Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' by: Corey Olsen

   After buying my Lord of the Rings themed style t-shirts from a local clothing store. I proceeded to my usual favorite place which is the bookstore! I bought Prof. Corey Olsen's book, entitled, Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's, The Hobbit. If you don't know who Corey Olsen is. I have seen bits of his video in YouTube, and he's known for promoting the works of our beloved J.R.R. Tolkien. I also share his endeavor because as an official member of The Tolkien Society (U.K.). It is our joy to spread and promote the works of the late J.R.R. Tolkien. Aside from The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings, he has written a lot of books. Through the expertise, and dedication of his son, Sir Christopher Tolkien, all his works are now made available for all of us.

Anyway back to the book. I still haven't read The Hobbit, but I have seen the movie/s. I plan to read if after I have finished reading The Silmarillion. I bought this book as a supplement to The Hobbit. I am sure that I will also learn how to scholarly digest a book through this work of Prof. Olsen. He is also the founder of an online learning institution which is the Signum University which he founded in 2012.

From amazon.com, I got this description: "An admirable and thought provoking consideration of the underlying themes of The Hobbit. This is a fun, thoughtful, and insightful companion volume designed to bring a thorough and original new reading of this great work to a general audience."

So if you are interested in reading and buying this book. There are a lot of online book shops, and there's a local specialty bookstore wherein you can request for a special order of books not available locally. As always, Happy reading!

The Tolkien Society

     I can say I'm a certified bibliophile (a person who collects and love books). These days I've been so fascinated with Tolkien's works. I bought a few of his books, and they are a bit pricey, but its all worth-it. I'm very proud to say, and to share with you dear readers of this blog of mine, that I'm an official member of The Tolkien Society now. I was accepted last week. Why did I join? Because, I wanted to feel how it is to be a certified Tolkienist. One of our group member in a social page (local Tolkien group), commented why did I say I'm not a certified Tolkienist. Well, like what I have written in my English fan blog. As a former member of Jane Austen Society in Australia, I joined the group because I wanted to belong to an organization or group that shares similar interest with me, and I also what to belong to a group officially and the status quo of course.

In our local Tolkien social group page, someone asked me what are the perks of being a member. I pointed out to them the society's web page. I was hesitant before, if I should go on and sign-up as a member. I'm afraid that I will not exhaust all the benefits of being a member, since I am not from the UK. Anyway, the prestige of being a member is enough for me. The membership fee is, £30. So that is equivalent to 2000 plus Philippine Pesos.

What are the perks of being a member? You can choose the student, postal or online membership. I chose the online membership because I dread to wait for the stuffs that's going to be mailed to me. Since its from the UK, its gonna take a long, long time for it to reach me. You also get Amon Hen their bi-monthly bulletin, and Mallorn their annual journal. Plus, you get online access. For online membership category, you get instant access to the society's publication. But a postal membership is also good, because you get a hard copy. If I'm not that impatient, I would have chosen the postal category. There is a "For Members" only access page in their website. Aside from that you get to join a worldwide fellowship who shares the same passion for Tolkien, and you get to promote his works too! According to their website it has 1,000 members from around the globe, in over 30 different countries. Also, you get discounts in their affiliated institutes like Mythgard Institute that offers fantasy, and Tolkien studies/courses.

So if you are interested in joining too, here is their website just click on this. -> The Tolkien Society

To those who do not know who J.R.R. Tolkien is here is his short info. about him.

Prof. J.R.R. Tolkien C.B.E. was a renowned scholar of the English language best remembered for his works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, which have become two of the most well-known, best-loved and biggest-selling books of all time. He is also a poet, and philologist.

I really admire Tolkien, because he was a brilliant story-teller, and writer. He devised his own language called Sindarin, the language spoken by immortal elves in his stories about the Middle-Earth. He also created his own insignia. The famous Tolkien symbol. If you have not read his works and have only seen the movies, I suggest you grab a copy of his books. I'm sure you will also be a fan! 

For more info. just visit The Tolkien Society page.

(Update, I just got my membership ID card and welcome letter this 23rd of March.)