Book Review: Letters from Father Christmas by JRR Tolkien

Author: JRR Tolkien

Title: Letters from Father Christmas

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy

Format: ebook

Pages: 209

Published: February 15, 2012

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Every December an envelope bearing a stamp from the North Pole would arrive for J.R.R.Tolkien’s children. Inside would be a letter in strange spidery handwriting and a beautiful coloured drawing or some sketches. The letters were from Father Christmas.

They told wonderful tales of life at the North Pole: how all the reindeer got loose and scattered presents all over the place; how the accident-prone Polar Bear climbed the North Pole and fell through the roof of Father Christmas’s house into the dining-room; how he broke the Moon into four pieces and made the Man in it fall into the back garden; how there were wars with the troublesome horde of goblins who lived in the caves beneath the house!

Review:

This is just so wholesome. I wish it had been available near Xmas for me, but there was a long line for this little guy! It came precisely when it meant to, I guess. 

This is a compiled collection of Santa letters Tolkien wrote for his children over a span of many years. How freakin' adorable?

I honestly would love to purchase a physical version of this. Yes, the ebook was fine, but I do not think it did the drawings justice. They looked so cute and fun. Those kids were extremely blessed to have a dad do this for them. 

The stories were fun and creative. What else would you expect from the legend? 

The ending had me holding back tears. It was a lovely way to end the letters. I'm sure he was so upset that his kiddos were too old for the letters. You could sense it. 

I would read this again, but I really want the physical version. 

5 stars. 

Reading Challenges

-  Library Love #2

TMST: Favorite Authors

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

  

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I have sooo many different authors I adore. I'll just name a few just to save space and time!

Jane Austen

Kate Quinn

Tricia O'Malley

J.R.R. Tolkien

Lauren Willig

Edgar Allan Poe

Sandra Schwab

Haruki Murakami

Cecy Robson

Courtney Milan

Hannah Fielding

Book Review: The Return of the King

Author: JRR Tolkien

Title: The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (#3)
Genre: Fantasy, war, adventure, Classics
Pages: 466

First Published: October 20th, 1955
Where I Got It: my shelf (book magazine with the two other books)

"While the evil might of the Dark Lord Sauron swarms out to conquer all Middle-earth, Frodo and Sam struggle deep into Mordor, seat of Sauron’s power. To defeat the Dark Lord, the One Ring, ruler of all the accursed Rings of Power, must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. But the way is impossibly hard, and Frodo is weakening. Weighed down by the compulsion of the Ring, he begins finally to despair."


This is the third time or fourth time I've read this book. However, its been about three years since I've read this, so it was a nice refresher. I do recommend that you read the other two books before diving into this. If not you'll be rather stumped as to what is going on. 

As you all may or may not know, I simply am in love with the Lord of the Rings books and movies. The Return of the King is the big finale of the tale of the ring and those that set out to destroy it. There is so much going on, its sometimes hard to recall whats going on, but if you take your time with it you should be fine.

I simply love this book. It is my second out of the three, because it is the conclusion and ending. Though I am sad that the adventure is over, I am happy that JRR Tolkien left a lot of room for further tales that could happen. It's left open-ended in a way. The only thing I don't like about the ending is the conclusion of what happens to Frodo. I understand WHY he went and I understand the symbolism of it, but WHY? WHY? GAH! I wish he just stayed with his buddies. It breaks my heart EVERY SINGLE TIME! 

NOOOO FRODO! DON'T GO!

Oh well....can't win them all.

I can't say too much else about the rest of the book (just in case of those that have not read it or seen the movies). However, I do love the book more then the movie because things were more explained and each character got a few pages of being in the spotlight. Like Faramir and Eowyn. ^.^ I was sooooooo disappointed that they cut out the House of Healings scene in the movie. Gah. Yes, I have the un-directors cut, but still...they should have added it to the movie part too. Oh well....but....Eowyn you are a lucky bitch. hahaha. I also wish JRR Tolkien would have introduced Lothiriel instead of just mentioning her name for an instance. I wish he would have shared how Eomer and her had met. *sighs* Perhaps I'll write a fan-fiction for that. ^.^

In the end, this was my second favorite out of the three book saga. There is a lot of action, drama, fighting, love, romance, friendship, and a nice sense of hope. I would recommend reading the other two books before reading this. Or at least watch the movies. Of course I shall give this 5 stars. Such a great book and such a great world. It's so upsetting that I have to leave that land of Middle Earth. *sighs*

Favorite Character(s): Eomer, Faramir, Eowyn (redems herself in this), Frodo, Pippin, Merry, Legolas, and so much more.

