So yes, if you’ve been a reader of my blog for a while now – you may have started to realize I have several things I really LOVE! But this by far is my biggest! For quite a long while now, I have been a HUGE Tolkien fan. Before they had the new movies from Peter Jackson, before they were even talking about it, I had read these books cover to cover more times than I can count.

So yes, I’m the nerd who had to have the TRUE “Redbook of Westermarch,” which is what it is called in the book itself. Originally Tolkien hadn’t wanted to split the story up, but it was simply too long. The publisher insisted it needed to be made into a series. So the large red leather-bound book is, in my mind, the way Tolkien intended it to be. And of course I had to have a leather covered copy of The Hobbit to match. Not to mention a Tolkien themed notebook and a Sindarin (Elvish) to English dictionary. Because let’s be honest – if you’ve watched the Peter Jackson movies – Sindarin is a beautiful language.

But the real reason I got into these books dates all the way back to fifth grade, which is when I first read them. My dad had talked about the Lord of the Rings and how they were the first books he ever read for fun. His love and passion for the stories is what initially enticed me to read them. I wanted to share this love with my dad. And the reading of them has not only done that, but it’s provided me with hours of joy. Each time I read these books I discover another layer, another hidden message or meaning that I overlooked before. It’s like each new life experience I have, opens up another part of the book I hadn’t previously seen.

These stories have been a constant part of my life for the past 14 years at least. When I was going through the roughest patches in my life, these books were there. The characters were like familiar friends & the stories provided comfort and advice. It was a blissful realm I could seek refuge in. In general, stories always have provided me with escape. They give me a chance to learn or experience a life totally different from my own. It’s why I so love to read. And the more I read, the deeper appreciation I have for Tolkien and his works. The depth of the story and world he created and the message(s) he conveyed, are astounding. And the mere fact that I can read them over and over with just as much pleasure is truly awesome!

With my love of these stories in mind, I took a few minutes to photograph just a few of my favorite pieces in this collection. (Although I left out the Silmarillion because it’s currently sitting beside the bed for reading haha). Here’s a little peek! 🙂