John Ronald Reuel TOLKIEN : The hobbit

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.

Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published in 1937. Now recognized as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent.

Really, do I need to write a review on The Hobbit ? Everybody knows the story, everybody has seen the film(s), millions of people have read the book. It's a timeless modern classic that everybody loves, including me. It's so easy to read and so engaging !

For example, you learn the origin of golf in there - not really what you expect of this peaceful practice. Then, you have this great character growth of Bilbo - a peaceful hobbit with a peaceful life who never thought he'd get caught up in a story like this and who learns how brave he can be. Then there is Smaug, that wonderfully dangerous dragon who likes nothing more than his riches, with that quote that I particularly enjoyed :

"His rage passes description - the sort of rage that is only seen when rich folk that have more than they can ejoy suddenly lose something that they have long had but have never before used or wanted."

Oh well, you don't really need me to say it, but if you haven't read it yet, do it !

Another great quote (different style) :

“Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not ; or that you feel good this morning ; or that it is a morning to be good on ?”