So for the first time since I finished Year 12 in 2002 I have started reading a novel. And it's not even being assessed by my English teacher this time!

I decided to do this for 2 reasons.

1. Ellisa (my fiancee) really loves this book (The Hobbit) and the follow up series The Lord of the Rings (LOTR). So I thought I'd endeavor to understand it more.

2. I mainly read for work not pleasure. That is I read books about Youth Ministry or about Christian Theology or the Christian life. Sure I enjoy these, but they are always mind bending and hard work to read. I thought I'd give a novel a try to try and get some of the joy of just reading for the sake of it back.

Wish me luck as I venture with Bilbo and his dwarves and Gandalf and an un-hobbit like adventure!