Miremiel and I were talking today, and we got to thinking about the pull certain kinds of stories have. Why is a person attracted by a particular genre of literature, anyway? As we thought about it, we realized that it's a pretty deep topic to bring up, and we wanted your opinions. So, if you can, take time to answer and discuss these questions.

First off, why do you think you enjoyed LotR in the first place? The same question could apply to any fantasy book you've read (we're really thinking about the fantasy genre right now, though others could be discussed!)

Secondly, why do you keep coming back for more? What is it that makes LotR inspiring, and makes you want to read the book twice, three times, or even once a year?

Give a detailed description of why you love what you love. Narnia, Harry Potter, LotR, Chronicles of Narnia, or any other fantasy book applies. What is the common bond between such stories that makes us associate them together, other than the obvious "they're fantasy?"

We're looking forward to seeing your answers. We're posting this a few places to make sure everyone sees it!

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Well, I think there's a lot of different answers, but for me I love the deeper meaning LotR has, and how much you can learn from it. I think it really changed me as a person. I also just love how they seem to pull you into them. Sometimes it's difficult to stop reading, you get so caught up in them. If it's an especially good book, you can just get lost in them to the point where you can see what's happening in your mind, and you don't even see the words on the page anymore. I absolutely love that feeling! Not only that, I love how they invite you into a world where the greater good prevails, and where magic and wonderful dreams exist. That's my favorite part about fantasy.

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I always read the first page of the book before continuing if I understand and like it. I will keep reading. A lot of people judge a book by it's cover. I know I don't, that's for sure!

Well, walking dow the isle of a book store, its the pretty cover that gets me. But when reading a story, I would have to say that the characters are very important. I have read quite a few storie where the characters are pefect Mary Sue-ish charaters, and it makes me want to barf. The character has to be believable. I've always loved authors that could weave things into their stories. Little clues that lead up to the solution, clues that are very obvious, but you just don't relize it. I have lots of respect for authors who can do that.

I look an interesting cover, read the Blurb, and then read the first few pages, if they are all good, then i continue reading

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if the book interests me in the first part of the story,i keep reading.what really gets me hooked are good characters and a good storyline that keeps u interested in it.

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^thanks to arwenevenstar.com.

"...You can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest.Honestly,it's the honest ones you want to look out for..."

When I look for a good book, there are things that that book has to contain.

The cover has to look nice, and the first page has to grab me, if you get my point. And I always love adventure tales, all since the time that I was a very little girl!

Fantasy books, are the best for me, because I love the story's about normal people who get the chance to save the world, with a helper. And those story's give you the courage to go on with your own life, in some kind of way...

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I will read a book for sure if it was written by either J.R.R. Tolkein, Douglas Adams or J.K. Rowling

my faves usually include epic journeys,a bunch of mismatched characters and maybe saving the world.

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^thanks to arwenevenstar.com.

"...You can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest.Honestly,it's the honest ones you want to look out for..."

A very thoughtful question! For myself, I remember the very first time I saw The Fellowship of the Ring. Early on, I began to find my self really getting into the story, and more importantly, the variety of characters, which I find to be extremely important in any film (for those of you who LOVE characterization, I HIGHLY reccommemd you see Doom... and if you just find Karl Urban to be gorgeous ). And too, I've always loved fantasy, since it's something you know you'd never see day-to-day. I totally respect anybody who can write fantasies like Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, obviously Lord of the Rings, because it gives you a chance to let your imagination go, which (unfortunately) is something I don't think we have enough of these days.[/i]

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My life is: My pals, LotR, PotC, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Kiera Knightly, Nathan Fillion, Vampires, GC, music, and food AMUSING QUOTES:-That still only counts as 1!-Savvy?-Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?-"Benji has 5 STD's." "2 of em should count as 1 but they're different strands."