Today I’m delighted to welcome children’s writer Linda Jones. Her ‘Porridge & Cream’ read is The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien.

“In 1979 I lived in Bristol, in a house full of university graduates. For my birthday, they clubbed together and bought me a paperback copy of the full, unabridged edition of The Lord of The Rings by JRR Tolkien. Ecstatic didn’t get close!

“I’ve always loved fantasy in all its forms; from science fiction to fairy tales. I remember ‘devouring’ that huge tome in a matter of days, carrying it with me everywhere. Finally published in full in 1954, Tolkien’s rich descriptions of the world he created are peerless. Helped of course by his love of the British countryside and his longing for the peace of pre-war days.  So much of what he writes about is recognisable. All you have to do is transplant Hobbiton or Bywater to a quiet English village and you’re there… minus the hobbit holes of course.
“My original copy from 1979 has sadly bitten the dust. It was read frequently. During long, autumnal evenings, crisp spring mornings or just because I could. I clung on to the thumb-worn, taped-together pages for thirty-three years, but in the end, I had to let it go. You can imagine my joy when my wonderful daughter found me a hardcover copy from the same period! It lives next to my bed, already read many times.

“The Lord of The Rings is so many things. At its simplest an adventure, following the lives of the hobbits, Frodo Baggins, Sam Gamgee, Merry and Pippin as Frodo attempts to destroy an all-powerful ring. But there are so many other tales bound up within those pages. Epic heroes and villains, cruel monsters and unexpected encounters. The thrill of the chase, sorrow, battles, love stories…
“As I’m writing this, I know I’ll be reading it again very soon.”
BUY THE BOOK

Linda’s Bio
Originally from South Wales (UK), Linda was a psychiatric nurse. Now she’s an independent author with four books published and another, Cavern’s Fall due out in October 2020. As a writer of children’s fiction, Linda enjoys nothing more than delving into the worlds of fantasy and adventure. Right now, Linda can be found roosting near Pontefract, West Yorkshire, where the rain tastes and smells pretty much the same as the Welsh valleys.

Linda’s links
Author website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Linda’s latest book
An illustrated magical fantasy adventure. It’s spring. Nothing magical has happened for ages, then Dylan opens his school desk…Finding a talking hamster is weird enough, but soon Dylan and his sister Emily are caught up in another incredible adventure. This time they have to dive deep into a cold, murky river, avoid being captured by the crafty Aquelsis, or eaten by a terrifying Belfroad – and all to rescue the school bully! Deep Waters continues the story from Deadwood Hall, as Dylan and Emily begin to discover more about magic and the secrets their grandfather has been hiding.
BUY THE BOOK

What is a ‘Porridge & Cream’ book? It’s the book you turn to when you need a familiar read, when you are tired, ill, or out-of-sorts, where you know the story and love it. Where reading it is like slipping on your oldest, scruffiest slippers after walking for miles. Where does the name ‘Porridge & Cream’ come from? Cat Deerborn is a character in Susan Hill’s ‘Simon Serrailler’ detective series. Cat is a hard-worked GP, a widow with two children and she struggles from day-to-day. One night, after a particularly difficult day, she needs something familiar to read. From her bookshelf she selects ‘Love in A Cold Climate’ by Nancy Mitford. Do you have a favourite read which you return to again and again? If so, please send me a message.

Discover the ‘Porridge & Cream’ books of these authors:-
Rosemary Kind’s choice is ‘Under Milk Wood’ by Dylan Thomas
Graeme Cumming chooses ‘Eagle in the Sky’ by Wilbur Smith
‘Race of Scorpions’ by Dorothy Dunnett is chosen by JG Harlond

And if you’d like to tweet a link to THIS post, here’s my suggested tweet:
Children’s writer @LJonesauthor loves THE LORD OF THE RINGS by JRR Tolkien… why? #books https://wp.me/p5gEM4-4R7 via @SandraDanby