1) I've yet to be able to manage the books. I'm a huge reader but for some reason the LOR books defeat me. There are so many side stories and characters and the style of the writing seems to do me in. I feel bad about that. It was label the book of the millenium and I can't finish it. I did enjoy the movies and still love to watch them over and over. I keep trying the books from time to time to see if I ever manage them. :)

2) I love the books but The Hobbit has to be my fav

3) Hahaha. That first video was hilarious.

4) I love The Hobbit. My can't-get-through book is Grapes of Wrath. I know it's a classic. I know it's supposed to be amazing. But I just can't do it.

5) I too am a big LOTR fan, but I prefer to watch it marathon style. oh, Orlando!

6) I'm glad someone else struggles with classics, Mrs. Shoo. I think it is a combination of writing style of that time and with LOR the abundance of history that the author bounces into all the time. I just get lost and bored with the sidetrips. And the songs!! I listened to one and I swear one song took up 2-3 tracks. I thought I was going to start babbling like an idiot if that song didn't get over soon! One of these days I'll try again--just to see if I can manage it after seeing the movies and knowing more of the whole story to keep me from losing it again. :) I manage other series like Eragon and the Wheel of Time series much better. :)

7) Linda, once again I agree with you. I also could never get into Harry Potter. I can read up to 3 books a week but those fantasy books don't have any appeal to me.

8) The good thing is not letting it bother you. Occasionally I will try again to see if one of those books does it for me. Or someone will encourage me to get past the beginning and it will improve but as Merrick always says "life is too short and there are too many books". The great thing is we can all find something we enjoy and love. As long as there are books, what matters the type or way of enjoying them--they are books. :)

9) Of course, all LOTR fans have seen this, right?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=853493161797982...

10) Dannie, the fantasy books are actually more difficult to read than realistic fiction. (Fun fact from my reading class.)

11) LOTR, Eragon, Magyck, Dragonriders of Pern, any Piers Anthony and I am a happy woman.

Mrs. Shoo - I can't get through some of the classics either - you are def not alone

12) I usually do well with fantasy books but LOTR defeats me. I really need to try again one of these days but the movies are so much easier for me to enjoy. LOL