*Any new LOTR thing is announced* Me: Ok but does it involve complex interpersonal relationships that break down masculine stereotypes

It's that time again. For the next 24 hours, drop any infectious disease and/or vaccine-related questions below in response to this post, and I will do my best to answer them. Responses are for information only and are NOT medical advice. #AskAnIDDoc September 2025 edition.

This is the most anti-science thing I have watched today. What is most shocking about this is all of these statements are being made without any scientific evidence to back it up. There are very few safe options to treat pain and fever in pregnancy so this is also an attack on women's health.

On 21 September 1937: J.R.R. #Tolkien's The Hobbit was published. The book tells of a hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, and his journey with thirteen dwarves to recover their treasure from a dragon, Smaug. It's sold over 100 million copies and is one of the best-selling books of all time. #BookSky

If you've not read this essay, or even if you have, I can't recommend it enough. In the first place, it's incredibly insightful, well-written, and proof positive that brilliant Tolkien scholarship can and does happen outside the academy. In the second place, it makes me cry.

From all of us at Westmoot, we hope everyone has a great time this weekend at #Oxonmoot, whether you are attending in-person or online! Pictured here is Frodo Baggins- oops, we meant Zak Francis, carrying the Ring to Mordor and making a quick stop at #Westmoot25. #westmoot #intothewest

Westmoot folks who are attending Oxonmoot this weekend- we’re going to take a Westmoot group photo in front of the dining hall at 11:30! Spread the word! #westmoot #oxonmoot #intothewest

Westmoot folks who are attending Oxonmoot this weekend- we’re going to take a Westmoot group photo in front of the dining hall at 11:30! Spread the word! See you soon! #westmoot #oxonmoot #intothewest

When you first read the LotR, which character did you most relate to? This month, Dr. Luke Shelton @lukebshelton.bsky.social explores reader response theory and the ways that personal experience and interpretation interact with criticism. Thanks, Luke! athrabeth.simplecast.com/episodes/epi...

This was such a fun and engaging experience! Thanks so much to @podcast.athrabeth.com for having me!

Eglerio! My series editor’s copy of @joelmerriner.bsky.social’s Illustrating The Lord of the Rings in the Soviet Bloc: Iconographies of Difference has just arrived! The book will be available from 18 Sep - details here: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/illustrat... @uofgfantasy.bsky.social @tolkiensociety.org

"Which Way, Western Man" is a notorious 1978, neo-Nazi classic by eugenicist William Gayley Simpson. It blames Jews for the racial destruction of the modern world and calls for a violent, global "revolution" modeled on Hitler's genocidal anti-Jewish campaign. /1

The journey to Middle-earth and understanding J. R. R. Tolkien begins inside Marquette University's archives, which has more than 11,000 pages of drafts for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

Shorte filme concept: Post-credits scenes for everye Shakespeare playe

PSA.

Turn this off if you still have an Academia.edu account.

Harold Bloom was not the greatest fan of Tolkien (even though he edited multiple collections about him/his works). But I find his concept of “misreading” really valuable when thinking about interpretations of a work.

Very excited to see this book ready for pre-order! mcfarlandbooks.com/product/Quee...

"Parma Eldalamberon 17: Words, Phrases & Passages in _The Lord of the Rings_" is available again on demand at: The Great British Bookshop: www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk/products/par... and at: Barnes and Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/parma-elda...

Here again are alternative and credible sources for vaccine information and guidance until sanity returns in US Public Health : WHO - www.who.int/teams/immuni... Canada - www.canada.ca/en/public-he... ECDC - www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/immunisat... U.K - www.gov.uk/government/p...

I am revisiting my PhD thesis to mine it for some upcoming things, and I am struck once again by the incredible aptitude for compassion and generosity that these young readers have.

ATTENTION! 🐰LATE FOR A VERY IMPORTANT DATE? 🐰Fear not! We're extending the Call for Papers for ONE WEEK from today, due to the high number of enquiries & excellent proposals we've received at, well, white rabbit o'clock! Missed the deadline? Now is your chance! Spread the word

Up now on JTR: 'Tolkien & Psychology'. Papers by @nicholasbirns.bsky.social, @cameronbourquein.bsky.social, @drfairylelie.bsky.social, Mareike Huber, Kris Larsen, Martin Hauberg-Lund Laugesen & Bo Kampmann Walther, Ali Mirzabayati, Dawn Walls-Thumma, & me! scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftol...

