I went back to England on my 80 books around the world journey to reread the book On Writing and Writers by C.S. Lewis. It works beautifully as a gift book for the writers in your life, up to and including yourself!

It is filled with tips and encouragement. My favorite quotes came from the section on Tolkien’s writing:

“Almost the central theme of the book is the contrast between the Hobbits and the appalling destiny to which some of them are called, the terrifying discovery that the humdrum happiness of the Shire, which they had taken for granted as something normal, is in reality a sort of local and temporary accident, that its existence depends on being protected by powers which Hobbits dare not imagine, that any Hobbit may find himself forced out of the Shire and caught up into that high conflict.”

“‘There was sorrow then too, and gathering dark, but great valor, and great deeds that were not wholly vain.’ Not wholly vain- it is the cool middle point between illusion and disillusionment.”

“‘Good and ill have not changed…nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves and another thing among Men.’”

What are you reading? Do you have any favorite books on writing? Where should I go next on my trip around the world?