of "how to read the Hobbit". I can't imagine reading the lord of the rings without having read the Hobbit. Now I want to find someone who has. Well couldn't find it( the how to read the Hobbit episode: not so special yet apparently, thank God!); I guess it doesn't exist...? So this video is where I settled. What a day for a settlement! Had no idea today was the day that today is for lotr fandom! "A star definitely shines upon this meeting" oh varda ain't done smiling yet. Today is also my friend's birthday who is obsessed with the number 22 and I forgot today was that day as well. Thanks for the reminder alarm. He gonna shit a mental brick bigger than that three volume block you motioned to behind you when I drop that piano in his head twil be music to his ears. Is that the volume you read? It's kind of homebody isn't it? Not like you lug that thing on the bus or cozy up with it on the beach? But hey 2020 I forget that vision sometimes. Got to sit at the table with that behemoth or it's back problems waiting to happen. But anyways 22 is significant! And maybe I will have a buddy to read it with now. My friend became obsessed with 22 after his twin died. So he sees it everywhere. When he first told me about his Sensitivity i thought catch-22. That's it! A phrase, a book, anything more? Didn't think much else of it until 2022 was over and I realized my two favorite movies of that year I saw were CHAPPIE whose main character is number is 22 and SOUL who's name is 22. Strange then so what does Google say. 922 is an angel number. It's also the number of pages in the 2025 project, so you see it a bunch right now cuz of election season. I hadn't intended on starting the lotr till late January when gutter season was over and I wouldn't have to work till April when the blossoms drop. But then i saw the galadriel episode you did...

[@HS-su3cf]

Science seems to indicate that taking notes by hand might be more effective than writing on a keyboard. At least it triggers more areas of the brain.

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

That's awesome! I just heard it from one of my old professors and have always stuck to it, but it's nice to know there's some scientific backing haha

[@nikibee70]

Years ago I watched all 3 films in one day with my kids, and I still love watching them. I've had the book for a while and it wasn't until recently that I managed to read it, but I found the LOTR project and wiki helpful as my memory isn't great and there's a lot to follow. I'll still read it again though 😊

[@TheMarineIguanaStudios]

7:41 Got a great laugh out of the Eärendil reference! 🤣🤣🤣 God bless you!

[@margarethorrall8621]

I never had a problem reading The Lord of the Rings or Silmarillion. I read Unfinished Tales later and really, other than the large number of unfamiliar names, they were all fairly easy reads.

[@AnnapurnaMoffatt]

I first attempted to read LOTR the summer I turned 13: 2001, about six months before The Fellowship of the Ring movie came out. DNF. But I saw the movie when it came out on DVD, loved it and saw The Two Towers and The Return of the King in the theatre, and when the extended editions came out, I became a huge fan of them. The extended editions are now the only way I watch LOTR, and I watch them a few times a year. In '21, I got myself a box set of the books and started reading them... very... slowly... Earlier this year, I came across an audiobook of LOTR on KZbin, and finally the books clicked with me. I usually prefer reading things myself, but I do appreciate audiobooks--and I discovered that LOTR was MEANT to be read aloud. Three weeks ago I got Andy Serkis' version (highly recommend). And I'm FLYING through it: I started on August fifteenth (skipping the forward and the prologue) and as of today, September 4, 2024, I have just three hours, twenty-six minutes left (Book 2, Chapter 7, The Mirror of Galadriel). However, that could soon change because I'd like to listen to a chapter before bed.

[@jeffmason3785]

I discovered the LOTR when I was about 15, in the late seventies. A friend of mine had the authorized Canadian edition, which cover of which depicted the Fellowship walking away from the viewer, clad in that quasi-medival style so loved by artists at the time, all pointy shoes and crenellations. When I joined the work force (a paper route), I bought a boxed copy of "Tolkien's Heroic Tales", which included The Hobbit and LOTR. I tore through the Hobbit, and loved it. Then came LOTR... I read the first chapter, and thought "who is this lout Frodo? Bring back Bilbo!" But I perservered. The second chapter hooked me, and I was dragged along, finishing the Trilogy in a weekend. I then read it again, and again, and again...about eight times through in one summer. I would read it at least once a year for a long time after, but marriage, kids, job all got between me and Middle Earth. Now, in my early 60s, with things slowing down, i plan to take some quiet time, and visit with the Professor once again. Thanks for all of your entertaining (and informative) videos!

