2022 Tolkien Gift Ideas

 

The time has come for me to issue my annual gift ideas relating to Tolkien. It should be noted that most of these don't change - primarily due to some of them being....everlasting, I suppose you could say. 

There are some new items! But first, the 'classics' (meaning ones I've been on about for a few years in a row now!)

Starter Paperbacks/Extra Copies:

THE HOBBIT



ISBN 9780007458424

Size-wise matches up with all other Tolkien paperbacks. Fantastic 'starter edition' to get someone new to Tolkien, or if you need another paperback copy.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS

Part 1:



ISBN: 9780008376062



Part 2:

ISBN: 9780008376079



Part 3:

ISBN: 9780008376086

These are great paperback editions of The Lord of the Rings. Nothing special or fancy, but a good 'template' paperback set. The covers uses 'landscape style', which works with these editions, as the story is also about the physical world that the story is set in. Great 'starter' editions.

Nice Editions

THE HOBBIT:



ISBN: 9780395177112

This edition of The Hobbit is a tier above a hardback, in terms of quality and appearance. It comes with a slipcase, though isn't pricey like some other slipcased editions of Tolkien books can be. So this is recommended gift-wise, as it's affordable, but not doesn't look or feel low-end. Costs a bit more than a regular hardback would, though won't set you as far back as some other slipcased editions.

Definitely for someone that enjoys nice books (the physical item) and someone you know that likes, or will like, Tolkien.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS:



ISBN: 9780007525546

I can't say enough good things about the most-recent 1-book illustrated edition of The Lord of the Rings by Alan Lee. Is it the perfect edition?? Well, that all depends on what you - or person you're after - is looking to get out of this.

Here's the facts:

~ it's all of The Lord of the Rings on one shot
~ it's hardback
~ it's illustrated
~ it's presented well: slipcase, ribbon-marker, fold-out art print, great maps on the endpapers....

Though this is quite hefty: you wouldn't want to take this out of the house, due to the size,w eight etc. (I personally, I don't any of my hardbacks out of the house!). Still, any Tolkien fan would definitely appreciate this, or anyone who is after a 'nice edition.'



Part 1:

ISBN: 9780008567125



Part 2:

ISBN: 9780008567132



Part 3:

ISBN: 9780008567149

While not as nice as the 1-book illustrated above (or other hardback editions) a hardback set that's decent for reading are the non-(dust)jacketed copies pictured above. Simple, yet elegant in their own way, this is a good cost-effective way to get someone a set that's nicer than paperback. Price-wise, they aren't as costly as other hardbacks (being slightly cheaper) making them a good 'in between' in terms of price and quality for somewhere in the happy medium between a paperback and hardback. Nice of this to exist as an option. There's nothing 'noteworthy' about these editions (beyond the well-designed covers), just a good, simple, cost-effective way to get them, in a format a bit nicer than a paperback.

These would go well with the green slipcased Hobbit further up: a good way to get someone a basic, yet appealing, copy of the works, without getting too expensive to do so.

New Releases:

OK, so now that I've gotten my 'choices' out of the way, what's new and notable this year?? There are the following titles/formats. Because I'm re-capping what's new, I won't say anything for or against what follows:



The Silmarillion Illustrated by the Author Edition. This matches last year's Lord of the Rings (and, next year's Hobbit....?). It exists as a standard hardback, and slipcased edition. US fans, there will likely be a slipcased edition by your publisher next fall.



The 'big' Tolkien book this year is The Fall of Numenor, which exists as a standard hardback and slipcased edition. Artwork and any prefaces, etc aside, all the words by Tolkien exist elsewhere: this books just collects most things about The Second Age and Numenor into its own book.

So those are pretty much the note-worthy items I'd like to call attention to this Christmas season!

Expect another Tolkien-related blog post to follow sometime before 2023 hits.