The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Hobbit written by J. R. R. Tolkien is an incredibly popular fantasy book centered around a Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who reluctantly leaves the comfort of his home to go on an adventure with Gandalf the Grey and thirteen dwarves to reclaim a trove of treasure from Smaug the Dragon. Middle Earth, the setting of this story, is richly imagined and paints beautiful imagery for readers and listeners alike. Even without watching the movie adaptation, the world is described in depth, while also allowing little inferences to be left to the reader. The story’s characters are charming, three-dimensional, and relatable. Bilbo Baggins, our protagonist, undergoes major character development and discovers capabilities that were unknown to him, while never losing sight of the person he was at the beginning of the story. Following Bilbo’s thoughts throughout the story, there is a seamless alteration in Bilbo’s mindset that makes readers proud and filled with admiration. Even the side characters of the story have completely fleshed out personalities and develop new respect for the hobbit as the journey progresses. The world that Tolkien created keeps readers hooked and at the edge of their seats the entire time, where even the chapter titles leave them wondering what could happen next. All in all, this book is imaginative, captivating, and unique among other books.