I was nine when I first read the Hobbit. When I was ten I picked up the Fellowship of the Ring for the first time. I have read all three of the books over the past four year several times. Now I am fourteen and just picked up the Silmarillon yesterday. (I know it took me so long to finally start it but I've been reading other books lately) I am on chapter five or six (can't remember at the moment) and love it already.