The Fireside

  Recently, it was announced that The History of Middle-earth 12-book series (13, which includes Index ) will be getting new hardback editions.  Thanks to various posters and users on the TCG (Tolkien Collector Guide) forums and Reddit, I have further info to pass along as well.  This is the first of four boxed sets coming out. What follows is the official description (and ISBN) for set 1 of 4: First in a series of hardback boxed sets celebrating the literary achievement of Christopher Tolkien, featuring double-sided dustjackets. Set 1 contains special editions of THE SILMARILLION and UNFINISHED TALES reproducing the first edition text, together with the two volumes of THE BOOK OF LOST TALES. The Silmarillion  is an account of the Elder Days, of the First Age of Tolkien’s World. It is the ancient drama to which the characters in  The Lord of the Rings  look back, and in whose events some of them, such as Elrond and Galadriel, took part. The tales of  T...

  Well, it's Hobbit Day!  That is the most celebrated day (and the week, as well) across the Tolkien fandom. How one celebrates is entirely up to them. It can range anywhere from going on a nice nature walk, having a cup of tea, having a hobbit-y meal (complete with ale). Some make a day of it, with doing marathons of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings  trilogy, etc. However you celebrate, let's take a look at the book at which the day is named after (note that day isn't named after "THE" Hobbit , the book, but rather the race in Tolkien's worlds). The Hobbit  was responsible for The Lord of the Rings  existing, so, in a way, it was really The Hobbit  that re-defined the fantasy genre. Not to undermine The Lord of the Rings , but if The Hobbit didn't exist first.....  So there are a few ways to celebrate, book-wise.  Of course, one can (re)read the book itself, or examine some titles about it or related to it.  There are a wide variety of edit...