Book Snails Book Group discussion

The June BOTM poll was very close and came down to the wire, but in the end The Fellowship Of The King prevailed. Thanks to those who voted, and I hope y'all enjoy this month's escape into Middle Earth! Cheers!

I went go check the poll, ready to change my vote to break the tie. I'm glad it's this one, as I've already read Sleeping Beauties. Now I just need to get this from the library.

Many years ago, as a young legal secretary, one of the lawyers in our office discovered that I’d never read TLOTR, so he came in one morning and plopped the paperback trilogy on my desk and said, “Read.” I’m forever grateful to him. I have since delved deeply into Middle Earth, all the way back to it’s pre-history, beginning with its creation story and tales of how and when the Order of Wizards was made (they are ancient, lesser gods) and the creation of the First Born (the Elven races,) the secretly-made Dwarves, and Man. These are all in The Silmarillion. I hope you have many many happy years on your journey!

Candace wrote: "Many years ago, as a young legal secretary, one of the lawyers in our office discovered that I’d never read TLOTR, so he came in one morning and plopped the paperback trilogy on my desk and said, “..."

Thanks Candace. I remember picking it up when I was about 14 and thought it was boring. I was into Alice in Wonderland, Poe, Frankenstein, that kind of thing. But I loved the movies and as I'm now a quarter century older, I'm hoping I'll more open minded now. I'm looking forward to this read.

Candace wrote: "Many years ago, as a young legal secretary, one of the lawyers in our office discovered that I’d never read TLOTR, so he came in one morning and plopped the paperback trilogy on my desk and said, “..."

Now that's a lawyer I can like. A good taste in books. That's awesome that you got hooked on the series. After reading The Hobbit, I am sure I will get hooked on the rest of the books just as easily. I am planning on reading everything Tolkien before I die, lol.

Keli wrote: "I went go check the poll, ready to change my vote to break the tie. I'm glad it's this one, as I've already read Sleeping Beauties. Now I just need to get this from the library."

I hope you can get it, Keli!

Ev wrote: "Keli wrote: "I went go check the poll, ready to change my vote to break the tie. I'm glad it's this one, as I've already read Sleeping Beauties. Now I just need to get this from the library."

I ho..."

It's on reserve. All the copies are out 😭😭😭

Keli wrote: "Ev wrote: "Keli wrote: "I went go check the poll, ready to change my vote to break the tie. I'm glad it's this one, as I've already read Sleeping Beauties. Now I just need to get this from the libr..."

Wow. The effect Tolkien has on readers even decades later is amazing.

I have not yet read ANY Tolkien...please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me! I think I'd probably start with "The Hobbit" but I believe "The Fellowship of the Ring" is also waiting on the shelf. However, I'll probably miss it this time around because I've only got about 12+ books going at the moment...and lots of baby reading included in the mix! Congrats to those of you who are reading the book and enjoying it, for the first time or possibly the fifth. I've heard nothing but praise for this entire author's work.

readage 📚☕️ wrote: "I have not yet read ANY Tolkien...please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me! I think I'd probably start with "The Hobbit" but I believe "The Fellowship of the Ring" is also waiting on the shelf. How..."

So many books, so little time. I know that feeling. I'm sure you will get around to it. :)

Sweet! Glad this won. I've been planning on rereading this for a long time now. Haven't read it since I was in 7th grade.

I read The Hobbit years ago and thought it was excellent. I've started reading Fellowship now and so far I'm really enjoying it.

Why has it taken me so long to read this? Thanks guys for recommending it.

I still can’t get over the depth of Tolkien’s genius. Not only did he write the enduring definitive fantasy trilogy, he wrote gorgeous poetry. He invented languages for the inhabitants of Middle Earth, as well as drawing all the maps thereof. He also drew many scenes from LOTR and The Hobbit. As if that wasn’t enough, he invented the creation story for his universe. He was dismayed that England didn’t have much in the way of a mythology, so he wrote one. He drew much from Norse mythology. This was written before LOTR. The characters in LOTR speak of the ancient past, so I think it’s worth knowing that The Beginning was actually written down. The universe was created with music. Isn’t that wonderful? As to his many poems, the Lay of Beren and Luthian is a masterpiece. It’s quite lengthy (it’s in The Silmarillion, but I do NOT recommend reading that before LOTR.) Tolkien saw himself as a Mortal Man, in love with Luthian, an immortal elf. Luthian gave up her immortality to marry Beren. Tolkien is buried next to his wife. Her tombstone is engraved with “My Luthian” - how wonderfully romantic! So you see why I’m a fan. 💕

Oops, the Lay of Luthien isn't in The Silmarillion, although there's a chapter about Beren and Luthien. It's actually published in The Lays of Beleriand. Here's the Wiki on the poem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lay...

