A careful consideration of the texts that can be proven to have been read by J.R.R. Tolkien, Ordway's Tolkien's Modern Reading, thoroughly presents her argument that Tolkien was more of a modern reader than has previously been assumed (for which she takes Humphrey Carpenter's biography to task over, as well as several other sources).

I appreciated the clarity with which Ordway approached the topic, and her delineation of what she was and was not considering as she looked at the modern reads that were on Tolkien's mental bookshelf. The table at the end of the book listing the book titles and where they were referenced was very useful and something I can see myself relying on in the future.

Occasionally there would be an end assumption that I felt was not tied strictly into the point being made about a particular piece's influence, but the proof provided in support of each individual work listed here is beyond impressive. The critical look at Tolkien biographies did feel a bit repetitive at times, which I imagine may be a reflection into why this book exists in the first place, but it was something I found easy to forgive.

I greatly enjoyed this look into some of the sources that Ordway proved existed on Tolkien's bookshelf, and I recommend this to anyone interested in Tolkien or in the influence of reading upon writing.