/lit/ - Literature

I'm having trouble coming to terms with being alive.
What is it that allows someone to influence another? Everyone influences each other, so the only way out of it is becoming a hermit.
The funny thing is then that someone with weak opinions isn't interesting. I wouldn't want to be long-term friends with someone who lacks strong convictions, so I get it.
Someone with strong opinions influences some people because it's easy to believe in someone than to think about what it is they are doing.
Where's the line between these two extremes?

So I have the Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and the Silmarillion. In what order should I read these?

give me your best riddles /lit/