Seasons Readings 🎄📚🎁
I've always found 'Christmas' (or 'winter' in general) and 'fantasy' go hand-in-hand for a few reasons I could write an entire post (perhaps someday I'll do that....), so that means it's about time for my annual Christmas ideas for you - for yourself, for shopping for others....this isn't neccessarily stuff I want....but stuff I recommend.
It's not just Tolkien, however, Tolkien is on this list, and I'll start there.
TOLKIEN
Paperbacks:
The Hobbit (paperback edition) ISBN 9780007458424
Description:
"The Hobbit is the unforgettable story of Bilbo, a peace-loving hobbit, who embarks on a strange and magical adventure.
A timeless classic.
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 burglar - on a dangerous expedition to raid the treasure-hoard of Smaug the dragon. Bilbo's life is never to be the same again.
Seldom has any book been so widely read and loved as J. R.R. Tolkien's classic tale, 'The Hobbit'. Since its first publication in 1937 it has remained in print to delight each new generation of readers all over the world, and its hero, Bilbo Baggins, has taken his place among the ranks of the immortals of fiction."
Why it's here:
I always suggest this version of The Hobbit as one to give someone as a gift who might like/have expressed reading Tolkien (or for yourself as another spare copy). It has that lovely cover illustration of Smaug by John Howe, chapter art by David Wyatt, and the maps by Tolkien. The printing is pretty nice for a paperback: good font size and type, and the paper is of pretty decent quality. It also matches the size of pretty much any paperback by the same publisher.
The Lord of the Rings (paperback boxed set) ISBN 9780358439196
Description:
"One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic fantasy has accumulated worldwide acclaim as the greatest adventure tale ever written. No other writer has created a world as distinct as Middle-earth, complete with its own geography, history, languages, and legends. And no one has created characters as endearing as Tolkien’s large-hearted, hairy-footed hobbits.
Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings continues to seize the imaginations of readers of all ages, and this three-volume paperback edition is designed to appeal to all.
This three-book paperback set is a perfect way to share the pleasures of Tolkien’s peerless fantasy."
Why it's here:
While it doesn't 100% match with the edition of The Hobbit featured above, they still look great together. The paper and font are very reader-friendly here, as is the artwork featured on the book covers and panels of the boxed set. If someone has expressed interest in reading Lord of the Rings, or you're after a great paperback edition for reding (yourself or the person you're buying for), you really can't go wrong with this set. A nice way to get the entire novel in one shot.
Hardcovers:
The Hobbit + The Lord of the Rings (hardcover boxed set) illustrated by Alan Lee. ISBN 9780008376109
Description:
"Since they were first published, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings have been two books people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, these works of sweeping fantasy have touched the hearts of young and old alike. Between them, nearly 150 million copies have been sold around the world. And no editions have proved more popular than the two that were illustrated by award-winning artist, Alan Lee - the Centenary edition of The Lord of the Rings and the 60th Anniversary edition of The Hobbit.
Now, the new hardback editions of these beautifully illustrated works have been collected together into one boxed set of four books. Readers will be able to follow the complete story of the Hobbits and their part in the quest for the Ring - beginning with Bilbo's fateful visit from Gandalf and culminating in the dramatic climax between Frodo and Gollum atop Mount Doom - while also enjoying over seventy full-page colour paintings and numerous illustrations which accompany this epic tale."
Why it's here:
This set of The Lord of the Rings (and The Hobbit) is one of the best currently offered. The books themselves are really lovely, and formatted quite well. If you want to get (or give) something nicer than a paperback, this is the way to do it. Worthy of note, is that there's bevy of matching editions of other books in this style (whether or not they have interior artwork), such as The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, Th 4 History of Middle-earth boxed sets, The Great Tales trilogy boxed set...all the way to Mr. Bliss!
Collector's editions of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.
