Though this is at least my third read of it, I’d forgotten just how funny this book can be. It had me chuckling out loud multiple times in the first chapter. 

Another new thing this time around was the kinship I felt with Bilbo! There’s me, just trying to lead a relatively mundane life, very cosy and comfortable with my set up, then wham bam people come along with their big ideas come and shake everything up and drag me out of my comfort zone. The apprehension Bilbo had towards everything really hit home for me - maybe I need to let my Took side out a little more. 

And as always, reading Tolkien’s work feels like coming home - a feeling I don’t think will ever go away.