A Retry

I started The Hobbit.  It's one I've always meant to read, something I've always felt I should read.  It's a "have to" for any serious literary person.  I even tried once before...in high school...but couldn't get past the first few pages.  So I'm buckling down for a retry.  And honestly, I'm not sure why I waited this long!  It has incredible literary merit.

It's light humor is utterly charming.  The main character, the hobbit Bilbo, is rather preoccupied with his own needs in childish ways in a normally human kind of way. Yet in the midst of the fanciful characters (trolls, elves, goblins, dwarfs)--which are somewhat hard to keep straight--is a powerful allegory of good and evil; the characters are on a quest, fighting strikingly clear evil.  The outlandishness of the characters makes the poignant dichotomy possible.  I look forward to seeing who stumps whom.

On another note, we finished Because of Winn Dixie.  I must say that it is among my favorite young adult books.  I loved the message, the characterization, the humor, the quaintness, the innocent charm, the small personal victories.  I will keep young India Opal in my heart.