Welcome to Litsy!

At one point I was making an active effort to watch every Best Picture winner, so I managed 56/96 this week. Here are the top three favorites.
1. The Return of the King
2. Amadeus
3. Casablanca
A couple hidden gems
1. Marty
2. Gentleman‘s Agreement
A dud I won‘t finish: Cimarron (racist AF)

Moving up the TBW (RIP Gene Hackman😥)
1. Unforgiven
2. The French Connection

Survey link: https://shorturl.at/jp3WT

Thanks @dabbe for another great #TLT

#FellowshipOfTolkien

So, this is my reading of the new Italian translation by Ottavio Fatica. I'm happy l read it because it's part of the history of The Lord of the Rings in Italy - but never again.

I lothed it.

There's a story saying that Fatica claimed not to get what readers find in this book. Some say this is a urban legend because that interview cannot be found anywhere.

I don't need that interview. ⬇️

#FellowshipOfTolkien

And this is the true end. The last chapter.
Or is it?
Because, like Sam, there are more pages for us to write.

I can read this ending thousands of times and it will never be with dry eyes.
But always, I'm grateful for Tolkien's gift. For his invitation to do as the Hobbits: not just witness the story, but bring it back with us, let her empower us and guide our action.

This is a powerful book.

#FellowshipOfTolkien

When l read LotR the first time, so many years ago, l didn't like this more ending. What did l care of the Shire? The true story was the epic one. Sauron had been destroyed. Nothing else was important.

Today l think this is one of the most important chapters in the book.
This is the reason why this story has been told.

Maybe, it's an invitation to bring this story back with us too, into our life. And use it powerfully.

#FellowshipOfTolkien

This chapter really has that feeling of homecoming.
After all the epic happenings, the story has to end here, where it started. In a place of common sense.
Tolkien masterfully brings us home. The atmosphere changes. The language changes. There's a different feeling to everything.
It's home... But not quite.

Our hobbits have changed, but the Share had not stayed still either.

#FellowshipOfTolkien

Sotell me something: how it is that you perseive the grand story has ended, and yet, the story is not over?
After two very different ending, you feel that there's more and that what's to come is important.

It's not Tolkien's trick to add some more pages. It's integral to the story and her heart.
And you want to know all abou it.

#FellowshipOfTolkien

I seriously love the love story between Faramir and Eowyn. It's a story of courage, strength and fortitude. And yet it is also about quiet, almost hidden actions. Decisions taken in the deep places of the heart.

These people who face the darkness not in front of the Black Gate, but on the bastions of their homeland are as much heros as the one who fought with the sword.

#FellowshipOfTolkien

And so yes. In the meantime, l quietly managed to finish.The Lord of the Rings 😜

They say LotR has many ends. If you consider the distraction of the Ring the first, tragic end, then this is the second. The happy ending that everyone wants.
It's the eucatastrephe, so of course Tolkien gave it to us.

A friend of mine always wants to stop reading here, but l think LotR is the masterpiece it is because it doesn't end here.

#FellowshipOfTolkien

The way Tolkien describes Sam and Frodo's bond in this last leg of the journey, the most harrowing, makes me think he must have had a real-life example in mind. It's so realistic and involving that he can't have made it up.
I wonder if he saw this kind of comradery in the trenches of WWI. Soldiers developed a very peculiar, uncommon bond in those terrible circumstances. May Tolkien have had that in mind when he wrote this?

#FellowshipOfTolkien

The crossing of Golgoroth is terrible. Frodo and Sam are losing everything. Including hope, for Frodo. In the end, even Sam falters. And yet, somehow, Tolkien manages to keep hope alive.
The episode where Sam sees the star high above, between the clouds (could it be Eärendil?) is one of my very favourite passages in the book.

#FellowshipOfTolkien

This is one of my favourite chapters. Sam coming into his 'power'. I love it!
And my favourite moment in the chapter is when Sam sings and Frodo answers his song.
Something like this happens in the Silmarillion too, when Fingon is looking for Maedhros. Tolkien didn't know whether readers would ever read the Silmarillion, so I wonder whether he included this episode because he loved the concept so much. It is very touching.

I‘ve #reread the series about five times. I‘ve also watched the movies several times. I wonder why? 🤔#aboutabook

Love this book and the narrator!!! Just love the characters and the plot so much!! I rated this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

So. Many. Franchises.

In that spirit, here are my “favorites.” My score was 49 out of 100.

1. The Return of the King
2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
3. Iron Man

#TLT

Link to take the challenge: https://www.listchallenges.com/litsy-highest-grossing-films-of-the-2000s

It seems like I do a reread of Lord of the Rings every few years. I always find something new to savor.

