Which Tolkien Book Are We Reading Next?

It’s high summer in my corner of the world. Our days are peppered with brief thunderstorms and sultry winds. The cicadas are singing in the trees. I’m savoring every hour of these warm days, but, just like Frodo in the first chapters of The Lord of the Rings, I can feel the anticipation for fall humming on the fringes, ready to be embraced.

And this autumn will certainly be one to remember…

A few big things happened over the summer around here. First, we had our official Silmarillion Summer event where I guided paid subscribers through a 7-week read-along of The Silmarillion. It was incredible. We had first time readers. We had long time readers. We had people who had tried to read the book multiple times years ago, failed and finally got all the way through it with us. Hundreds of Tolkien fans from around the world intentionally journeyed through the book together and discovered how much it changes things (in the best way!) to read Tolkien’s books with other people.

Second, my family packed up the home we’ve lived in the past 15 years and moved into temporary living arrangement while our new home is being built. Building our new home was only possible because of the Tolkien work I’ve been able to do in last few years and it’s something I’m deeply grateful for.

The plan is to have the new home (and a new Tolkien Office!) set up by the end of the year. But we’re holding those plans loosely and taking it a day at a time. Meanwhile, Tolkien deep-dives while continue as normal around here.

I’m currently putting the finishing touches on my annual read-through of The Lord of the Rings for my paid subscribers. This has become a yearly ritual that I start every fall on September 22nd (Bilbo and Frodo’s birthday) and this year will be no different!

So many people have taken this journey through Middle-earth together here at Many Meetings over the years and I can’t wait to do it again. The tradition of reading LOTR with my community in the fall has become a highlight of my year.

I’m a firm believer that The Lord of the Rings comes to life when you read it with other people. There’s nothing like reading this book for the first time—or doing a much needed reread—with a group of like-minded, welcoming people from diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultures. It brings adds layers and depth to the experience in a whole new way.1

This means you can upgrade to a paid subscription now and lock in your seat for The Lord of the Rings read-through for as little as $3.50 a month or $35 for the whole year (cancel anytime).

I only run sales once or twice a year and this one ends on August 21st, 2026. Don’t wait to take advantage of it!

Get 30% off your paid sub here!

If tapping the above button doesn’t work, you can also click here for 30% off paid subscriptions.

I know that sometimes the cost of a subscription can be a barrier for people wanting to join my read-through events. I try to alleviate that when and where I can while also still providing income for my family.

Moving (and living) out of state while building a new house is expensive. This Summer Sale will allow me to help people join our fall read-though of LOTR who otherwise might not have been able to while also bringing in some much needed extra income for my family during this transitional period.

So if you want to get your ticket to the 2026 read-through of The Lord of the Rings while this promo lasts and help my family as we work through this move, you can save your seat for as little as $3.50. (promo ends August 21st, 2026).

Summer is still lingering here. The sun warms our days and the skies are high and blue. But slowly, on the edges of leaves and in the quiet corners of the forests you can see hints whispering of the coming fall. Before you know it the days will be filled with campfires on chilly nights, bejeweled trees, crisp, foggy mornings, and somewhere on your shelf The Lord of the Rings is waiting patiently to be opened—to welcome you back for another adventure through Middle-earth.

Will you be joining us? I can’t wait to meet you there.

Don't forget! 30% off paid subs now!