Whether you’re an avid reader who has made it through The Silmarillion or your familiarity with Tolkien’s bibliography is limited to a couple of memes, Tolkien Reading Day is the time to explore his epic high-fantasy novels and advance your reading into his other works. In our blog post, we’re offering a beginner’s reading guide to Tolkien and discussing the inspiration for his novels and his influence on popular culture.
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Since 2008, the Tolkien Society has been observing Tolkien Reading Day on March 25th. The date was chosen as it is the day of the destruction of the One Ring and the defeat of the Dark Lord Sauron in The Lord of the Rings.
The purpose of this day is to celebrate and promote the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, especially his most famous works such as The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. It is a day for fans of Tolkien's works to come together and read, discuss, and share their love of his stories and characters.
Fans usually celebrate the Reading Day by hosting reading sessions where they read their favorite passages from some of Tolkien’s most notable works such as Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Schools, universities, and libraries will usually organize seminars or lessons about Tolkien on the Reading Day to promote the author and his works.
So why not get together with fellow Tolkien fans and throw your own reading get-together? You can encourage your friends to bring any special editions or even memorabilia to show and discuss. Some other activities you can do are:
If you still don't have a Tolkien book in your library or you're looking for a specific title or edition to add to your collecton, here are some online stores and bookshops where you can find a wealth of books by Tolkien as well as publications that study his work:
J.R.R. Tolkien is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the fantasy genre and as the father of modern high fantasy. Tolkien's works have had a profound impact on literature and popular culture, and have inspired generations of readers and writers alike.
Tolkien also wrote a large number of essays, contributed to the Oxford English Dictionary, and had a particular talent for studying language. Among other languages (as many as 17), he could speak English, Old English, Latin, German, and Finnish at various levels. For his literary works, he created several languages, including Elvish, Dwarvish, and others spoken by the characters in his novels. He was a linguist who was interested in creating languages with a rich history and structure, which he then used to build the worlds and cultures of his stories.
The Lord of the Rings follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who embarks on a quest to destroy the One Ring, an evil artifact created by the dark lord Sauron. The trilogy consists of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. The Lord of the Rings has been adapted into numerous films, video games, and other media, and is considered a classic of modern literature.
J.R.R. Tolkien was inspired by a variety of sources, including a lifelong love of language, mythology, and folklore. Some of his major inspirations include:
Start with The Hobbit. It's a more accessible and light-hearted introduction to the world of Middle-earth.
Read The Lord of the Rings next. This is Tolkien's most famous and beloved work, and it continues the story from The Hobbit.
Consider reading The Silmarillion next, but be aware that it is quite dense and can be intimidating for some readers. This book details the mythology and history of Middle-earth.
Read some of Tolkien's shorter works, such as The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, Smith of Wootton Major, and Leaf by Niggle.
Look for annotated versions of Tolkien's works to help you better understand the world of Middle-earth and the myriad characters and creatures that inhabit it.
Finally, don't be intimidated by the length or complexity of Tolkien's novels. Approach them slowly and enjoy the journey through Middle-earth.
The Silmarillion is a collection of mythopoeic stories written by Tolkien. It was published posthumously in 1977 and edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien. The book is a prequel to Tolkien's more famous work, The Lord of the Rings, and describes the creation of the world of Arda, the history of the Elves and Men, and the war between the Valar (gods) and the evil Melkor.
It also contains stories of heroic deeds, such as those of Beren and Luthien, and the epic quest to recover the Silmarils, three magical jewels created by the Elven craftsman Feanor. Through the tales in The Silmarillion, Tolkien created a rich tapestry of mythology and history that reflects his love of language, history, and storytelling.
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