Tolkien ...
yes, yes, I know. For many of you Tokien was something you had to suffer through high school. But for me, it was a most sensual experience.

Let's wave those lines back to 1998. It's winter in Edinburgh. Mr Que and I have been married only a few short months. We spend the weekends hiding from the cold in cafes, probably right next to JK Rowling.

Over coffee, croissants and the paper, we were discussing the exciting news that Peter Jackson had been commissioned to produce a three movie, squillion pound budget extravaganza from the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

"You know, I've never read it," I said wistfully over my cappuccino. My Beloved dropped his paper, looking at me with an expression somwhere between mortified and piteous. Oddly, we had never had the, 'what's your position on LotR? Love or Loathe' conversation.

"I read The Hobbit as a kid. Loved it. I just grew up in a family where there weren't a lot of books about. I became a library card carrying bona fide girly swot as a result."

Without a word, my Beloved bade me abandon the table, paid the bill, and we sallied forth on a new Quest. To Waterstones! To my consternation, we spend a bloody fortune on a beautiful hardcover LotR set and The Sillmarillion, which we still have.

Now for the sensual bit. This was on Good Friday 1998. Once we got home I lay on the bed and started with The Sillmarillion. I spent the entire bank holiday weekend in bed, naked, warm, waited on hand and foot whilst I read and read and read. The sheer luxury of it all. The richness of the prose, the companionable silence in our grotty little bedsit, the glorious lovemaking. Ah, yes, the moment.

Easter Tuesday dawned and I was halfway through The Return of the King. Couldn't wait to get home from work to finish it.

It was a special time in my life. We conceived our firstborn child that weekend. And now, I am reading those same lavishly overwritten tomes to her.
(Que?, Thu 12 Jan 2012, 4:32, 9 replies)

The Silmarillion is my favourite. I'll have to reread the LotR books though, I think I was too young to appreciate them.
(Avnas dosh!, Thu 12 Jan 2012, 5:10, closed)

I like
( enoughblueskyforsailorstrousers, Thu 12 Jan 2012, 6:10, closed)

This is beautiful,
so have a click.
( .Yeti., Thu 12 Jan 2012, 8:17, closed)

I read a book in my pants, once.
And I was naked underneath them.
( Spleep Shit, or get off the internet., Thu 12 Jan 2012, 8:28, closed)

And I was having a wank.

( Spleep Shit, or get off the internet., Thu 12 Jan 2012, 8:35, closed)

And when you were caught, the Librarian threw you out!

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Thu 12 Jan 2012, 9:10, closed)

In a sensual, sexy, naked way, yes.

( Spleep Shit, or get off the internet., Thu 12 Jan 2012, 9:14, closed)

Sublime...

Wonderfully written.

A click for you and your beloved.
( Pooflake braces for an onslaught..., Thu 12 Jan 2012, 8:48, closed)

Now I'm no fan of eugenics
but people over 19 who read Tolkein should be sterilised or have their unfortunate progeny taken away from them and given to functioning adults.
( Dr. Shambolic je suis charlie, Thu 12 Jan 2012, 10:29, closed)