Not-so Favorite Character(s): The orcs, Denethor, Sauron, Frodo (at the end, because he broke my little heart), and Elrond (don't know why...but his character just bugs me). 

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<3CaroleRae

Book Review: The Two Towers

Author: JRR Tolkien
Title: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2nd in series)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
Pages: 322
First Published: 1954
Where I Got It: My Shelf (box set)


"The Fellowship was scattered. Some were bracing hopelessly for war against the ancient evil of Sauron. Some were contending with the treachery of the wizard Saruman. Only Frodo and Sam were left to take the accursed Ring of Power to be destroyed in Mordor - the dark Kingdom where Sauron was supreme. Their guide was Gollum, deceitful and lust-filled, slave to the corruption of the Ring."


This is probably the millionth time I've read this and I pretty much know the story in and out, but while reading I'm still hanging on each and every word that JRR Tolkien wrote. The way that Mr. Tolkien writes makes it feel like you're reading it for the first time all over again. That's why I can continuously re-read  this trilogy and never bore of it. However, it's been a few years since I actually read this. The last time I read it was when I was 16 years-young, I guess.

This is my favorite movie, but my least favorite of the trilogy. You would think it would be my favorite, because it introduces a couple of my favorite characters and it introduces Rohan, but it's not. I don't really like  quickly things occurred and I feel like some of the chapters should have been saved for the next book or put at the ending in the first book. That's just my personal opinion. Also, there isn't a lot of songs or poetry like in the first and last book. Sometimes I felt that JRR Tolkien just threw this together as a last thought. I don't know, but I just felt like that at certain parts when I was reading.

Other than that, I have no complaints! I really love all the books for different reasons. I love how JRR Tolkien  strongly incorporates that idea of nature into the books, especially in The Two Towers. He gives nature a voice in Middle Earth and place. It's not just a setting or props, it's a character. The Ents embody that and literally give nature a voice (instead of figuratively). Since I'm sort of a big nature protector/lover, I highly appreciate this.

Also, I'm always astounded about the depth that JRR Tolkien goes into with each nation. Every area on the map of Middle Earth seems real! I feel like this really happened and all these places really existed. There's so much history and back-story, that when I start reading I feel like I'm reading a documentary. However, it's not boring, it keeps you entertained fascinated!

All-in-all, I still love this book. It's been a couple of years since I've read this, but I find my love for this book hasn't diminished or weakened. The Two Towers may not be my favorite out of the series, but I still love it. Out of five stars, I'm giving this one 4 stars. It would be 4.4 stars, but I don't give decimals. I recommend that everyone who loves to read should read this trilogy or attempt at it.  ^.^

*Favorite Character(s): Eomer, Faramir, and Pippin
*Not-so-Favorite Character (s): Grima Wormtongue

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<3CR

The Fellowship of the Ring Book Review

(It took me a little bit to finish this one.)

Author: Jrr Tolkien
Title: Lord of the Rings: Followship of the Ring (1st in series)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Pages: 398
First Published: 1954
Where I Got It: My shelf (box set)

"The dark, fearsome Ringwraiths were searching for a hobbit, Frodo Baggins knew there were seeking him and the Ring of Power he bore, the Ring of Power that would enable evil Sauron to destroy all that was good in Middle-earth. Now it is up to Frodo and his faithful servant, Sam, with a small band of companions, to carry the Ring to the one place it could be destroyed: Mount Doom, in the very center of Sauron's dark kingdom, Mordor."

Alright. The last time I read the book was when I was 14 years-young. It was a hard read for me back in the day. It is a little hard to read, to be honest, for those that have no clue whats going on and have never heard of the Lord of the Ring trilogy. However, there is a prologue which helps. Even I the prologue-hater, decided to give it a go. It helps a lot. 

   Its a great book! I simply love the tale and the characters and the world and everything that has anything to do with the book and movie. There is such deep meaning in the words. The world of middle-earth is composed of many different types of beings. Elves, dwarfs, hobbits, men, and so on. This story tells of a dark time in the world and how a band of different beings come together to see the destruction of the Ring that belongs to Sauron the king of evil (thats what I call him in my head). Its a beautiful tale of love, friendship, and trying to save all that's good in the world. The only thing I didn't like about it was Tom Bomabil's part (I don't know why I don't like Tom) and the Boromir's hair is brown instead of red like in the movie. Hahahaha. Oh well.

   The story isn't finished yet, this is a trilogy! There is The Two Towers and The Return of the King. I can't wait for the next one since it was my favorite movie...The Two Towers. I love them all. I recommend that everyone read Professor Tolkien's books. They are a classic. Out of five stars, I grant The Fellowship of the Ring 5*s. *****. Yayy!

<3