Book #25
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
By J.R.R. Tolkien
Enjoying My Favorite Childhood Book
This was one of my favorite books growing up so I thought it would be nice to pull it off the shelf and dust it off, especially now that I am recovering from not feeling well.
This book is like a spiritual palate cleanser. I think the things we enjoyed most as children reveal a lot about us because that was before outer voices could take over. We liked these things for the joy they brought us, not for some outer reason or influence. How rarely in adulthood is the only goal of an activity enjoyment? I miss doing things just for the pleasure of doing them, like I would often do in childhood.
Many of the books that I have chosen to read so far in my 2025 Book Reading Challenge have an obvious purpose. They are self-improvement oriented. I am trying to accomplish something by reading them, whether it is growth, insight, or productivity.
That is not the case with a book like The Lord of the Rings. Reading a book like this is simply for the personal enjoyment and inspiration of it all.
Seeking Clarity Through Reading Books
I began this Book Reading Challenge because I was unhappy with my life. I felt like my outer world didn’t reflect me, however if I am being honest, my inner world didn’t actually reflect me either. It was just a mirror of the outer world. I was like a disco ball in the middle of a room full of funhouse mirrors. I wasn’t adding any of my own essence to my life; just reflecting the world- both the good and the bad- outward.
My life felt entirely of others’ making. I believed the people in my life just wanted me to reflect them back to themselves, so I wasn’t adding anything original.
This is a sign that someone has lost themself. And one way to get it back is to fill your life with the people, places, books, and objects that you enjoy- genuinely enjoy. I like myself more when I do. And I lose respect for myself when I make decisions that aren’t aligned with myself. This causes my self-esteem to lower and I begin to feel like I don’t deserve good things. I stop taking opportunities and seeing my own value.
But when I feel most like myself, I believe I deserve good things. I know my value and feel capable. I look people in the eye more. And I am less hard on my mistakes. I feel like a benefit to my community, not a detriment.
When I embrace my individuality, I feel more connected to others.
So, with reading books like this, I am giving myself permission to be me. To not prioritize reading for external reward, but instead for personal enjoyment. To not have to accomplish anything by reading. As I said earlier, to cleanse my spiritual palate.
I don’t think reading your favorite childhood book is a magic pill that will cure your life. But I do think the nostalgia of it has a way of reminding you who you truly are. It points you in the right direction when the world feels like it is constantly trying to pull you in the wrong direction.
So, what’s your favorite childhood book?
Messy Bun Book Lover
(Originally posted on July 13, 2025)
Read The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien → https://amzn.to/477Tcbe
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