I started college in 2003–right before Peter Jackson’s “The Return of the King” came out in theaters.

That year, my college friends introduced me to Middle Earth via the first two films before the last one came out.

I don’t know how I had never given Tolkien any attention in high school. I should have. I would have loved him.

But I’m so, so glad I saw the movies first. Mainly because the movies are so epic. They are one of a kind in terms of film. They are beautiful and wonderful. And if I had read the books first, I don’t think I would be able to appreciate them in their own right.

I don’t think I would love them for what they are. I would simply compare them to the books, and hate the things they changed. Because I saw them first, I don’t do that.

Don’t get me wrong, I know what Jackson changed. I disagree with a few of the artistic choices he made (***Faramir, cough***) And watching the movies “spoiled” lots of stuff from the books for me. But the movies made me yearn to read the books. I bought them freshman year from the college book store. I was so stoked to read them. I have read them multiple times since.

Books are always superior to their movie adaptations. Because I hadn’t read Tolkien’s books yet when I saw the first two films, the movies are able to hold a special place in my heart. I’m able to return to them again and again, happily. I love that.