Back when I was in college, I started reading the Hobbit. I stopped halfway through, and have felt guilty for it ever since. But I was turned off by the thick prose to a certain extent (I wasn't much of a reader back then. Now I read quite a bit.) But mainly, I had a group of friends who had practically memorized the entire set, worshiping Tolkien, and writing and speaking in the languages he had invented. I knew I could never live up to their standard, so I was very turned off. Now, I too, am considering reading them for the first time, when I have time, because I feel I now can approach the books with a level of critical thought I lacked 18 years ago. Also, I don't hang out with those friends anymore...