I will also reread a series sometimes if there‘s a new book and it‘s been a while since I read the last one.

This year I‘m not planning to reread anything so I can work on my TBR, but you never know!

#sundayfunday

I got a new sword and scabbard. It was a gift from my husband. It is Éomer's sword Gúthwinë. I already have Éowyn's sword. They happen to be siblings. I like to pretend I am also a rider of Rohan. It is called fantasy after all. 😏

I won‘t add anything new to the discussion, so I won‘t try. It reminds me of the adventure novels popular w/ boys in the Victorian era, but fantasy. I want to thank Christopher Tolkien for taking his father to task about remembering the small details of his bedtime story so that we could all benefit from it. The original NPR broadcast was stellar & should get a listen, if you‘re so inclined. Know what Aragon‘s shirt is made of? Husband material.

It hurts a little to say goodbye to the Hobbits again. I really felt with Frodo and at the same time I was so proud of him. Loved the others, too. And there are even female characters! When I first read it six years ago, I didn't really pay attention to this. This is how we change as we grow older and this way we can find new things in old beloved books. ❤

This series is everything that is right with epic fantasy.

FULL REVIEW: https://abookandateacup.blogspot.com/2021/09/review-return-of-king.html

3.5✨ The face of Aragon and sleeping cats. This was a tough read for me because I watched the movie before I read it. There was so much more detail, battles, and history. It was a lot placed in one book. This isn‘t my favorite but I‘m glad I can say I finally read the Lord of the Rings series! Yay! #FellowshipofTolkien @Daisey @JazzFeathers

Starting to catch up! Hopefully, I will finish Return of the King by Friday, and then Anne of Green Gables or #Naturalitsy Ultra Processed People. @Andrew65

I‘m getting there! Just got to book 6 with Gandalf. 😸😻 #FellowshipofTolkien @Daisey @JazzFeathers

Let‘s try this again. 😅 #FellowshipofTolkien @Daisey @JazzFeathers

One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness, where they know they should actually go to sleep but even though they have read this story many times before somehow can‘t put the book down, bind them.

Reread done. Loved it as much as always.

#LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien

This may seem a transition chapter, yet - l believe - we find here the core of Tolkien's philosophy.
In the way the friends come together and slowly take stock of what happend and how they were change, with a hint that the change might bring good things.
And in the last debate, where Gandalf guides toward doing the right thing in the time assigned to us, as others will do in their time.
Loved it!

#LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien

I love this chapter!
After so many epic events, here we go back to a human/hobbit scale. The characters arc back to how they were at the beginning of the story.
It really feels like going home after the terror of the war.

The dialogue between Strider and Merry always makes me laugh 😂

I got sick on Christmas so I realized I forgot to post the best gift I got. I love rubber duckies. My family gets me. 🥰😍 #FellowshipofTolkien #FrodoBaggins #WinterGames #GingerbreadGems @Daisey @JazzFeathers

I have absolutely loved my midwinter lord of the rings reread! I‘m getting ready for a module on imagined medieval landscapes for my masters and I‘m hoping to submit an abstract to a conference about the Lord of the rings so I had to spend Christmas rereading it all 🥰

#wintergames #snowangels

#LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien

This is one of those chapters you think, why does it have to go this way? It could go differently. And yet, this is at the core of Tolkien's majore themes: when we let despair get hold of us, it may do worse that any of our enemies.

That moment Gandalf hesitates on the gate, knowing that he has to choose and whatever choice he will make will be the end of someone... It just wrecked me.

#LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien

I mean. How is it l didn't remember how packed full of... Everything this chapter is?
I always remember Theoden's death, that always, always gets me. And if course l remember Eowyn's reveal, which should be every woman's battlecry (in my opinion), but somehow l didn't remember the battle, the Denethor's tragedy, Eomer's rage and then hope, the release of Aragorn's arrival.
It's just incredible.

I loved this reread with Andy Serkis as the narrator 🩶🗡
#FellowshipOfTolkien #LOTRChapterADay
@Daisey @JazzFeathers

Catching up and possibly reading ahead in the Appendices tonight. I read some more carefully than others, and one of those is “The House of Eorl.” I always find the history of the Rohirrim especially fascinating, including the story of Felarof, the ancestor of Shadowfax.

#LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien

I had a difficult time getting going with this for some reason. But I joined #LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien and I made considerably better progress. The narrator, Rob Inglis, is able to create a distinction between all the different characters, a tough enough job when there‘s a cast of thousands, but he sings every song.