~ The Hobbit ISBN 9780063396203
~ The Fellowship of the Ring ISBN 9780063412613
~ The Two Towers ISBN 9780063412620
~ The Return of the King ISBN 9780063412637
~ The Lord of the Rings Boxed Set ISBN 9780063421240
~ The Silmarillion ISBN 9780063396197
Description (edited/abridged for the entire format, as opposed to being for a certain book):
"A special collectible hardcover edition with a sumptuous cover design, foil stamping, stained edges, and ribbon bookmark."
Why it's here:
There are attractive, basic editions of the primary works. They're nicer than paperbacks, in hardcover...but they're nothing super fancy or high-end. The Lord of the Rings exists as a boxed set, and on its own (sometimes, one of the three may go out of print, making the boxed set the best way to go, or vice-versa).
Illustrated Deluxe Editions:
The Hobbit (deluxe illustrated edition) illustrated by Alan Lee. ISBN 9780008779900.
Description:
"Deluxe slipcased hardback edition of The Hobbit, illustrated throughout by acclaimed Tolkien artist, Alan Lee. Features exclusive new paintings and black & white designs appearing for the very first time, together with a removable art card and two foldout maps.
Whisked away from his comfortable, unambitious life in his hobbit-hole in Bag End by Gandalf the wizard and a band of dwarves, Bilbo Baggins finds himself caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Although quite reluctant to take part in this quest, Bilbo surprises even himself by his resourcefulness and his skill as a burglar!
Now, for the first time since its publication in 1997, this illustrated edition has been revised and expanded, with a number of brand-new paintings and black & white illustrations added by the artist.
Readers will be able to follow Bilbo's adventure from Bag End to the Lonely Mountain and back again - while also enjoying 30 full-page colour paintings and 50 pencil drawings and illustrations which accompany this enchanting tale, together with an exclusive new cover design by the artist.
This beautifully designed new hardback edition has additionally been enhanced for the first time with sprayed edges, and is housed in a custom-built slipcase stamped in silver foil with designs created exclusively by Alan Lee and which also features a unique hidden artwork. It is accompanied by a removable art card and two foldout maps drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien."
Why it's here:
This is likely the nicest and most prestigious edition of The Hobbit that you can own. Alan Lee's illustrated edition of The Hobbit gets the deluxe edition treatment, offering a superior, well-presented and well-formatted book. While we're a few years away from The Hobbit's 90th Anniversary, depending on what will be offered in 2027 (possibly 2026) this will be the 'de facto' 90th Anniversary Edition.
The Lord of the Rings (deluxe illustrated edition) illustrated by Alan Lee. ISBN 9780008669430.
Description:
"Three-volume, deluxe slipcased hardback set of The Lord of the Rings, illustrated throughout by acclaimed Tolkien artist, Alan Lee. Features exclusive new paintings and dozens of drawings appearing for the very first time, together with three removable art cards and two foldout maps.
Since it was first published, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, this work of sweeping fantasy has touched the hearts of young and old alike. Across its many editions, in the region of 100 million copies have been sold around the world. And no edition has proved more popular than the Centenary edition illustrated by award-winning artist, Alan Lee.
Now, for the first time since its publication in 1992, this illustrated edition has been revised and expanded, with a number of brand-new paintings and more than 50 illustrations added by the artist.
Readers will be able to follow the complete story of the Hobbits and their part in the quest of the Ring - beginning with Bilbo's Long-expected Party and culminating in the dramatic climax between Frodo and Gollum atop Mount Doom - while also enjoying more than fifty full-page colour paintings and numerous illustrations which accompany this epic tale.
This new hardback set of this beautifully illustrated work features brand-new cover designs by the artist. The three volumes have additionally been enhanced for the first time with sprayed edges, and are housed in a custom-built, illustrated slipcase stamped in silver foil with designs created exclusively by Alan Lee. They are accompanied by three removable art cards, and two foldout maps of Middle-earth drawn by Christopher Tolkien."
