I’ve been a fan of Tolkien’s writing since middle school. The first time I read The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings. I was instantly captured by worlds wrapped up in wizards, dragons, dwarves, magic, lore, and hobbits. The adventures, particularly of Bilbo Baggins, that were contained within the pages of Tolkiens works are still some of my favorites.

Mark Horne has written a beautiful biography on Tolkien’s life, love, and loss to show the reader how exactly there came to be a “hole in the ground, where there lived a hobbit.” I found some of the more interesting moments to be when I learned some new insight to Tolkien’s connection with writer C.S. Lewis, famous for his Narnia series and many other theological works. I the book Mark describes a relationship in which Tolkien helps to steer much of Lewis’ theology and ultimate points hum toward a relationship with Jesus. As a major fan of C.S. Lewis and his writing this fact was very interesting to me. As Lewis has helped shape much of my theology it seems i owe some thanks to his dear friend Tolkien.

Mark Horne’s writing is very engaging. I’m normally not a big biography reader but this work held me tight with every word. His comparisons in the latter chapters, revealing how J.K. Rowling has pulled much from Tolkien’s work for her famous Harry Potter series was also quite interesting and aptly timed with the recent release of the final movie installment of “The Deathly Hallows”.

Publisher’s Description

Christian Encounters, a series of biographies from Thomas Nelson Publishers, highlights important lives from all ages and areas of the Church. Some are familiar faces. Others are unexpected guests. But all, through their relationships, struggles, prayers, and desires, uniquely illuminate our shared experience.

J.R.R. Tolkien famously penned The Hobbit and the 3-volume novel The Lord of the Rings. Known as “the father of modern fantasy literature,” his writings have inspired many other works of fantasy and have had a lasting effect on the entire genre. In this Christian Encounters biography, learn how Tolkien’s faith was an intrinsic element of his creative imagination, one that played out in the pages of his writings and his life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This is a Blueberry Latté. I have to tell you now that a fan of both blueberries and of lattés. I’m a big fan of them on their own. Alone. Separated. When I heard my dear friend Brad talking about the above pictured Blueberry Latté from a quaint and beautiful coffeehouse in downtown Lynchburg, called The White Hart, that reminds me more of an English pub than a coffeehouse - I was intrigued. I find I must also mention that I have never been in an English pub. I may have been to England once, just passing through when I was a little one not much taller than the average mans knee cap, but I imagine if I had been to one it would look like this. Over course this place has a beautiful fireplace and shelves of books that line just about every wall. I feel as though I’m almost unworthy to be in the room as so many around me are working tirelessly through heavy volumes of pages and ink or engaged in a deep conversation and quite possibly even an out-loud-group-book-reading of C.S. Lewis’ classics. Everything I’ve written here so far… is true. I’ve sprouted wings and flown away… ok that was a lie. Maybe.

Back to the Blueberry Latté. It’s great. I never thought it would be. I was intrigued, but skeptical. I don’t like “fruity” coffee drinks. The only one I’ve ever loved is the Valencia Mocha from the large corporate chain we all know and love as Starbucks. I feel slightly justified spouting off things like “corporate chain” in a place like this. It makes me feel stripped down to my bare bones yet fully alive.

This is how a coffeehouse should be. This is where I will read tonight. This is wear I will conquer pages of ink. I will embrace them and they will for a few hours become one with my heart and soul. I will dive deep into the thoughts of another and hope to glean anything from them. Maybe some truth. Maybe some memories. Some laughter, some tears, or some moments when I’m reminded most of myself for better or for worse. Books can do that. They draw you in.

I may never drift from places like this. In all truth they are my favorite places. People here are honest with one another. They are open. They are real. I can dive deep at my own pace. I can worship with my nice little warm cup and my pages.

I’ve often thought how I’d like to own a place like this. Then I wonder if I did… would it lose it’s wonder? Would I become a slave to the thing I love in a way that I would not desire to be?

I don’t know. I do know that I love this place. I love how it makes me feel, how it makes me think. I love how it makes me write. I’ve not told many, but the facts may as well come… I’d love to be a writer. I feel my skills in the area lack a bit and my subject matter normally only runs for a few lines before falling flat. I need discussion. I need something or someone to keep the conversation moving and going. Then in the same breath… I don’t want conversation. I’m comfortable with my own thoughts in my own head that I can selfishly keep from the world. I fear this is my sarx or “flesh” that the apostle Paul speaks of. I believe that any and everything creative is from God. To hide or stifle that creativity is a sin. Therefore I bear it all in the open. Thank you for following this far. I now must dive deep into these pages. It’s why I came after all.

When you’ve come to the end of your cup…

…..what do you find?