I've been reading The Lord of the Rings to my kids before they go to bed. We're in the second book, and have finally "taken the hobbits to Isengard," which means that my reading has, for the last few nights, been constantly interrupted by this song. Also, my daughter has been cheering for Sauron. Thanks ever so much for that, Dave Kellett, I know it's completely your fault. Ha.

They're enjoying it hugely, and so am I. I first found the books in third grade, and re-read them to death all through my school years. I even liked the Silmarillion, although I don't remember much about it, now. (I liked the King James Bible and Shakespeare, too. I was like that. I never learned to speak Elvish, though.) It's funny, the kids are so steeped in nerd culture that they've already heard tons of jokes and references to the books, so they're delighted to listen to the real thing. It's obvious that the big buildup has increased their enjoyment of the story. (Again, thanks in no small part to Dave Kellett's Sheldon comic, which they read constantly.)

Having someone to read these books out loud to is so much fun. I love doing the voices. When I was reading the bits with the orcs dragging Merry and Pippin around, the kids just about died laughing, I kept reading them with a Jäger accent. I couldn't help it. It was so perfect...I guess the Jägers really are cute rainbow-colored orcs. Oh, dear.