My love for Tolkien started young, with my mom’s 1990s well-worn, illustrated Lord of the Rings omnibus. I remember being mesmerised by the sheer volume of the book, wondering what kind of tale could possibly fill so many pages. Little did I know I was in for a treat!
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve delved into Middle-earth, captivated by Tolkien’s rich world-building, unforgettable characters, and beautiful prose. I also have this very old 50th anniversary edition of The Hobbit. It is well read (perhaps a bit shabby) but it is one of my favourite books on my shelf.
The book on the bottom left is the Lord of the Rings Sketchbook released in 2005. I bought this book with some of my first ever pocket money, it was a big splurge for a kid but I never had any regrets. The thought and skill behind these sketches was mesmerising and I remember I would stare at the pages and analyse the pencil strokes, the shapes and try to replicate the drawings. It’s no wonder I chose to further my study at Art School when I had the chance. I think a huge piece of my love for art and reading stemmed from this series and the hard work that sat behind Lord of the Rings to bring the story to life for readers.
For a few months I’ve been on a mission to find other vintage editions of his works, and I have my eye on a certain 1960s omnibus which I’m finding rather elusive.
Do you have a favourite book that lives on in your mind? A tale you dive back into when you need comfort?