1 Oct-20 Nov 23 (audiobook)
I have loved sharing the LOTR trilogy with Trix and do think that given the length the audiobook worked really well for us. Andy Serkis is fantastic although I must admit I can‘t read or listen to the text now without imagining Peter Jackson‘s characters and settings. We are both looking forward to watching the third film as soon as the new TV arrives.
Such a great trilogy and a lovely, bittersweet ending.

Ending my day with the pets and a few pages of the Appendices at the end of The Lord of the Rings. This information can definitely be overwhelming if it‘s a first time read, but it makes me want to dive into The Silmarillion again. The depth of the history gets a little easier with each read and continues to fascinate me.

#LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien

I finished the final chapter of Return of the King last night and loved this story as much as ever. The friendship between Sam and Frodo as well as Merry and Pippin is amazing. I also appreciate what Tolkien has to say about war and the consequences afterwards more each time I read it.

#LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien

😂😂 I couldn‘t resist…

#LOTRchapteraday #FellowshipofTolkien

I think gloaming is a lovely word for twilight or dusk, but it‘s not at all I word I hear or use.

#WeirdWords #WeirdWordWednesday #LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien

“I have been too deeply hurt, Sam. I tried to save the Shire, and it has been saved, but not for me. It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them.”

😭 The beauty of the writing and the emotion in this last chapter put a lump in my throat. Sam and Frodo are my favorites, and their goodbye is both beautiful and heartbreaking. ⤵️

“I will not have him slain. It is useless to meet revenge with revenge: it will heal nothing.”

I put off reading The Scouring of the Shire until today, because it always makes me so angry—the petty, mean injustice of what has been done to the Shire. But this time I got caught up in the setting-right of those injustices, and it felt empowering. The way the four hobbits rouse (almost) everyone to stand up to the “ruffians,”paired with Frodo‘s ⤵️

Finished this ahead of schedule last week. Soooo good. I‘m not sure I‘d ever read the ending shire chapters. Excited to continue on the #fellowshipoftolkien journey as we will now be reading stuff I‘ve NEVER read!

Sunday morning book and breakfast with Tolkien!

I read Book 6 Chapter 7 “Homeward Bound” with breakfast this morning. After several reads, this chapter actually makes me a bit anxious as I just want them to keep moving and get to the Shire. At the same time, I love their visit to Bree and Butterbur‘s reaction to Strider as king.

#LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien #BookAndBreakfast #BreakfastWithTolkien

#LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien

Nobody moves! This is one of my favourite chapters!

First off: Rohirrim! I won't say more!

Then l love the way the 'other' is integrated in the story. The way the Rohirrim shows acceptance even of what they don't understand is one of the things l most love about them.

And after the desperation of the siege of Gondor, the soaring hope in this chapter is something almost aching.
Beautiful.

#LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien

Sorry chba dense, emotional chapter. I was sucked right in
Denethor's battle for his sanity and the desperation of what appears to be reality is perfectly mirror by the fighting city, falling piece by piece, without - so it seams - hope of help.
It gave me the chills. So absorbing. So outstandingly good.

#LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien

Noire is helping me catching up 😏

I‘ve only managed to read a few pages each day this week, so I‘m starting Chapter 3 “Mount Doom” with supper tonight and planning to catch up this weekend. This is a tough section as Sam and Frodo struggle on their journey, but it‘s also so descriptive.

#ReadAndEat #FellowshipOfTolkien #LotRChapterADay

…to Sam‘s final and complete satisfaction and joy, a minstrel of Gondor stood forth, and knelt, and begged leave to sing. And behold! he said:

“…now listen to my lay. For I will sing to you of Frodo of the Nine Fingers and the Ring of Doom.”

And when Sam heard that he laughed aloud for sheer delight, and he stood up and cried: “O great glory and splendour! And all my wishes have come true!”

#LOTRchapteraday #FellowshipofTolkien

“Is everything sad going to come untrue? What‘s happened to the world?”
“A great Shadow has departed,” said Gandalf, and then he laughed, and the sound was like music, or like water in a parched land; and as he listened the thought came to Sam that he had not heard laughter, the pure sound of merriment, for days upon days without count. It fell upon his ears like the echo of all the joys he had ever known.

#LOTRchapteraday #FellowshipofTolkien

There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.

#LOTRchapteraday
#FellowshipofTolkien

ghyll: a deep ravine; especially a wooded one (noun)

I‘ve always noticed a few unfamiliar words in my Tolkien reading, but I‘ve generally figured out the gist and just kept reading. This is the first LotR read where I‘ve taken quite a bit more time to consider and look up words. So it coordinates perfectly with sharing weird words.

#WeirdWordWednesday #WeirdWords #LotRChapterADay #FellowshipOfTolkien