Happy National Tolkien Reading Day!

A fantasy book opened with a waterfall pouring off the pages, asking What's your favorite fantasty story?

If you know one thing about me, you should know that I am a Tolkien fan. The Lord of the Rings is my favorite book. Yes, I have sat in the theater with a group of friends and marathon watched all three extended versions of the movies in a single day. Yes, I have my children's names tattooed in Elvish on my body. I even own the LOTR Barbies. My craft room (sometimes writing space) is affectionately known in my house as the Hobbit Hole. And once a year, my kids and I have a Hobbit Day.

We sit down and watch all the movies (yes, the extended ones!) and we eat like hobbits. Which means I spent the day before food prepping so I don't miss all the movies cooking :P

Tolkien was my gateway drug to fiction. It gave me an epic adventure. It gave me heroic men and women on a grand quest. It also gave me a gardener who really just wanted to go back home. (Sam is, always has been, and always will be my favorite!) And a character who learned that when you leave home, it's never the same when you go back.

Lord of the Rings taught me that sometimes great people make mistakes, but they can redeem themselves (thank you, Boromir). It taught me that true companionship can get you through the darkest nights, that friendship is worth more than gold, and that a single person can make a difference.

It's what inspired me to write.

In honor of National Tolkien Reading Day, go out and grab The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, or your favorite fantasy book, and start reading!

What is your favorite fantasy book, series, or serial?

Keep exploring those fantasy worlds, my friends!

Chris Bannor

Fictional World Explorer