5 tips for Your LOTR Read-Through

let's make it less daunting, shall we?

This September, I’m hosting my 3rd annual read through of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. 

Whether you’re joining to read LOTR with me this September for the first time or this is a return visit to Middle-earth, the idea of picking up this beast of a book right now can feel daunting. 

We’re all busy. Life is demanding. We have jobs and school and sinks full of dishes and bills and family and community to show up for. The idea of taking time to sit with a story this big can feel like just another thing being demanded of us—even when it’s something we really want to do. 

But what if reading Lord of the Rings with me this year wasn’t another thing you had to do but, rather, a gift of reprieve you give yourself in the thick of a busy season? 

Hobbiton, Bag End sketch by John Howe

Recently, a friend sent me a DM about joining my 2023 read through of The Lord of the Rings. They asked, “What tips do you have to stay consistent and get through it?”

Below you’ll find how I answered (expanded from the original DM I sent). We don’t officially start our read-through until September 22nd, but Many Meetings is here to be your guide to set you up for success on your reading adventure. Let’s get to it.

Five tips to help with your 2023 Lord of the Rings Read-through:

1. Choose the reading style that works for YOU.

Whether that’s reading a physical book, e-reader, listening to an audiobook, or taking turns reading aloud with a family member/or close friend—go with what fits in your current lifestyle. It all counts!

2. Take the book with you everywhere.

Taking the book (or audio/e-reader version) with you wherever you go increases your chances of getting through pages of it during the “in-between” times. Riding in the car, waiting on an appointment, during a lunch break, waiting to pick up the kids from school, etc. Basically, the times you’d find yourself just casually scrolling your phone, try picking up the book instead! 

Pro Tip: buy cheap paperback versions (sometimes I find them secondhand for around $6-12) so you can bring them without having to worry if they get creased or spilled on. I have my luxurious, illustrated, hardback editions for cozy “at home” reading. I also have my worn out paperbacks that get tossed on the floorboard of our minivan. 

All that to say: the more accessible you make the book for you, the more likely it is that you’ll get through them. 

3. Set a gentle reading pace that works for YOU.

Are you a morning or evening reader? Do you comprehend better in large chunks read once or twice a week or does it work to read small portions here and there throughout the day? There’s no one right way to do it. 

Just remember: there’s no schedule or deadline to finish the read-through. Every year, people message me to say, “Breanne, I’m so sorry, I haven’t been able to keep up. I’m way behind!” And my response is always the same, “There is no falling behind! Don’t apologize!”

This is supposed to be fun. No one is checking your homework.  Read when you can, where you can and come join the community conversations from wherever you’re at in the books. You’re always welcome.

4. Make Middle-earth Mondays happen

This substack is where I’ll be posting weekly check-ins (aka Middle-earth Mondays!) for you to be encouraged to keep going, ask questions and share your own thoughts with others reading alongside you. 

While the LOTR read-through will be free, the Middle-earth Monday check-ins will be for paid subscribers who will also be getting resources for deep dives and private discussions. If you want access to that, consider becoming a paid subscriber. 

I’ll be popping up to talk about it on Instagram and TikTok too so come to weekly “check-ins” as often as you can. Just knowing the more you read, the more you’ll have to contribute to the conversation can give you motivation to keep going. 

The best part of this read-through will be getting to do it together. This Substack was created to be the place where that can happen.

5. Don’t read alone!

Whether online or in person, gather your own personal fellowship to walk through these pages together. Text a friend after reading this post to propose a tiny Tolkien book club to share in together. Read a few paragraphs to your kids before bed at night. Hang out in the comment sections of posts and tell people you’re doing my read-through this year. Much like a mug of ale at the Green Dragon, this story is richer when enjoyed with others.

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Why read The Lord of the Rings now? Because my heart needs a beautiful story about small good defeating seemingly impossible evil and maybe yours does too. Because wholesome escapism calls us to lift our eyes to One writing all stories into The Best Story. Because as much as we'd love to claim the nobility and grandeur of the elves, we're all just Hobbits at heart who want a simple life with good food, community and a safe place to call home. 

Can’t wait to meet you in Middle-earth this September 22nd!

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Thanks for reading this free post from Many Meetings. I’m honored to have you here and I’m shocked by how fast this little corner is growing (we already have nearly 200 friends gathered here!).

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