[@kathleenhensley5951]

I read it in 1967 or so. My sister gave me the trilogy after she read it : READ IT... I found it difficult to get into .. I tried the introduction several times. I was both going to High School and working on weekends. Terrible home life to be honest. Reading was my escape from those stresses. What i remember is I came home from maid's job in the summer and I wanted to start it for real. I decided I was going to be sick for a week or so. I found 'concerning hobbits' impossible. The Party was confusing and sounded silly and childish. I finally found a chapter that was interesting.. shadow of the past. There was no help. My sister lived hundreds of miles away and I didn't even think of calling her. NO internet, podcasts, books about, I didn't understand the maps. Was this our world or another world? I really wanted to put it in science fiction setting, so another world or our world at the end of an ice age? Very confusing.... no knowledge of the author. It was solidly English and I am an Italian American, so no background in English myths and fairy tales. I skipped the poetry because the poems confused me, even more. I can't say if I even understood the books the first time. I am not sure. I understood some events. I know I cried when Gandalf fell from Bridge. By then, I was hooked. I ultimately went on to memorize all the poems I could stuff into my brain. I made a rug based on a drawing by Tolkien. etc etc. I think I've read the books once a year for several decades. I really suggest listening to the audio books if you have the same trouble I did. Listen to the beginning, but I think reading is far, far better. I am still learning aspects of his complex legendarium. I love podcasts and You tubers talking about the Trilogy, there are several very fine ones.

[@thehoneybunempress1664]

Yes! Audiobooks are a life saver. I'm finally working my way through the books with Phil Dragash's free narration. He's been phenomenal.

[@kimmieryren10]

I'm currently working through reading The Hobbit and re-reading The Lord of the Rings in preparation to read The Simarillion. It took me 1 whole year to finish The Lord of the Rings and I constantly felt pressured (by myself) to read faster bcs I felt like wouldn't be a legitimate fan until I finish reading them. Your kind words reminded me that it's okay if we take much longer than expected to read the books or struggle along the way. It doesn't make us any less of a fan! Now, I'm taking as much time as I need to read the books. I decided on 1 chapter a day while listening to the movie soundtracks before bed ^^ I'm enjoying every second of it!

[@DarkerRunesASMR]

I appreciate your work.

[@NixterThePhoenix]

I tried to read The Hobbit back in grade 7 and found myself struggling to adjust to Tolkien's writing style. Didn't bother to engage with his work again until last Christmas when my partner and I watched the extended LotR trilogy together and immediately fell in love with the story. Been listening to a dramatic reading of The Hobbit lately, and it's honestly helped me appreciate it so much more.

[@youtube-ventura]

The biggest tip I can offer is just to slow down. Like many others, I'm a fast reader but I found that so much happens in these books in such few words that if you move too fast, you won't capture the full meaning and you won't experience the full impact.

[@jeyfromnowhere]

Dumb luck is fantastic. We happen to be arriving in New Zealand this year on September 22nd. And we'll be visiting (and thus leaving behind) Hobbiton on September 23rd.

[@ericscarface]

Can I add one? Skip the prologue! You can read the prologue after finishing the main story. After the return of the king then read the prologue and still had a good experience reading the books.

[@joshuarowe4425]

For TTT and ROTK, I'd recommend reading a chapter from part 1, then one from part 2, skipping back and forth. The Frodo/Sam chapters can really drag if you have to read them all I a row.

[@scottjackson1420]

Jess, here's my story about reading LOTR. When I was a sixth grader, my teacher Mrs. Bunting, doing one chapter per day, read The Hobbit to us out load in class. I really enjoyed it, and never forgot it. Flash forward to my senior year of high school. I told my parents about the Hobbit and sixth grade (I'd never heard of LOTR at this point), and asked for it as a Christmas present. The morning of December 25 came along, and I received the paperback Hobbit/LOTR four volume box set. When Christmas present exchanges ended I brought my loot up to my bedroom. Around 10:00 AM or so, I stretched on my bed and started on the Hobbit. Here's the plot twist. I didn't stop reading until I completed the Return of the King. I think I finished up around 3 in the morning the following day, more or less. It was the best reading experience of my life. And now you know the rest of the story, Jess.

[@timbuckley321]

These stories got me into fantasy back in high school but Audiobooks totally changed my life as well. There are some incredibly epic Web Novels out there too. Omniscient Readers Viewpoint blew my mind with some ultra Meta fantasy, Great vid

[@Boostian_]

Amazing video. I’ve been struggling with anxiety all my life so, for me, reading Tolkien’s work is kind of difficult. When I was reading The Silmarillion, every three or some chapters I watched videos of those chapters to help me understand some things and it really helped.

[@Morosoph_deLore]

I read the Hobbit and the LOTR during the summer of 71 (before I entered the 10 grade). Probably about 3 hours at a time. I couldn't (and still can't) have background music while reading because I will drift into the music and forget about everything else. Most of my time was spent working or living at the beach! I learned about the books from my friends, who read it during the summer of 70. I had no time to read the books sooner (but wished I did). I found the Hobbit at the local bookstore. However, I had to order the LOTR books by mail (from the order form on the Hobbit's last page.) The LOTR was not available in my small town library nor the local book store.

