Most nights, the four of us gather in the living room before the boys go to bed, and My Old Man reads The Hobbit to us. I cherish these moments – such a reliable, gentle, and cozy end to full and exhausting days. But recently, the three of them discovered the truth – I haven’t been listening all that well. They were equal parts horrified and amused when they realized that I couldn’t call up some of the most basic plot points and I stumbled over naming some of the major characters. Hey, what can I say? I’m not here for the story, I’m here for the time with my family, with knitting in my hands, kids by my side, and my husband’s voice in the background.
I’ve decided to try to listen better now that I know I might be quizzed at any moment.
earthchicknits 
All those frickin’ dwarves. I couldn’t keep them straight either.
I read the book in high school and saw the movie, part one, and I can’t keep any of the characters straight. Perhaps that will change after I have seen movies 2 and 3?…lol. But, like you I too would be there for the feeling state of this family time, and the knitting. Retaining the story details would not be my thing.
My mom read The Hobbit out loud to me when I was about the same age, in long afternoon sessions curled up on my bed. Thanks for reminding me of a lovely memory!