Why it's here:
Like The Hobbit above, this is currently, overall, the nicest edition of The Lord of the Rings that you can currently own. Special mention goes to the fact that it's a 3-book edition, vs a 1-book edition. Typically, more prestige editions of The Lord of the Rings have been presented in the 1-book format, so it's really nice to see it offered in 3. This offers a better reading experience on all fronts, with regards to the book itself.
Note about the illustrated deluxe editions: currently, a Ted Nasmith illustrated edition of The Silmarillion doesn't exist - yet.
C.S. LEWIS
The Chronicles of Narnia (75th Anniversary 1-book Hardcover Edition) ISBN 9780063451902
Description:
"In celebration of seventy-five years of the story that launched C. S. Lewis’s beloved fantasy series comes a deluxe seven-in-one edition of The Chronicles of Narnia. With gorgeous jacket specs and artwork by Cliff Nielsen, custom designed edges, and more, this beautiful new hardcover edition is the perfect addition to every bookshelf.
Fantastic creatures, heroic deeds, epic battles in the war between good and evil, and unforgettable adventures come together in this world where magic meets reality, which has been enchanting readers of all ages for over seventy-five years. The Chronicles of Narnia has become a part of the canon of classic literature and is one of the greatest fantasy series of all time.
This edition presents all seven books—The Magician's Nephew; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Horse and His Boy; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The Silver Chair; and The Last Battle—unabridged. The books appear according to C. S. Lewis's preferred order, and each chapter features an opening illustration by the original artist, Pauline Baynes.
This gorgeous hardcover package features:
- A shimmery metallic jacket
- Vivid and iconic endpapers
- Custom designed edges
- Foil stamped case design"
There a few different versions of The Chronicles of Narnia which have come out to celebrate its 75th Anniversary: a paperback boxed set, a hardcover boxed set, a 1-book hardcover edition, and 1-book deluxe edition. Of those, I feel that the 1-book hardcover is the overall best 'value'. It has some deluxe-ish features that the 7-book hardcover boxed set doesn't have (in terms of presentation) and isn't priced too high, considering that you get all 7 books at once.
You really can't go wrong with any of the 75th Anniversary releases....I'm just 'showcasing' one in particular (I'm also not here to post about the reading order.....)
Robert Jordan
The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time: Book 1) (paperback) ISBN 9781250768681
....and ISBNs for the rest of the series in this format!
The Great Hunt: 9780765334343
The Dragon Reborn: 9780312852481
The Shadow Rising: 9780765334671
Fires of Heaven: 9780765334640
Lord of Chaos: 9780765334657
A Crown of Swords: 9780765336460
The Path of Daggers: 9780765336477
Winter's Heart: 9780765337801
Crossroads of Twilight: 9780765337818
Knife of Dreams: 9780765337825
The Gathering Storm: 9780765337832
Towers of Midnight: 9780765337849
A Memory of Light: 9780765337856
Description (of Book 1):
"The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
When a vicious band of half-men, half beasts invade the Two Rivers seeking their master’s enemy, Moiraine persuades Rand al’Thor and his friends to leave their home and enter a larger unimaginable world filled with dangers waiting in the shadows and in the light."
The Wheel of time is one of - if not the - best fantasies since The Lord of the Rings. Indeed, it may start off being similar to the first chunk of The Lord of the Rings, but it turns into its own thing. It definitely has similar traits throughout the series, and what people typically think of or are after when they think 'fantasy.' Indeed, there's the Earthsea Cycle and Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire....but for that 'traditional fantasy itch' The Wheel of Time has you covered.
I've showcased thee particular editions, as they are large, lovely paperbacks. Special mention is that The Eye of the World features the 'Ravens' prologue, in addition to the rest of the usual chapters.
Summary
So there you have it! I hope that you enjoyed my list of fantasy-themed suggestions for this year. Lots of great and various choices which I hope will come in handy!
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