[@Harriet-Jesamine]

When I was 13, my father recommended to me to read the Hobbit first, he explained how fascinating it would be to observe the gradual metamorphosis if Tokiens's wruting style as the book progresses, and by the time it concludes, the style is closer to lotr... However within LOTR there are numerous different literary styles within the one book, at different parts of it. I strongly recommend one's first attempt with an audiobook. As a little taster, I would recommend my all time favourite piece of LOTR media, which is the BBC Radio4 1982 13hour Dramatisation, (in which Ian Holm plays Frodo😁) and Peter Woodthorpe delivered the DEFINITIVE Gollum!! It is absolutely hauntingly beautiful. I would strongly recommend to begin with this, then listen to the Unabridged 'The Hobbit' read by Rob Inglis.....then finally the Unabridged LOTR read by either Sirkis or Inglis.. depending on your choice. Great to listen to with All Lights Out, and a heavy Thunderstorm happening outside your window.😊

[@BrodieVickers-tk9sd]

Picturing you playing with your Barbies when you were a kid, I feel like you should definitely have had an Aragon figure as a substitute for Ken😄.. I do remember that you could get a 12-inch figure of him back then, probably still can haha Another tip I can think of, maybe try reading all the books individually, rather than all 3 in 1. Might make it feel a lot less intimidating and daunting that way too. I discovered copies of Two Towers and Return of the King on my parent's bookshelf recently, also Tom Bombadil! So I'll definitely get around to attempting those and Fellowship in the foreseeable

[@unstrung65]

The BEST way to read the Lord of the Rings , is to read it ( and often re-read it ) - in my day this was no problem . And ideally one should NOT see the films , to keep your imagination intact . Their were NO tricks , you just read the books .

[@tomhoornstra1954]

I'm getting older and have eyestrain when I read for long. So, audiobooks definitely do it for me. With Howard Shore's music and good character acting-narration. It brings it all to life.

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I love an audiobook with music!

[@aferby]

I read the books in my native language during the summer vacation before my 8th grade. I remember it as one of the best summer vacation of my childhood almost entirely for this reason. I actually wanted to read it a lot sooner but a school "friend" ruined my Fellowship copy and it was before the movies were even conceived so finding a new one wasn't easy... The funny thing is, once I'd finished reading I decided I had to read it in English, as I already appreciated the fact that many things get lost in translation. Only problem was that my ESL lvl at the time didn't even come close to being proficient enough to manage that... So I ended up reading, struggling, putting the reading aside for months, circling back to reading and so on for 3 years! But once I finally finished, being so proud of myself, I immediately started again, because in my foolish teenage mind I felt I had to complete it without such long breaks. And I guess I was just stubborn enough (or my proficiency improved enough) that I actually managed to do so. By the time the movies were made I was already lost in Middle Earth...

[@victoriafolch-pi5824]

I wouldn't say that LOTR is at the TOP of my list, but I openly admit that as a life-long fantasy fan, Tolkien is the father of my chosen genre. We have CS Lewis and others, but the fantasy I LOVE is heavily influenced by Tolkien. I have a lot to thank that man for and I hope I one day do because a HUGE LOTR fan.

[@paulrapp613]

Hmmm….. my first run in with Tolkien was in high school. My mother was reading the trilogy and thought I might like it. This was a while back; before the internet, smartphones, tablets, compact cd players, personal computers, electronic calculators, etc. etc. etc. Books were how a person acquired knowledge and a goodly portion of how said person escaped reality for a while. We did have television, radio and movies but books were better by far. Movies could (generally) be seen more than once. At a price each time! Radio shows and television shows were one and done affairs. But books! Books were something that could be kept forever and read whenever the desire demanded. And that is exactly what happened to me when my mom gave me her copies of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and The Hobbit. I read them. The Hobbit first then the LOTR, seven consecutive times without a break. I did go to school. I did not do much homework. I achieved the poorest grades of my academic career during those two semesters. I read Tolkien. The world changed. Earth disappeared. Middle Earth became a reality. In the intervening decades I have reread the trilogy maybe thirty times. (Only one other book in my life has ever caused me to give it more than six rereads and that is “Stranger in a Strange Land” by Robert A. Heinlein.) Today, circa sixty years later, Middle Earth is just as beautiful and just as real and maybe more important than it was when first I entered into its story. On a recent road trip I listened to the Rob Inglis recording on cds. “The Lord of the Rings” is a tale that shall never grow old, trite, outdated or dull.

[@ethanl1359]

This tip might not work for everyone, but here’s my 2 cents: make it past Tom bombadill and the council of Elrond and you’re gold

[@ThatDudeLarzFoo-ah]

I re read the Silmarillion to my daughter when she was about 1-4 years old, and obviously she wasn’t gonna comprehend it (even I struggle with that one. Lol) but I’m confident that her linguistics and overall literacy has benefited from her being exposed to that type of literature at that formidable age. ❤ Just stumbled across your content and I Love your channel 💯

[@jimtownsend8010]

Mahler symphonies seem like they would be pretty great for reading LOTR