Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Like every other hobbit, Bilbo Baggins likes nothing better than a quiet evening in his snug hole in the ground, dining on a sumptuous dinner in front of a fire. But when a wandering wizard captivates him with tales of the unknown, Bilbo becomes restless. Soon he joins the wizard’s band of homeless dwarves in search of giant spiders, savage wolves, and other dangers. Bilbo quickly tires of the quest for adventure and longs for the security of his familiar home. But before he can return to his life of comfort, he must face the greatest threat of all - a treasure-troving dragon named Smaug.

Member Nora is looking for Members interested in this magical journey!

I just finished Narnia series. I will join this read and then proceed to The Lord of The Rings series.

Nidhi wrote: "I just finished Narnia series. I will join this read and then proceed to The Lord of The Rings series."

Hi Nidhi! It's Nora! Thanks so much for joining me! I have a very old Ballentine Fantasy edition of this book and it includes 19 chapters. What version of the book do you have and how many chapters is it?

i just read The Hobbit two weeks ago! im onto the lord of the rings now, reading The Two Towers

Emily wrote: "i just read The Hobbit two weeks ago! im onto the lord of the rings now, reading The Two Towers"

Hi Emily! I’m so glad you enjoyed this book! Please feel free to join the discussion anytime!

I hope I can squeeze it in.

I hope you can join us Rosemarie!

I really like this book. I don't know how many times I've read it.

Rosemarie wrote: "I really like this book. I don't know how many times I've read it."

It’s my first time and I am really looking forward to reading it!

You're in for a treat, Nora.

I really really want to read this one and I think a buddy read will help and it has been on my Kindle since over a year. Maybe I'll join a little later as I'm juggling too many books right now.

Shaina wrote: "I really really want to read this one and I think a buddy read will help and it has been on my Kindle since over a year. Maybe I'll join a little later as I'm juggling too many books right now."

Hi Shaina! It’s totally cool for you to join whenever! I know what it’s like reading too many books at the same time!

Rosemarie wrote: "You're in for a treat, Nora."

I can’t hardly wait! Thanks so much for your recommendation, Rosemarie!

I may join in: I've got the audiobook, narrated by Andy Serkis.

Doris wrote: "I may join in: I've got the audiobook, narrated by Andy Serkis."

Please feel free to join us, Doris! I will love to hear your opinion on the audiobook since it’s narrated by Gollum from the motion picture franchise! He’s my favorite character:))

Since this book is 19 chapters, I think it is a good idea to read 3 chapters a day? What do other people think?

I read more than one book at a time so I suggest we give ourselves one month or so and also state which chapter we’re talking about to avoid confusion. That way members can read at any pace they prefer.
I tend to read more chapters towards the end of the book!

Rosemarie wrote: "I read more than one book at a time so I suggest we give ourselves one month or so and also state which chapter we’re talking about to avoid confusion. That way members can read at any pace they pr..."

Those sound like really great ideas, Rosemarie!! I’m totally in agreement. What do other people think?

Nora this will stay open until the end of the year so if others need a later start time or like Rosemarie like to delve into several books it will give plenty of time. That is a good thing too for those who check out your thread in later months!!

Lesle wrote: "Nora this will stay open until the end of the year so if others need a later start time or like Rosemarie like to delve into several books it will give plenty of time. That is a good thing too for ..."

Thanks so much for explaining this to me, Lesle. This makes so much sense!

Nora you can adjust your chapter read to something else if you do not mind following the thread. Some Members do appreciate a schedule of sorts.

and your more than welcome!

Oh, I just reread this in March! I may pop in, but this is a crazy month for me.

Lesle wrote: "Nora you can adjust your chapter read to something else if you do not mind following the thread. Some Members do appreciate a schedule of sorts.

and your more than welcome!"

Thanks so much for letting me know, Lesle! I think that I will read one chapter a week to make my schedule easier!

Karin wrote: "Oh, I just reread this in March! I may pop in, but this is a crazy month for me."

Hi Karin! Please feel free to jump in whenever you want!

