[JenB]

I know exactly what you mean - sensawonda. That's what I get from those early Heinlein novels that have pride of place on my shelf; from the silly short stories with green Martians and amphibious Venusians; from the books with pictures of improbable skyscapes and gorgeous rocket ships... there are a few recent books that manage to have that sense, but not many. That's why I spend a few dollars a month in the used bookstore, looking for books with little rockets on the spine.

And LotR has that same sense, doesn't it? Just because it's about Elves and hobbits doesn't mean there's no wonder - but I can't think of many other fantasies that are the same way. I think it's because LotR is closer to the original myths and fairy tales than the books that are basically derivatives of LotR. And science fiction is, in a way, a new sort of myth, so it would have that same sort of wonder about it.

[Overtaxed]

That's why I spend a few dollars a month in the used bookstore, looking for books with little rockets on the spine.

There's two bookcases of those sensawonda books at "the house." Hmmm...maybe I should start moving them to "my house."