Challenge might not be the best word for this, but the only one I can come up with at the moment. Anyway...
The Goal: Read(reread, or finish) every book listed below, all related to Tolkien:
Middle Earth Books:
The Silmarillion: I've read this twice, once on my own, and once while listening to the Tolkien Professor podcast. The first time I read, I could hardly get through it, I almost gave up on it, and the valar made me so angry. The second time, the podcast was there and it was a lot easier, the third time, I figure I can read it like a normal novel.
The Children of Hurin: I have not read this one yet, and it was not one of my favorite stories in The SIlmarillion, but I did like Beleg from there, and maybe this one would be interesting.
The Hobbit: I've read this twice, once in the sixth grade, once just recently, The Tolkien Professor podcast is actually starting on this one soon as well, so I'll go along with that.
The Lord of the Rings: I've read through this once, and The Tolkien Professor is actually staring on this one after the Hobbit, so I'll follow along with that.
Unfinished Tales: I actually read this once before, my favorite being Tuor and his coming to Gondolin. I also liked Aldarion and Erendis and the history of Galadriel and Celeborn.
The History of Middle Earth Series and The History of the Hobbit:
The Book of Lost Tales pt. 1: I've read this once, but now I would like to go back and just read the stories, skipping over the notes at the end.
The Book of Lost Tales pt 2: I've rad this once as well, and again, I want to read it without flipping through all the notes and commentary. I particularly want to reread the Fall of Gondolin and the Tale of Eärendil.
The Lays of Beleriand: I started this, never finished it. According to the table of contents it mentions Eärendil and the Fall of Gondolin, though no where near finished poems, but I think it'll be interesting to read, I like Tolkien's poems.
The Shaping of Middle Earth: have not read this one, it seems interesting just looking at the contents, early versions of the Silmarillion, maps, but I can't be sure about this one yet.
The Lost Road and Other Writings: Again I haven't read this one, so I'm not sure about this one either.
The Return of the shadow: I actually started this one, but didn't get very far. I was interesting to note Tolkien did not where he wanted to go with the LOTR, and that Strider was at first a Hobbit named Trotter.
The Teason of Isengard: I haven't started this one. Though I do want to read about the early versions of the song about Eärendil.
The War of the Ring: Not much I can say about this one. From the Table of Contents it talks about Helm's Deep, which happens to be one of my favorite battles.
Sauron Defeated: Not only have I not read this one, I also don't own this one, or the rest of HoME series. So this info is take from Tolkien-Online.com. I seems to have an epilogue that I woul like to read, and it talks about Nùmenor.
Morgoth's Ring: Talks about how Tolkien developed The SIlmarillion stories after he wrote the LOTR. I actually hear this is the best book, so I hope its not disappointing.
The War of Jewels: This one aparently has an essay about Tolkien's languages, could be interesting if I decide to study them at some point.
The People's of Middle Earth: about the appendices to LOTR, seemed farily interesting to me.
HotH pt 1 Mr. Baggins: I started this one, seems interesting, particularly the name changes.
HotH pt 2 Return to Bag End: I haven't really looked at this one, but I take it that it will just continue where the first one left off.
Other Writings:
Tales from the Perilous Realm: contains Tolkien's essay On Fairy Stories and some of his shorter stories: Roverandom, Farmer Giles of Ham, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, Smith of Wootton Major, and Leaf by Niggel. I've read On Fairy Stories, some of it was confusing at first, it'll be interesting to go back and read. I also read Smith of Wootton Major and Leaf by Niggle for The Tolkien Professor, and Leaf by Niggle I actually liked reading and studying, Smith of Wootton Major was okay too.
The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun: Have the book, haven't read it, nor do I now much about it. I got it because it was Tolkien's poetry, versions of some myths and legends. I think I'll like it.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo: Translations by Tolkien, not his actual work, but I was reading another story that mentions Sir Gawain and so I wanted to get this.
The Monsters and the Critics: Don't own and haven't read this. 2 essays about Beowulf, I haven't read all of Beowulf, I do have it sitting on my bookshelf, though and I liked what I've read so far. it contains some other essays and such too.
The Road goes Ever On: I want this book(let), and I would love to just sit down read it and look at the pictures.
About Tolkien:
Jrr Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter: For learning a little more about Tolkien
Tolkien: Author of the Century by Shippey: Comparing the two books
Pictures by JRR Tolkien:
JRR Tolkien Artist and Illustrator:
The Letters of JRR Tolkien: He mentions some things, like Tom Bombadil, etc. in his letters and I would like to read the book.
The Annotated Hobbit: I'm currently reading this and its very interesting, I just love all the pictures.
The Atlas of Middle Earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad: I found this at the library and so will be reading it soon.
A Cheklist:
The Silmarillion
The Children of Húrin
The Hobbit
The Lord of the Rings
Unfinished Tales
Book of Lost Tales 1
Book of Lost Tales 2
The Lays of Beleriand
The Shaping of Middle-Earth
The Lost Road and Other Writings
The Return of the Shadow
The Treason of Isengard
The War of the Ring
Sauron Defeated
Morgoth's Ring
The War of the Jewels
The Peoples of Middle Earth
History of the Hobbit 1
History of the Hobbit 2
Tales from the Perilous Realm
The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Peal, and Sir Orfeo
The Monster and the Critics
The Road Goes Ever On
Jrr Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter
Tolkien: Author of the Century by Shippey
Pictures by JRR Tolkien
JRR Tolkien Artist and Ilustrator
The Letters of JRR Tolkien
The Annotated Hobbit
The Atlas of Middle Earth
Total: 31 minus the picture book and the Annotated Hobbit(which I'm reading and not starting over on) 29 of the 100 books I would like to read.
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sematary. (Follow-up questions, if any, may have been added by LiveJournal.)