I have published my closing remarks for #Westmoot! luke-shelton.com/2025/05/13/w... #westmoot25 @westmoot.org

I have published my closing remarks for #Westmoot! luke-shelton.com/2025/05/13/w... #westmoot25 @westmoot.org

This year, we were spoiled with keynotes by @annasmol.bsky.social, @donatoarts.bsky.social, and @banzailibrarian.bsky.social. It will be tough to come up with a lineup any better than that! #westmoot #westmoot25

#Westmoot has been a very rewarding experience over the past few days. Now come the post-conference blues. I revisited this old blog post to give myself some important reminders, and I post it here in case someone else finds it helpful, too: luke-shelton.com/2019/08/15/t...

#Westmoot has been a very rewarding experience over the past few days. Now come the post-conference blues. I revisited this old blog post to give myself some important reminders, and I post it here in case someone else finds it helpful, too: luke-shelton.com/2019/08/15/t...

Are you posting at Westmoot? Please tag us using our hashtags so we can see all the fun! www.westmoot.org #westmoot #westmoot25 #intothewest

During the Welcome this evening, we heard from #Westmoot25 Chair Asli Johnston and Deputy Chair Luke Shelton; and from Tolkien Society Chair Shaun Gunner and Education Secretary Will Sherwood. The whole evening was hosted by special guest Knewbettadobetta! What a night! #Westmoot #intothewest

Well, it’s been too short, but @westmoot.org has ended. Tear-filled finales with a reading from The Grey Havens by @shaungunner.bsky.social, a send off from @lukebshelton.bsky.social, and applauding the amazing volunteers and conference organizers. Enyalië until next time!

Awesome! @mollyostertag.bsky.social shout-out in @donatoarts.bsky.social’s keynote at #westmoot

Some excellent talks at @westmoot.org by @gingerprof.bsky.social @annasmol.bsky.social @jrrtastrochick.bsky.social and @lukebshelton.bsky.social

Cooling down with the tall and cool drink of water @lukebshelton.bsky.social giving some insights into is PhD—specifically young readers’ experience with Samwise @westmoot.org

Honestly, I chose these scholars because I knew they would give us a relaxed, yet brilliant start to the moot. Boy did they deliver! I even got to put them on the spot and they gave exceptionally thoughtful answers! #westmoot #westmoot25 #intothewest

What a fantastic #westmoot panel! Luke Shelton led a discussion with authors of three recent #tolkien books, Thomas P. Hillman, Cami D. Agan, and Nicholas Birns, exploring their writing processes and what they have coming next! #Westmoot25 #intothewest

It me!

Introducing Dr. Luke Shelton, @lukebshelton.bsky.social, Deputy Chair of #westmoot! Luke is a #Tolkien scholar and the Editor of Mallorn: The Journal of The Tolkien Society. He created and co-hosts the Tolkien Experience Project and Podcast! Register for #westmoot25: www.westmoot.org #intothewest

We can’t wait to see you all at #westmoot! We hope you can make it to our show with the fantastic @knewbettadobetta.bsky.social! To celebrate the first Westmoot, we created a special pin and sticker just for the conference! Come introduce yourself to Jude and Stef and let us give them to you! 💚

Last call, Hobbits! There are two days left to register for #westmoot25 in order to have your Friday night appetizers and Saturday lunch included in your registration! Register by April 30 for #westmoot to make sure you secure your sustenance! www.westmoot.org #tolkien #intothewest

So excited that attendees can see the schedule now! With more than 30 papers, 3 keynotes, and around 20 events/activities, it has been a lot to schedule, but it is going to be such a fun weekend! There’s still time to join us!

Join Sarah C. Schaefer, Associate Professor and co-curator of the 2022 exhibition J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript, at #westmoot25 for an exploration of visual materials in Tolkien archives. Welcome @sarahcschaefer.bsky.social! Register for #westmoot www.westmoot.org #tolkien #intothewest

Just over three weeks left to submit an abstract to our Wonderland Companion Call for Papers - spread the word and share widely!

Five days left to vote!

Hobbits, the deadline approaches! Register for #westmoot25 before April 30 to guarantee your Friday apps and Saturday lunch. The WWI Museum requires that attendees wanting food included in their registration be registered by April 30. Register now for #westmoot!: www.westmoot.org #intothewest

If you’re changing the definition of human rights, it means you plan on violating people’s human rights.

Delighted that the Digital Tolkien Project has been shortlisted again for the Tolkien Society Awards! If you enjoy the work we do and are a society member, please consider voting for us! www.tolkiensociety.org/2025/04/vote...

Ten days for Tolkien Society members to vote!

While our pal Glorfindel may have lost track of FOUR Ringwraiths, we know for certain there are only FOUR WEEKS left until #westmoot25! With only one month to go, register now for #westmoot, May 9-11 in KC!: www.westmoot.org #tolkien #intothewest