The Hobbit
J.R.R. Tolkien
Ballantine
305 pages
Read in 2008

Bilbo Baggins was a hobbit who wanted to be left alone in quiet comfort. But the wizard Gandalf came along with a band of homeless dwarves. Soon Bilbo was drawn into their quest, facing evil orcs, savage wolves, giant spiders, and worse, unknown dangers. Finally, it was Bilbo - alone, and unaided - who had to confront the great dragon Smaug, the terror of an entire countryside...