15. The Hobbit

by J.R.R. Tolkien (255 pgs)

This was actually better than I remember it being, although I always felt it was the best of the four. I think I understand much more than I did 12 years ago when I first read it. I was a little surprised by some points of the book that I didn't remember previously, particularly those concerning Elrond. I think I forgot altogether that he was in The Hobbit.