I read The Hobbit in a hospital, many years ago, during a shift I took turns in with cousins looking after my Lolo Jose, who was very old and sick.
It was 1991. I was a very timid 13-year-old. As a child I had always found books comforting, and many an undesired social situation or uncomfortable phase were eased through with the excuse of a book in hand.
On that particular week, though,
