I have watched The Hobbit movie over 10 folds as many since I was a kid yet it took me so long to actually read the book. The story is much simpler in terms of character development and dramatic storyline-eise, but Tolkien's writing is so precious and refreshing. I was giggling and nodding my head whole throughout. In the earlier chaptersbhe would give small spoilers or details about incidents in the latter part of the story in playful ways. There are only a few authors whose storytelling element I have thoroughly enjoyed so far like Rowling, Murakami etc. And Tokien is definitely up there in that list.