Some Interesting Sources

Hello reader,

Today I wanted to share some interesting sources and information I have been looking at as I have been reading; they are all easily accessible websites filled with trivia, encyclopedic information, or other amusing tidbits.

This website, Tolkien Gateway, is one I use often while reading, if I need to further define a term unique to Tolkien's writing, usually a creature or landscape of some sort. It also features information on adaptations of Tolkien's work into other forms of media.
http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Main_Page

The webpage for the Tolkien Society, an "educational charity," features a detailed biography of Tolkien and his career as a writer, as well as the life of his works. Did you know that the opening sentence of The Hobbit -- "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit" -- was written before Tolkien had even defined what a hobbit was? Or that in 1965 a pirated version of The Lord of the Rings was printed? Visit this page to find out more.
http://www.tolkiensociety.org/index.html

This, The Barrow Downs, is perhaps the most interesting of Tolkien-themed websites. It features encyclopedic information and FAQ about Middle Earthen lore, as well as several entertaining games. It also features a Tengwar transcriptor (only PC supported, unfortunately) if you did not try your hand at it back when I posted about it,  not to mention a personality quiz (I was matched to Aragorn), an optimal environment quiz (Rivendell for me), and many, many other activities.
http://www.barrowdowns.com/faqs.php

I hope you enjoy these websites; I know that I did. Please check back soon as I will continue on with the book! Also, if you know of an interesting source that I did not mention please comment below with a link or information about it.
Thanks for reading,
C