The Fellowship of the Ring (book one)
Comments: This is Book One of the Lord of the Rings trilogy -- a trilogy I
have started to read about half a dozen times over the years, beginning in about
the fifth grade, when I had a terrible crush on the cartoon version of Frodo
from the Lord of the Rings movie. It took until I was nearly 27, though, for me
to start this book and then not be able to put it down. The problem is that
nasty early section when the gang takes off on their quest to destroy the One
Ring, a ring designed by the evil Sauron (sort of the Darth Vader of the Middle
Earth) which contains all the power he'd need to destroy the world. The gang
does an AWFUL lot of boring trekking through the woods initially, but this time
I stuck it out (and actually, it wasn't as boring this time, either). By the
time they emerged at the first real resting place, I was starting to have
trouble stopping in the middle of chapters. By the time they hit scary tunnel in
the mountain, I was having trouble putting the book down at bedtime. Actually, I
was having trouble putting it down an hour AFTER bedtime. This is, without a
doubt, one of the most exciting books I've ever read. I was thinking I'd
probably read a mystery after this one and before starting Book Two, but when
Pippin threw that rock down the well in the tunnel and then they heard something
down then start to hammer, I knew there was no stopping until I'd read all
three. So, that's what you have to look forward to over the next week. If you
haven't tried these books yet, you really ought to. Even if it's not usually
your kind of thing (which it isn't usually mine). You will fall in love with
Frodo (and Sam Gamgee, most of all). You will bite your nails during the battle
with the orcs. You will cry after that battle (won't tell you why) and go into
complete denial over the tragic event (it just CAN'T be true -- it CAN'T!). And
then when you get to the end, you will kick yourself for not bringing Book Two
to work with you that day (I just read the last 30 pages on my lunch break --
argh!!). If I had to recommend one book from all these books I've read combined,
THIS would be the book! It just doesn't get any better than this. Well, until
Book Two anyway.
The Two Towers (book two)
Comments: As I said in my last entry (see November's page), I'm currently in
the process of reading the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy by Tolkien. Book One was
amazing, but, to put it simply, Book Two just kicked my ass. There's no better
(or more couth) way to say that, and I apologize for using the word "ass," but,
seriously -- this book kicks major hiney. I don't want to write a single word
about the plot, though, because if you've read my review of the first book (The
Fellowship of the Ring), you pretty much know what's going on and anything I say
about this book will ruin some exciting part of it for you. So, all I'm going to
say is this: if you haven't read this series, you are seriously missing out. I
wanted to save the third and final book for my Christmas vacation (just like I'm
saving the fourth Harry Potter), but after that last chapter of "The Two
Towers," ain't NO WAY I'm waiting two more weeks to continue. That's how good it
is. Trust me, you will love it! The highest of recommendations!!
The Return of the King (book three)
Comments: I tried to make Book Three last as long as I could, but I didn't do
as well as I hoped. Again, I won't describe the plot at all because it will just
ruin something for you. Suffice it to say the end of this book made me cry. And
for the whole day after I read it, I got kinda teary whenever I thought about
certain parts of it. These three books are definitely the most enjoyable and
entertaining novels I have ever read. Time to buy them in hardcover so they'll
last long enough for me to read them to my firstborn son, who is DEFINITELY
going to be named Samwise.