Candace wrote: "I still can’t get over the depth of Tolkien’s genius. Not only did he write the enduring definitive fantasy trilogy, he wrote gorgeous poetry. He invented languages for the inhabitants of Middle Ea..."

How incredibly romantic. 😍😍 I might have to visit their graves.

Candace wrote: "Oops, the Lay of Luthien isn't in The Silmarillion, although there's a chapter about Beren and Luthien. It's actually published in The Lays of Beleriand. Here's the Wiki on..."

I've never read any Tolkien but I can't wait for my copy to come in to the library. The earliest return is June 17.😭😭😭

Keli wrote: "Candace wrote: "Oops, the Lay of Luthien isn't in The Silmarillion, although there's a chapter about Beren and Luthien. It's actually published in The Lays of Beleriand. He..."

:(

Keli wrote: "Candace wrote: "I still can’t get over the depth of Tolkien’s genius. Not only did he write the enduring definitive fantasy trilogy, he wrote gorgeous poetry. He invented languages for the inhabita..."

That would be AWESOME! I *think* I remember correctly that his gravestone has "Beren" on it, as well as hers having "Luthien." Sigh.

Candace wrote: "Keli wrote: "Candace wrote: "I still can’t get over the depth of Tolkien’s genius. Not only did he write the enduring definitive fantasy trilogy, he wrote gorgeous poetry. He invented languages for..."

And all the posthumous works are edited by their son, Christopher, working from voluminous stacks of material from his father's study.

Candace wrote: "I still can’t get over the depth of Tolkien’s genius. Not only did he write the enduring definitive fantasy trilogy, he wrote gorgeous poetry. He invented languages for the inhabitants of Middle Ea..."

I never knew that about Tolkien. I agree it's really impressive how he manages to create an entire existence of creatures and events and history that keeps readers entertained for decades on end. It takes a real talent to have done what he did with the LOTR series and never get distracted by the popularity or the negative criticism he probably had over the years. I am so glad I read The Hobbit. Am looking forward to read this one, no matter how long it takes since I am a slow reader. lol

Candace wrote: "Candace wrote: "Keli wrote: "Candace wrote: "I still can’t get over the depth of Tolkien’s genius. Not only did he write the enduring definitive fantasy trilogy, he wrote gorgeous poetry. He invent..."

Think how cool it would be to be Tolkien's son who inherits everything, all his father's work and materials and get to see inside the mind of one of the most celebrated authors in the world. Also being his son is just as cool, lol.

Ev wrote: "Candace wrote: "I still can’t get over the depth of Tolkien’s genius. Not only did he write the enduring definitive fantasy trilogy, he wrote gorgeous poetry. He invented languages for the inhabita..."

I believe it's worth the read. And the movies turned out to be astonishingly marvelous. Most everyone who worked on them were fans, and their efforts were above and beyond - such as meticulous weapons crafting, costumes, sets, etc. The weapons were lovingly designed to work as if actually tailor-made, and had inscriptions on them *in the language of the race that bore them.* Amazing.

Candace wrote: "Ev wrote: "Candace wrote: "I still can’t get over the depth of Tolkien’s genius. Not only did he write the enduring definitive fantasy trilogy, he wrote gorgeous poetry. He invented languages for t..."

It just goes to show what passion and love for imagination can do to make every fan's world brighter.

Ev wrote: "Candace wrote: "Candace wrote: "Keli wrote: "Candace wrote: "I still can’t get over the depth of Tolkien’s genius. Not only did he write the enduring definitive fantasy trilogy, he wrote gorgeous p..."

Yes! Very cool indeed.

Ev wrote: "Candace wrote: "Ev wrote: "Candace wrote: "I still can’t get over the depth of Tolkien’s genius. Not only did he write the enduring definitive fantasy trilogy, he wrote gorgeous poetry. He invented..."

There are good people in the world(s). :)

Hope everyone is enjoying our book of the month!

Ev wrote: "Hope everyone is enjoying our book of the month!"

I'd love to hear what everyone thinks about it.

I got my copy last Sunday but I can't start it yet. 😭😭😭 I have to read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn before the end of the month month. So this will be my end of June/July bom. I look forward to starting soon.

Keli wrote: "I got my copy last Sunday but I can't start it yet. 😭😭😭 I have to read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn before the end of the month month. So this will be my end of June/July bom. I look forward to startin..."

That's okay. I'll probably be reading it through July as well. :)

Candace wrote: "Ev wrote: "Hope everyone is enjoying our book of the month!"

I'd love to hear what everyone thinks about it."

Me, too!