by George Giannakos and Robyn Yager | Slowing down a little and breaking out a good book is never a bad idea. But what to read? You could walk into any bookstore and roll the dice on a recent release, but here’s another option: pick up a book that you last put down 5, 10, or 20 years ago. For the next book in Scout’s Read It (Again) series, we’ve picked J.R.R. Tolkien’s Jr.’s 1937 masterpiece, The Hobbit.

Why You Should Read It Again: Are you all grown up now and no longer enthralled by dragons, dwarves, elves, wizards and riddles? Perhaps, but you will still love a re-read of The Hobbit. With Fall fast approaching and everyone heading off on their September adventures, what better way to bring in the new season with one of the most epic tales of them all. This is the story of Bilbo Baggins, a homebody Hobbit who finds himself thrown (reluctantly) into the journey of a lifetime together with a benevolent weed-loving wizard and thirteen dwarves who underestimate his worth to their party. It’s the prequel to all things Lord of the Rings and an excellent way to get ready for the December release of Peter Jackson’s long-awaited 3D adaptation (trailer).

What you you should pair it with: A stroll over to the rolling hills of False Creek’s Ron Basford Park with a Fat Tug IPA by B.C.’s Driftwood Brewery in honour of a Hobbit’s love for good brews. Go barefoot with thirteen small children for the sake of authenticity.

OTHER CLASSIC PAIRINGS