One Book to Rule Them All . . .

Diane at Faith in Community tagged me with this meme last night.

Books are scarce in the world. They are illegal in some provinces. They are not easily replaced, if not impossible to replace if lost in many if not most circumstances. If you can replace a book or buy one, it is usually through the black market at astronomical costs that you cannot afford. Yet you have been able to maintain one of the best collections in the world. If your entire library was about to burn up (think of the firefighters in Fahrenheit 451 invading your home) and you could only have one* book to take with you other than the Bible, what would that be and why?

Simple Rules: Answer the question. Offer one quote that resonates with you. Tag five people whose response is of genuine interest to you and inform him or her that they have been tagged. Cheers!

*And it cannot be an entire series of something, that’s cheating.

I'm afraid my answer to this will not be very profound or unique, but it will be heartfelt.

I would choose my one-volume edition of The Lord of the Rings, illustrated by Alan Lee. My husband bought it for me the first year it was published because he knew it was my favorite book—and because I'd worn out something like three sets of paperbacks.

My second oldest brother first gave me the trilogy when I was twelve. One of my most vivid memories is of sitting on our front steps reading about how Frodo and his companions were being chased by the black riders. Talk about ice cold terror. I'll never forget that feeling.

Since then, I've read the trilogy at least 18 times in English (probably more) and once in French. (I was brushing up for a trip to Paris.) Oddly, I don't read other fantasies, or at least I didn't until Harry Potter came along. I enjoy LOTR for all the typical reasons: the mythology, the variety of beings and cultures, the vivid depictions of landscape, the soul-stirring battle between good and evil. Yet, none of those qualities explain why I choose this book. I choose it because at some elemental level, I am Frodo. 

It's not necessary for me to go into all the gory details, but in my family, I was what is known as a parental child. I felt a tremendous burden to do the right thing and to try to hold everything together. As a 12-year-old, when I read about Frodo accepting the burden to carry the ring to Mordor and destroy it for the sake of those he loved, I bonded with him. Of course, I didn't understand the psychological dynamic at the time—I didn't figure that out until my mid-twenties. I knew only that I wanted to read the book again and again and again.

I no longer read it every year, but I'd feel like I lost my twin if I didn't have that book with me. It isn't the only book I strongly identify with. I feel horrible abandoning Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Eyre, and Julie of Up a Road Slowly to the fire, but those are the rules of the meme.

Oh, and I'm supposed to give you a quote.

No one answered. The noon-bell rang. Still no one spoke. Frodo glanced at all the faces, but they were not turned to him. All the Council sat with downcast eyes, as if in deep thought. A great dread fell on him, as if he was awaiting the pronouncement of some doom that he had long forseen and vainly hoped might after all never be spoken. An overwhelming longing to rest and remain at peace by Bilbo's side in Rivendell filled all his heart. At last with an effort he spoke, and wondered to hear his own words, as if some other will was using his small voice.

'I will take the Ring,' he said, 'though I do not know the way.'

Ok, I'm tagging Ginni of The View from My Garden; Jeannelle of Midlife by Farmlight; Anne of Get Out of Jail Free; Bonnie of Bon's Time Out; and Sis of Rain Down on Me, God.

Note: I'm deliberately trying to tag different people than I did last week. If anyone else wants to play, post your favorite book and then let me know in the comments so I can see what you chose.