National Tolkien Reading Day!

On March 25th we celebrate one of the greatest fantasy writers of all time - J.R.R. Tolkien. His books have been a part of "geek" culture for decades and even sparked two major movie trilogies. Oh! Wait, let's not forget the animated versions of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

Started by The Tolkien Society in 2003, National Tolkien Reading Day coincides with the fall of The Lord of the Rings (a.k.a. Sauron who's actually not even the biggest bad to ever terrorize Middle Earth). The point is to encourage people to read Tolkien's works and share their favorite passages.

Just one of the many ways The Tolkien Society seeks to spread the love of all things Tolkien, March 25th has come to mean a little something to me. Tolkien's works have left a mark on me, inspired me, and encouraged me when I needed it most.

Incidentally, one of my favorite passages is from The Return of the King when Eowyn faces the Nazgul.

"Begone, foul dwimmerlaik, lord of carrion! Leave the dead in peace!"

A cold voice answered: "Come not between the Nazgul and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and they shriveled mind be left naked to the Lidless Eye."

A sword rang as it was drawn. "Do what you will; but I will hinder it if I may."

"Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!"

Then Merry heard of all sounds in that hour the strangest. It seemed that Dernhelm laughed, and the clear voice was like the ring of steel. "But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Eowyn I am, Eomund's daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him."

Of course, the passage continues with Eowyn's triumph over the dark rider of Sauron. These pages in my copy of Return are just a bit more worn than some of the others. It is in these pages that Eowyn shows her worth, and the worth of women as other than beautiful objects.

Looking for something Tolkien for your collection? Try one of these gems:

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