Meanwhile, in Rivendell . . .

So. One of the things I've realized about myself over the years is that I don't usually go so much for stories that have an overly extensive cast of characters.  I prefer authors or screenwriters to focus on a small group of people and really dig into them, rather than touching on a dozen or more "semi-protagonists". The Lord of the Rings would be one of the exceptions to that. ;) There are plenty of male characters in Tolkien's universe (and wonderful male characters they are, too); the female characters are slightly scarcer, at least in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings .  I believe Tolkien has come under fire for that, actually. But I don't mind it, because ⎼ I would argue ⎼ the women that Tolkien does write are just as three-dimensional and complex and integral to the plot as the men with whom he populates Middle-Earth.  And in this essay I will prove it. ;-P I can't touch on every single secondary character who's mentione...

Hamlette's SEVENTH annual Tolkien Blog Party is starting today , and I am, as always, Muchly Happy.   This year, Hamlette's tag questions are in 'would you rather' form.  Here are my answers! Would you rather . . .  1. ...join Thorin's Company or the Fellowship? The Fellowship, because those dwarves can start gettin' on my nerves .  I'm also just more On Board, in general, with the Fellowship's quest than the Company's. I mean I still love the dwarves.  They're just annoying sometimes. 2. ...ride Shadowfax or an eagle? Both would be fun, but I feel like an eagle would be more of a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I'll go with one of them.  3. ...travel through Moria or Mirkwood? Well, now. On the one hand, extended periods of total (or near-total) darkness. On the other, demon spiders.  Hmmmmmmm.   As long as I'm with a few other people and there is at least one light ...

I watched Frozen a few times earlier this year, and it really reinforced how much I like it and what a good movie I think it is. Specifically, what struck me again is how relatable Elsa is for me, and what a stellar treatment of anxiety the makers give us through her. I struggle with a very specific anxiety that's difficult ⎼ or well-nigh impossible ⎼ to talk about with others because it's of such a nature that I imagine others would recoil from me if they knew about it.  I'm not the only one who has grappled with this specific fear, but it's not one that's widely talked about and one of the tricks I think Satan uses to keep me afraid is making me feel like I am the only one.  (Thankfully, that doesn't tend to work that much anymore because, again, I know for a fact that I am not. ;)) And in Elsa, I see myself. Elsa is terrified ⎼ terrified ⎼ that one day she might hurt or even kill her loved ones.  She has this power that she didn't...

My splendoriferous friend Katie tagged me for this (thanks a bunch, Katie! ♥), and I was really excited to answer her questions. :D  Let's get right into it! What’s one genre you used to avoid, but now love?  Memoir, actually!  I never used to read any non-fiction at all other than devotional/religious books or assigned reading for school, but lately I've discovered that I can really enjoy real people relating their real stories.  I don't tend to like biography or autobiography as much, but something about the intimacy ⎼ the visceral intimacy, in some cases ⎼ of memoirs does appeal to me. Have you ever liked a movie adaptation better than the book? Which book? Why?   *snorts* Have I ever . . . ALL THE TIME.  I've actually watched adaptations before reading the original material more often than I've done the reverse.  Often I end up liking the book and the movie about equally, but for different reasons.  Currently, however...

As ever with these lists, it's difficult to narrow this down and these choices are the ones that are relevant at this precise moment in time; they are subject to change tomorrow.  (Or whenever I remember all the heroes I really ought to have put on this list and proceed, as a result, to facepalm with gusto and frustration.) #10. Tom Sherbourne { The Light Between Oceans } I've said it before and I'll say it again: Tom Sherbourne needs, to borrow a phrase, All The Hugs. He's scarred, but he doesn't want to dwell in his past trauma. He doesn't try to deny it, but he wants to move forward. He loves deeply and puts others before himself, and he's bound and determined to follow his conscience and do what's right.  And if he fails initially, he will make amends insofar as he can, even if it wrenches his own heart out. *clears throat* Also, his letter to Isabel near the end makes me cryyyyyyy. And this quote, especially, speaks to me so much:...