March 25th is Tolkien Reading Day and the theme for 2023 is travel and adventure. Why this date, you ask? Well, it is the date of the downfall of the Lord of the Rings (Sauron) and the fall of Barad-dûr. Many books bear the Tolkien mark of great adventures, and one of them is a current read which I feature today.
But first, a few quotes that bear the
Quotes With the Tolkien Mark of Great Adventures
“Not all those who wander are lost” –
“Don’t adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on on the story.”
“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”
“Farewell,” they cried, “Wherever you fare till your eyries receive you at the journey’s end!” That is the polite thing to say among eagles. “May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks,” answered Gandalf, who knew the correct reply.”
“Still round the corner there may wait a new road or a secret gate, and though I oft have passed them by, a day will come at last when I shall take the hidden paths that run west of the moon, east of the sun”
“Home Is Behind, The World Ahead”
The Books With the Tolkien Mark of Great Adventures
John Ronald’s Dragons
John Ronald’s Dragons: The Story of J. R. R. Tolkien by Caroline McAlister (Author) and Eliza Wheeler (Illustrator)
John Ronald’s Dragons, a picture book biography by Caroline McAlister and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler, introduces the beloved creator of Middle Earth and author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to a new generation of children who see magic in the world around them.
My Thoughts
This is a very cool and fascinating introduction to Tolkien. I loved how Caroline McAlister takes readers on Tolkien’s journey to his beloved dragons. Eliza Wheeler’s stunningly detailed illustrations take us to the world of Tolkien and his dragons instantly, and the details are sure to delight readers. Don’t miss the author and illustrator notes at the end of the book.
This book is like a vehicle, or a flying dragon, that takes us to far away worlds, and helps open discussions about not just all things Tolkien but also about the power of imagination, about the richness of language and creating new ones, as well as other topics.
Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl
Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl by Julie Kagawa
The first book in a globe-trotting middle-grade adventure, Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl combines high-tech wizardry, old-world legends and a little bit of magic from the internationally renowned best-selling author, Julie Kagawa. Based on the Society of Explorers and Adventurers lore that exist across the Walt Disney Parks, Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl is the first book in an all-new action-adventure series that brings S.E.A. into the twenty-first century through a blend of science and magic, and a focus on two young characters on an epic journey through time and place.
Book Beginnings and First Line Friday
BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY is hosted by Rose City Reader. What book are you happy about reading this week? Please share the opening sentence (or so) on BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY! Add the link to your blog or social media post and visit other blogs to see what others are reading.
Happy Friday and welcome to the FIRST LINE FRIDAY, hosted by Reading is My Superpower! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line.
Friday 56
THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice. To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up on Freda’s Voice and visit others in the linky.
Book Blogger Hop
This hop gives bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.
March 24th – 30th – Are books a must-have in your home? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)
Of course!
And Now, the End of This Post
Dear reader, have you read any of the listed books? If yes, your thoughts on them? Any similar reads you would love to recommend? As always, I look forward to your comments
I admit I don’t have a lot of physical books in my home. But, I have a lot on my ereader!
I loved the quotes you selected that capture the spirit of adventure and travel in Tolkien’s works, especially this quote: “Not all those who wander are lost”