In middle school we had a reading quota that was judged on reading level, book size, and a comprehension exam (accelerated reader was the system). My buddy A.K. suggested these Tolkien books and said I'd love them--plus they would make short work of my quota! As I dove into the Hobbit, it was wondrous (as I'm sure you have experienced.) When Gollum was introduced, I immediately recognized the story. I had seen the Rankin-Bass animated The Hobbit when I was a young child, and had been haunted by Gollum's portrayal. I had finished reading The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings within a week or two, and had filled my reading quota for four months. A year or two later, A.K. introduced me to theonering.net, where I could follow the production of a new live action LotR film by Peter Jackson. Thanks, A.K.!