Reading LOTR With Friends | This June!
Starting a small community to journey through LOTR
It’s no secret that The Lord of the Rings has easily become my favorite story! I’ve read through it three times now over the last six years, each each time being unique and fresh in its own way. The experience changes partly because of the massive terrain that Tolkien covers with the story. Every reread makes me feel like an archaeologist uncovering new treasures buried deep within the strata of his myth. It also seems to take new shape because of the distinct and changing seasons I find myself in. It only makes sense that as I change as a person, the things I read and take in tend to land with different weight and sharpness.
The conclusion? Every reread has only brought out more beauty, truth and wonder.
Ever since I finished the last read, I’ve been planning to dive back into it, this time with a pen and highlighter in hand. I want to be intentional in noticing things I’ve never noticed and slowly lingering over things that pierce my heart and stop me in my tracks. But I’ve recently thought of another wrinkle to this. I think it would double my joy and wonder if I did this next read through with a small community of friends...
The Idea: A Fellowship
What I am not imagining is a rigid book club with deadlines and pressure to keep pace. More like a slow journey through Middle-earth for people who have busy lives and yet still want to make time to enjoy a good story. Some months we may move quickly, some slowly. The point isn’t speed, but attentiveness to the things that stand out, hit home, and make you think. And the beauty wouldn’t be in just reading these things alone, but in sharing what we are seeing and discovering together, adding to the richness of the whole journey.
To keep the community small and focused, I’m asking those who want to join to become a paid subscriber ($5 / month or $50 / year) — this group will include a monthly reflection/article on what I am reading and finding meaningful and a subscriber chat where we can share passages, discoveries, questions, resources and moments of wonder as we journey through the story together. The goal isn’t to analyze every word, but to connect what we are reading to this world and our lives as we follow the adventure.
If this sounds like something you would enjoy, I’d love to have you join us. Let me know below by becoming a paid subscriber, and we’ll kick things off together in June.
PS, here is the LOTR edition I will be using to read-through. This set is my favorite.
I have been thinking about doing another read. It will be my 23rd since the late 1970s. I am looking forward to this.
I just finished the story for my umpteenth reading since 1972ish. Yesterday as the parties were separating for the last time and the 3 rings were described it occurred to me to wonder why rings? Why not amulets or bracelet charms, etc. What was the unique significance in them being rings? Aside from Lord of the Bracelets sounding much less impressive. I also thought this must have been discussed already somewhere and I dont know the lore. I hope to participate in the read through. Thank you.