The First Novel That Moved Me - The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.

And so begins The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, one of the world's greatest children books, and the spark that reignited reader's love for fantasy. Its author, J.R.R. Tolkien, is the mitochondrial Eve, the origin from which all of high fantasy has spawned since.¹ The Hobbit, which was first published in the fall of 1937, has only gone out of print once--and that was on account of the paper shortage of World War II!

This is the book that forever changed me, creating a lifelong interest in literature and storytelling.

At the age of eight I was given The Hobbit by my mother's then fiancé. As it stands, one of my only elementary school memories is reading this on the bus ride to and from Wellington Street Public School.

The Hobbit was not only my introduction to enthralling literature, it was also the basis for my lifelong love of fantasy. Sure, I had read other children's books, and yes a great deal of them contained elements of fantasy, but none were nearly as compelling or detailed. The Hobbit, on the other hand, was very much alive, with fleshed out characters that practically jumped from the page to my psyche.

My current work in progress would not be a work of fantasy were it not for The Hobbit, and Tolkien in general. Hell, I wouldn't be writing today were it not for the fine example that Tolkien set.

Simply put, The Hobbit remains a timeless, well crafted story that everyone should read.

This blogfests ends at midnight tonight, so make sure to post your entry soon! While you're at it, take some time to peruse everyone else's as well. And to all of the entrants, thanks again for indulging me.

¹ Yes, I occasionally end sentences with prepositions. I regret nothing.

Obama: Yes We Can! (Write a Children's Book)

Obama has another book coming out, currently ranked #21 over at Amazon. No small feat, considering this is just from pre-orders of a book that is still months away from publication. For his third book, Obama has tried his hand at a children's story entitled Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters.

The product description reads:

In this tender, beautiful letter to his daughters, President Barack Obama has written a moving tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans and the ideals that have shaped our nation. From the artistry of Georgia O'Keeffe, to the courage of Jackie Robinson, to the patriotism of George Washington, President Obama sees the traits of these heroes within his own children, and within all of America's children.

Breathtaking, evocative illustrations by award-winning artist Loren Long at once capture the personalities and achievements of these great Americans and the innocence and promise of childhood.

This beautiful book celebrates the characteristics that unite all Americans, from our nation's founders to generations to come. It is about the potential within each of us to pursue our dreams and forge our own paths. It is a treasure to cherish with your family forever.

 

I'm neither American, patriotic, nor a parent, but I'm sure at least some of my readers are!

The book is set for release November 16th, 2010.