No Admittance Except on Party Business

Published on March 17, 2026

By Carrie S.

March 25th is a day for celebration—spoiler warning for Tolkien Lore—for this is the day the One Ring was finally destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom.  Now declared Tolkien Reading Day by the Tolkien Society, it is the perfect day to promote the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien. 

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the much-beloved Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. So, let’s grab a table at the Green Dragon—this most definitely calls for a celebration worthy of Gandalf’s fireworks. 

I was first introduced to Tolkien when my elementary school teacher read us captivating passages from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings during storytime. We sat, cross-legged and wide-eyed, utterly absorbed by glimpses into this magical world. Then, at art time, we conjured up fantastical images from Middle-earth (although the jury is still out on whether encouraging children to paint giant man-eating spiders has done me any lasting damage!).

Have you ever wondered how you’d fare in Middle-earth? My skill set seemed lacking, so I thought I’d gather some library picks that might help us navigate next time we need to take a ring to Mordor. 

100 Morning Treats by Sarah Kieffer 

You won’t make it to Mordor on an empty stomach. Better make sure second breakfast is taken care of with these tasty treats. Lembas bread is likely not included, but you’ll find enough to sate the emptiest of stomachs until you reach Lothlórien. 

The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond With Forests and Nature by Peter Wohlleben

Don’t be hasty! Communicating with nature is an absolute must on this journey. Treebeard has a great deal of wisdom to impart, and we’d all be wise to slow down and take heed.   

Hiking is Fundamental: A Step-by-step Guide to Hitting the Trail by Barbara Ann Kipfer 

After setting off from the Shire, it took approximately 6 months for Frodo and Sam to reach their destination. That—my friends—is a LOT of walking. Get tips on pacing and what to pack to optimize your journey time.  

The Home Blacksmith by Ryan Ridgway 

Cultivate your metal work skills and you’ll be in high demand. Shod horses, perfect your blade-smithing, and maybe even forge your own ring of power. The possibilities are endless. 

Archery for Beginners by Amante P. Mariñas, Sr.

Tolkien himself claimed he had a “wholly unsatisfied desire to shoot well with a bow.”* Don’t let this be your fate. You can’t very well fend off an orc attack if you can’t shoot an arrow straight.  

Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier 

You never know when you might get stuck by a Morgul-blade. Not an ideal scenario, but it’s probably best to prepare for all eventualities.  

The Complete Book of Horses: Breeds, Care, Riding, Saddlery

I didn’t forget about you budding Horse-lords. Impress folks with your extensive equine knowledge and then brush up on your riding skills. Long may you defend the Golden Hall of Edoras. 

However you choose to celebrate this momentous day, be sure to explore the wide array of Tolkien works on offer at the library. 

* Tolkien, J. R. R. (1964). Children and Fairy Stories. Tree and Leaf (p.117). George Allen and Unwin.