Top 10 Best "Tolkien" Books

The definitive collection of Tolkien's classic "fairie" tales, in the vein of The Hobbit, illustrated by Oscar winner Alan Lee Never before published in a single volume, Tolkien's four novellas (Farmer Giles of Ham, Leaf by Niggle, Smith of Wootton Major, and Roverandom) and one book of poems (The Adventures of Tom Bombadil) are gathered together for the first time, in a fully illustrated volume. This new, definitive collection of works -- which had appeared separately, in various formats, between 1949 and 1998 -- comes with a brand-new foreword and endmatter, and with a series of detailed pencil illustrations by Alan Lee, in the style of his other award-winning Tolkien work, most recently in The Children of Húrin. The book is the perfect opportunity for fans of Middle-earth to enjoy some of Tolkien's often overlooked yet most creative storytelling. With dragons and sand sorcerers, sea monsters and hobbits, knights and dwarves, this collection contains all the classic elements for Tolkien buffs of all ages.

The procession was several blocks long. Most of the angels flew a protective circle around the cars. I rode near Glory. She was quiet. She was calm. She was a comfort to me. I put my arm around her and she sighed peacefully. I whispered in her ear. 'The Lord promised me that these angels would look after you. They've done a great job so far. I have no reason to doubt they'll do a great job from now on. I love you. I wish I could ease the pain of your missing me.'

'What were her choices, Martin?' Mother joined us.

'What do you mean?' I asked.

'You have to realize that her pain is her choice. The only way for her to avoid this pain right now, would be for her to have loved you with less than her full heart. But she did love you with her full heart - you know she did. If people choose to love in life, when they lose those whom they love, they will have pain. The only other choice is to avoid love, but that is to choose to live in pain. Let her mourn. It's her tribute to you and to your love. She wants to do it. She needs to do it. Soon, her peace will overcome her pain.'

Mother's voice was so soothing for both me and Glory.