The Girdle of Melian

oast for Tolkien's birthday! On 3 January, it's time for the annual toast to The Professor . "All you need to do is stand, raise a glass of your choice of drink (not necessarily alcoholic), and say the words “The Professor” before taking a sip (or swig, if that’s more appropriate for your drink). Sit and enjoy the rest of your drink." "To celebrate Tolkien’s twelfthty-fifth (125th) birthday on 3 January 2017, the Tolkien Society invites all Tolkien fans to raise a toast to the Professor. Let everyone know what you’ll be drinking and where in the comments below , and share your pictures on social media using #TolkienBirthdayToast." I'll be having a sip of Talisker, and maybe some Swiss Highland Whisky! Back in November, I had a chance to visit the J. R. R. Tolkien in Staffordshire exhibition at its stop in Stafford: "Description: The exhibition focuses on the time Tolkien spent in Staffordshire during the First World War. Visitors w

ere it is: The Annual Books Read Statistics and Thoughts post. Here are the statistics for  2014 ,  2013 ,  2012 ,  2011  (and the  list ),  2010 ,  2009  (and the  list ). Books Read : 268 , including the following (roughly): 118 novels 45 board books (which involve ongoing rereads, including the board books from last year) 30 essays and non-fiction and comics 28 short stories 25 poems 15 YA/MG books 4 anthologies 1 play over 30 books in the Folio Society collected works of Beatrix Potter (counted as one in total count) Journal of Inklings Studies and Tolkien Society’s Amon Hen and Mallorn issues (also counted as one) 2015: 91 novels and MG/YA and essays, etc., 29 board books, and 12 poems 2014 : 111 novels and short stories (plus essay collections, comics, and poetry) 2013 : 188 novels and short stories (plus poetry) 2012 : 142 2011 : 124 2010 : 92 2009 : 131 2008 : 101 Note : Not counted: Beta reads, and thousands of words written and read for writers’