The Fireside

I wanted to wish my readers a Happy Yuletide! (first day of winter until the 12th day of Christmas). Thanks for keeping up with the blog, even though I don't as often as I should. Life happens, and I'm not a 'full time' writer, sadly. I'll do up another post after Yuletide ends. Hope you're enjoying the posts, and keep watching. The blog is not going anywhere....unless I say it is. The image used is by J.R.R. Tolkien, as the original cover of "Letters From Father Christmas" [but back then it had a different title if I'm not mistaken]

Well, it’s that time of year again! I generally like to assume that no one follows my blog. By that, I mean, when I write a post, I think that is the first entry that someone may read. So, as is my custom, I’m going to be spotlighting a few books around Yuletide. This entry will focus on Tolkien. This year, there is no Hobbit film coming out, so fans of the series (or newcomers) may be keeping an eye out for themselves, or for gifting to those they think may be interested. I will provide the ISBNs for the best paperback, hardback, and deluxe editions. (Since The Lord of the Rings is often sold in a box set, I’ll provide that ISB as well) The ‘essentials’:   THE HOBBIT Paperback: 9780261103344  Hardback: 9780261103283 Deluxe: 9780007118359 "Bilbo Baggins enjoys a quiet and contented life, with no desire to travel far from the comforts of home; then one day the wizard Gandalf and a band of dwarves arrive unexpectedly and enlist his services – as a bur...

At long last, Harper Collins will be publishing a deluxe edition (slipcased, of course) of The Story of Kullervo! Usually, a deluxe edition of a Tolkien book published by Harper Collins is published on the exact same day as the hardback (and ebook) editions. Because Harper Collins hasn’t officially released the description of the deluxe edition contents, or a cover image, I’ll only provide the ISBN (a direct ‘link’ to that edition) and publication date: The ISBN is : 9780008166724 Publication date: Oct 20, 2016 It should cost you about the same price as other deluxe editions, so bear that in mind. I have a feeling that Tolkien’s image, ‘The Land of Pohja’, will be featured as a facsimile frontispiece illustration fold out sheet. Perhaps the emblem will be also on the slip-case and the book itself, as well. Either way, this is sure to be great news for collectors of the Harper Collins deluxe Tolkien books. [I’ll do another post about this once it’s been ‘official...

This was announced not long ago, but I hadn’t got around to posting about it. I apologize if anyone here was wanting a pre-order, and is not able to due to ‘limited pre-orders’…those amiibo / amiibo bundles sure do sell quick! Do keep your eyes peeled on Amazon and Best Buy in case more pre-orders open up. Then again, there’s always the game itself, and the amiibo shortly after launch (hopefully…) Anyway, so in their latest Direct, Nintendo announced The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (HD) for the wii u. It will be released March 4, 2016 . Nintendo stated that the amiibo that comes with the bundle (which will also include the soundtrack) will be able to function with the Zelda title they are developing for the wii u. Most likely, other Zelda-themed amiibo as well. [This and Wind Waker came out on the Gamecube but have been upgraded visually, and perhaps more, for the wii u.]. If I remember correctly, you can also use Zelda amiibo wit...