I'm a thirty-something who loves reading, walks in the countryside, chocolate, cups of tea, hobbits and elves and thats about it really!!!!!!
First Lord of the Rings reading experience:
I sped through it so fast and was like "Wow I want to do that again"!!
This will perhaps sound silly but I love being out in the countryside, but now as well as enjoying the fresh air my mind is imagining (and half hoping I will see) elves darting between the trees, or a hobbit or two enjoying a pik-nik on the grass.
I almost don't want to say reading it changed me as it sounds so glibe, but it did.
Favorite Tolkien character:
In the book I think Sam, Frodo and Eowyn, and oops almost forgot Faramir. In the movies Eowyn, Merry and Pippin. I love the friendship and courage that Sam and Frodo have, their loyalty and desire to do the right thing.
In the film I love Merry and Pippin and despite being a little bit "cute" at the start, at the end they are ready to die for their friend...what a sacrifice. Eowyn in both the film and books just comes across as such an interesting character. I enjoyed the way she was portrayed in the film. I liked the way Aragorn found that there was honor to be had in her duties even if it was not wielding a sword.
Finally, Gollum in the films and books...do I need a reason!!!!??