No End of Books

10 Great Books by Brianna Stacyn I always love the hidden gem - the book that no one else seems to know about, which you enthusiastically tell everyone to read.  Here's a list of ten books that I've loved, but that aren't as well-known. 10.   Peeled - Joan Bauer I love this one because: A. It's about a girl who writes!  B. The senior citizens are hilarious.  C.  This quote alone: "No typos, either, but there was some unfortunate wording in a classified ad: DOG FOR SALE - Eats anything and is particularly fond of children." 9.   T he Thirty-Nine Steps - John Buchan  This is a grown-up version of Tintin in some ways.  Think an epic chase across the English countryside, a terrifying omnipresent villain, and absolute sheer amazing spy story. 8.   The Rumpelstiltskin Problem - Vivian Vande Velde If you, by any chance, enjoy fairytale retellings, do not miss this book!  Her hilarious take on Rump...

I'm starting out with a book that I know well (because, yikes, it's my first review!  *insert panic here*)  I've loved Tolkien's works ever since my mom read the Hobbit out loud to us when we were about nine or ten.  I then had the chance to watch a theatre production of the Hobbit, which was the best way ever to study the characters!  (Sidenote: I will not be mentioning the movies and their flaws.  It'd take too long.)  The best facet of Tolkien's work, in my opinion, is his talent for bringing characters and settings to vivid life.  The Hobbit is a classic example of the "untalented" character having a lot more to him than is first evident.  Bilbo Baggins is not a strong, perfect hero, but he is a realistic, relatable person (fine, hobbit.)  Gandalf is the wise shepherd who occasionally just can't stand the dwarves one moment longer.  And the dwarves?  They seem a little bit like a very large homeschooling family.  . ....