20260301
It’s difficult to know what to say after finishing a third of what I had always been told would be the best books of my life. That belief actually held me back from reading them. What would be left once I had finished the greatest fictional story ever told?
It took me nearly 30 years to begin the trilogy and 10 months to finish it. I was deliberate with my reading, making sure I was alone and able to fully immerse myself each time.
Although I’m glad I treated each session as something special, I sometimes wonder what my life might have looked like had I read them earlier. On the very day I finished the final book, a long depressive period in my life came to an end.
Afterward, I felt compelled to follow where the mind that created this story had gone. I looked up where Tolkien had studied and discovered a master’s program in neuroscience. Throughout my life, I’ve loved understanding how things work and experimenting. As a teenager, I developed a passion for health. When I shared this new academic direction with others for the first time, the response was overwhelmingly positive, many said it seemed like an obvious fit. Around the same time, I was complimented on my writing for the first time in my life by many people, and they encouraged me to continue. I want to research. I want to write. I want to contribute to something larger than myself and, hopefully, make an impact.
Days that once felt aimless are now filled with childlike excitement. I find myself laughing and feeling genuine joy while learning about the world around me.
I fully intend to reread the trilogy after finishing it, this time with a more detailed focus on the differences between the books and the films, just for fun. I also felt that a second reading would allow me to absorb the environments more deeply, especially after becoming more familiar with the map and the world.
Before this realization, I had been struggling to make time for reading. I began setting aside a simple 15 minutes each morning and re-framed the thought from “I should read” to “I get to read.” It worked immediately. The time no longer felt daunting and quickly became my favorite part of the morning. Sometimes I would “sneak” in an extra 10 minutes, joking that we wouldn’t tell the rule-maker in my head.
Another factor that helped was a second book I read in February, Philosophy for Polar Explorers, which is now tied as my favorite nonfiction book with Power of Now. I won’t say much about it, except that it helped me feel less alone, and I highly recommend it.
20260220
I finally finished The Fellowship of the Ring. I also happily managed to make reading a habit again. I’ll be writing more about it soon.
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The Fellowship of the Ring
I am about halfway through the book and wanted to note a few of my favorite parts before I start forgetting too much. So far, I've come across one of my favorite quotes from the movies:
Frodo: I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case, you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.
Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case, you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.
If I'm remembering correctly, this conversation happens before the Mines of Moria in the movie, but in the book, it takes place before Frodo even leaves the Shire. The quote also differs slightly:
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. And already, Frodo, our time is beginning to look black…”
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. And already, Frodo, our time is beginning to look black…”
The quote continues with more about the situation occurring in Middle-earth. They also have the conversation about pity being what stayed Bilbo’s hand, but it takes place in a separate part of their conversation.
In the same chapter, Frodo describes Gandalf after seeing him again after some time. He describes his face as “more lined with care and wisdom.” In an age where people desperately cling to looking youthful, it was so pleasant to read such a beautiful way of describing wrinkles.
Generally, I am so enchanted by the way Tolkien writes. I worried I wouldn’t enjoy the books after so many years of hearing that they are a hard read due to how “exhaustive” or “dry” his writing style is. What a relief to not only enjoy his writing but also find myself completely lost in it, feeling almost as though I myself am in a magical world!
Speaking of magic, getting to finally know who Tom Bombadil is was nothing short of magical. I can already tell I will enjoy a second or third read of this part of the books to absorb more from it. Fittingly for Tom’s character, I feel there is knowledge there beyond my comprehension.
Merry's character is so much richer in the books so far, and I can't wait to see more of him.
I've also finally met Strider, who is just as charming in the books. I’m very eager to continue reading and, hopefully, better articulate how truly special the writing feels.