This was my first time reading any Tolkien, so without any reliance on nostalgia I can confidently tell that I enjoyed every page. 

From what I've heard of the Lord of the Rings books, the hobbit definitely seem like the lighter option. I had been warned that Tolkien has a habit of getting to into the details, no matter how insignificant. However, I did not find that to be an issue at all. Any insignificant detail was only briefly mentioned and helps make the world feel more well-rounded and interesting. I got incredibly invested in the characters and their motivations for this journey. 

It has most likely been said many times, but the one wish I have for this book is for just a few female characters in the mix.