There have been intermediate times when I was too sick to get out of bed and accomplish anything, but well enough to lie in bed and read. It was during these times that I started reading *Lord of the Rings* and during a later sick spell, *The Left Hand of Darkness.* (Yes, there is at least one book I expect[ed] to have trouble finishing, that I have kept in reserve for the next time I have "moderate ill health"; that book is *Watership Down.*) I feel that both of these first two books get off to really slow starts, but pay off in the long run. *Watership Down* seems to have the same trait.

Nate