The Hobbit *A Special Post*

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, or 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. 

In celebration of The Hobbit movie being released tonight at midnight (ok, technically tomorrow morning), I decided to create a post featuring The Hobbit. Yes, I am going to see the movie, and yes... I have my tickets for the midnight showing in 3D! **I am so excited!!!**

If you are one of the few who have not read The Hobbit, it is a must read classic. I know that not everyone who reads it, likes it, but I feel that it is a must read anyway. There are just certain classics that everyone needs to read.

(Yes, I have the leatherbound copy!)

Here is J.R.R. Tolkien's own description for the original edition:

If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of this humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) - if you do not already know all about these things - much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period.

For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon, Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred comfort to excitement. But this account, based on his personal memories, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rate. They do not like noise.

"Go back?" he thought. "No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!" So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.