I’m reading a very old Ballentine Fantasy edition from 1978 that’s very interesting because it’s a revised edition that’s been edited based on readers observations and I think it’s super cool for that reason! The only thing that is bad about it is that it includes maps that are very hard to read. What other versions are all of you reading?

I'm reading this version: The Hobbit .
I'm starting my reread tomorrow.

Rosemarie wrote: "I'm reading this version: The Hobbit .
I'm starting my reread tomorrow."

That’s a really beautiful book cover, Rosemarie!

Thanks. I got it and the trilogy in hard cover a long time ago as a present from my husband.

Rosemarie wrote: "Thanks. I got it and the trilogy in hard cover a long time ago as a present from my husband."

You’re welcome, Rosemarie. That’s so sweet of your husband!

I just finished Chapter 1 and here’s my thoughts:

I think that hobbits homes sounds very cozy and like a wonderful place to live!

I’ve only seen the Lord of the Rings movies so I was already familiar with Bilbo and Gandalf so it’s cool to see how they met!

I love the tea party scene and all the songs!

I enjoyed finding out more about the map and finding out how difficult the journey was going to be.

I really love the way it’s written and the dialogue is so charming!

The book is more fun than the movie-and more lighthearted.

Rosemarie wrote: "The book is more fun than the movie-and more lighthearted."

So far, I totally agree with you, Rosemarie!

Chapter 2:
Poor Bilbo had to leave in such a hurry he didn't have time to pack anything-but he did get his second breakfast, and had a chance to clean up the mess left in the kitchen by the dwarves.

Chapter 5:

We meet Gollum for the first time.

Rosemarie wrote: "Chapter 2:
Poor Bilbo had to leave in such a hurry he didn't have time to pack anything-but he did get his second breakfast, and had a chance to clean up the mess left in the kitchen by the dwarves."

I felt sorry for Bilbo too but I’m glad he was able to catch up with the dwarves! Also isn’t second breakfast really brunch? I also thought that the scene with the trolls was really funny!

It ‘s hilarious, how many ways Trolls think of cooking dwarves. All of them think of food only.🤣🤣

Nidhi wrote: "It ‘s hilarious, how many ways Trolls think of cooking dwarves. All of them think of food only.🤣🤣"

I totally agree, Nidhi! So far, it seems like all anyone in this book is food!!

Especially Bilbo!

Nora, there is such a thing as second breakfast-about half way between first breakfast and lunch! Paddington Bear called it "elevenses".

Rosemarie wrote: "Nora, there is such a thing as second breakfast-about half way between first breakfast and lunch! Paddington Bear called it "elevenses"."

I totally didn’t know that was a thing!! I love Paddington Bear!!

Rosemarie wrote: "Nora, there is such a thing as second breakfast-about half way between first breakfast and lunch! Paddington Bear called it "elevenses"."

Haha!
I wish I would have know this before myself! My Dad would eat a full breakfast of scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, bacon, toast and grapefruit and turn around about 3 hours later (9-9:30ish) and go to McD's and have pancakes and coffee!

Chapter 7: They meet Beorn, who helps them and gives them good advice before they enter Mirkwood.

Don't stray off the path!

And those are Gandalf's words as well.

Rosemarie wrote: "Nora, there is such a thing as second breakfast-about half way between first breakfast and lunch! Paddington Bear called it "elevenses"."

Hobbits do second breakfast AND elevensies. They really know how to live. :)

Book Nerd wrote: "Rosemarie wrote: "Nora, there is such a thing as second breakfast-about half way between first breakfast and lunch! Paddington Bear called it "elevenses"."

Hobbits do second breakfast AND elevensi..."

They certainly do know how to live, Book Nerd:))

This is out of the present discussion. But the mention of the Paddington bear made me want to read it. And now I'm listening to the first book in the series. :)

That's great,Piyangie.

Piyangie wrote: "This is out of the present discussion. But the mention of the Paddington bear made me want to read it. And now I'm listening to the first book in the series. :)"

That’s super cool, Piyangie! I love Paddington and the movies are wonderful too:))

Chapter 8:

Mirkwood lives up to its name!

Thank you, Rosemarie and Nora.

Piyangie wrote: "Thank you, Rosemarie and Nora."

You are welcome, Piyangie.