The Tolkien Tag

This tag was created by booktuber Andrea Heckler. I discovered it though The Book Nut. I tag anyone who loves Tolkien and wants to join in!

1. How did your Middle Earth journey begin?
I actually hadn’t read any of Tolkien’s books until the first movie came out. We were watching it as a family and I basically read a magazine the whole time, because the Orcs scared me and I didn’t like seeing blood in movies. But then! I marathoned the first and second movies, saw the third in theaters, and read the entire series within about a week. I was hooked! I have had annual LOTR viewings and rereads since 🙂

2. What is your favorite Middle Earth book?
The Return of the King is my favorite, for sure. I just love how the story comes together at the journey’s end. And I really enjoyed the appendices after the book, too, which give so much more detail and information on the people in Middle Earth.

3. What is your favorite movie?
Again, I have to say the Return of the King. It was a masterpiece! And those battle scenes are stellar. There are so many inspirational moments in that movie and I get so! pumped! every time I watch it.

4. Movies or books?
I have to say…both. I would choose the books, because they are so much more detailed and give you a much larger scope of Middle Earth (Tom Bombadil, anyone?). But, I also wouldn’t give up seeing the scenes come to life, because the movies are done so well! The cinematography, casting, music, and directing are outstanding and definitely deserving of all those Oscars. I prefer to read my Tolkien and watch it.

5. Who are your favorite characters?
Ok, first reaction? Definitely Brego, the amazing, loyal warhorse that Aragorn rides to battle. And Shadowfax. And Bill the Pony. All the horses, really! But I guess if we are talking about people, I would have to say Aragorn. He is so noble and courageous, and I loved him as Strider, when he was all cool and aloof. I also love Pippin, Faramir, Eowyn, Elrond, and Treebeard.

6. What Middle Earth race would you be?
I might be a hobbit, to be honest. I like to be home, I like to eat, and I would love to just chill in the Shire with the gang and some Pipe-weed. Ha! However, I also think I could definitively be a shield-maiden of Rohan, which I guess would just make me human. But hey, I will swing a sword from horseback any day. I’d love to be an Elf, but I am not nearly tall or graceful enough.

7. Best actor/character casting match?
Andy Serkis as Gollum/Smeagol was a genius. I still try to master his voice. You know, for fun. I loved Viggo Mortenson as Aragorn, and I love that he did all of his own stunts/horseback riding in the movie. That’s legit! Christopher Lee as Sauruman was brilliant. I was also very impressed with Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Hugo Weaving as Elrond, and Bernard Hill as King Theoden. The casting was honestly spot-on in this series.

8. What is your favorite place in Middle Earth?
Rohan, hands down! A beautiful, green, hillside castle filled with badass people who love horses. That is the place for me. Hobbiton would be my relaxing vacation getaway.

9. What is your favorite quote from the books or movies?
I live for Sam’s speech to Frodo in The Two Towers, when the Nazgul are attacking Osgiliath. It is beautifully inspirational and fills me with such emotion. It is by far my favorite movie quote. That and everything Merry and Pippin say! Oh and of course, “What’s taters, precious?!” The whole movie series, if I’m being honest. All of the writing in the books is wonderful, as well! 🙂