Definitely recommend, though my username is more of a Tolkien reference.

They are all super fun and exciting so far except maybe book 3 :/

No judgement here, it took quite literally a full year of daily practice before I could get any decent art

You stack charcoal briquettes like dominoes in a little snake around a water pan on the bottom grate of a charcoal grill, and sprinkle wood chips on top. Then you light one end and it takes many hours to slowly burn through. It's a great method if you have a charcoal grill but not a smoker.