5 short readings to help you enjoy Tolkien Reading Day

It's understandable if you haven't heard of Tolkien Reading Day and even if you haven't, you might not know that there's a reason for it being on March 25. Nonetheless, March 25 is the day on which Tolkien fans around the world celebrate the New Year (according to some people in Middle-Earth) by picking up a book written by "The Professor." In honor of this year's theme of "Community and Fellowship," here are chapters or poems that I recommend reading if you're short on time or want to consume smaller bites of the Middle-Earth meal.

1. Perry-the-Winkle

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is an underrated treasure. This book of poems has songs about the man in the moon or short love stories and they're all in bite-size chunks for easy reading with charming illustrations.

My favorite will always be the story of Troll and Perry the Winkle. These unlikely friends decide to share an afternoon tea one day when most of the other winkles run screaming in fright. They have such a good experience learning from each other that they make this a regular thing and the villagers want to take part. Wisely. Troll reserves the best of times and best of cramsome bread for his little friend Perry. Best of all, it's attributed to Samwise Gamgee.

2. The Ainulindale

One of my favorite things about Tolkien's view of the universe is that he imagines it to be born out of music. In the beginning of The Silmarillion we are introduced to "Eru, the one." This creator created the "Holy Ones" (Ainur) and "spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music, and they sang before him, and he was glad.." I grew up religious and can tell you what was created in what order according to the Bible, but I'm also a musician who resonates (pun intended) with how this universe began.

This is particularly relevant this year, since it says that "for a long while they sang only each alone or but few together" and it took time for them to come "to deeper understanding, and increased in unison and harmony." The Music of the Ainur as the Ainulindale is rendered in English is the story of the different themes and how the majesty of the world happened because of people learning to make their music work together. In this beginning, it predicts that "all shall then understand fully his intent in their part" as what will happen for all beings created. It's a beautiful idea.

3. "A Shortcut to Mushrooms"

This is not the most philosophically profound chapter of The Lord of the Rings, but it's one of my favorites nonetheless. As Frodo and his friends leave the Shire to go to Crickhollow, they need to avoid black riders and other dangers on the path. Frodo worries about taking the suggestion to cut across Farmer Maggot's land for safe passage because of his past experiences with the local master.

Farmer Maggot hasn't forgotten that Frodo used to pilfer mushrooms, but has let bygones be bygones and not only gives him access to a safe path, but also invites the hobbits for dinner. They learn that both parties have misjudged each other and can be friends after all. Best of all, the chapter ends with Farmer Maggot's wife sending them off with a basket of mushrooms for the rest of their journey.

4. "Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire"

I have this chapter fresh on my mind because I discussed it with a friend just tonight, but this is the story that follows directly after Bilbo meets Gollum. He has escaped the goblin tunnels with a ring that is "a turning point in his career" and the first problem that presents itself is that he has lost his company and worse, they have lost him. He is in the middle of the wildnerness and not sure where to go from there.

Luckily, he finds his wizard and dwarves arguing about what to do with their lost burglar. Gandalf stands up for Bilbo being useful and refuses to let any of the dwarves off the hook for losing him. Then, Bilbo takes off his magic ring and gains respect and renown for his adventure finding them all again. It's a great turning point for the company of Thorin Oakenshield, which is a good thing, since they're about to be attacked by orcs and wolves and need to work as a fellowship to escape.

5. "The Tower of Cirith Ungol"

I often say that The Two Towers has the greatest cliffhanger of all time. It says that Sam is on one side of the entrance to Mordor and Frodo is in enemy hands on the other. And then we don't know what happens for 200 pages. When we finally get back to Sam, he's realized that Frodo isn't dead and that means he has to rescue his master. Things aren't going well for the newly-instated Ringbearer and he is feeling desperate and discouraged as calamity meets him at every turn. "Then softly, to his own surprise, there at the vain end of his long journey and his grief, moved by what thought in his heart he could not tell, Sam began to sing."

This stalwart gardener who never intended to be the last hope for a long quest sings whatever can give him comfort and then sings a song of hope that "here at journey's end I lie in darkness buried deep....above all shadows rides the Sun and Stars for ever dwell; I will not say the Day is done nor bid the Stars farewell." And in that moment of hope, Frodo responds to him and the friendship saves both parties.

Happy Tolkien Reading Day to all!