The Fireside

  Christmas is coming up, and it's a magical time of year - not even a virus can stop that. I have a strong association of fantasy with Christmas: it's the time of year that I first read The Hobbit (and The Lord of the Rings not long after), as well as it was when all three of the films had come out. As is my seemingly annual tradition, I'm going to suggest some great Tolkien editions for gifting - whether for someone on your list, or yourself. THE HOBBIT ('young edition') ISBN: 9780007458424 I recommend this edition as often as I can. It's great for a few reasons: - it goes with other Tolkien paperbacks quite well - it's a great way to get someone started on Tolkien that doesn't own any of his books yet and has expressed an interest - it's also the only edition to offer David Wyatt's chapter illustrations. I might be biased towards those, as the first edition of The Hobbit that I've read/owned featured his chapter illustrations. Also, ...

So far I posted two gift idea posts to help YOU out to shop, and will do a few more. But for now, I'm going to share a few things off my Amazon list....

With renewed interest in Tolkien due to the Hobbit films, here is a gift option for shoppers come Thanksgiving / Christmas [I will do a Christmas idea post in November or December sometime. This ideas are not for myself.]

My Birthday is coming... July 11. Those who read this blog wishing to get me a gift, I have some suggestions for you.....

On occasion I mention that I have a wishlist up on Amazon.ca. I still do, but wanted to let you know that it's been updated slightly. You may notice the same items being on it. These are things I want to get until...well, I eventually have them! The point of this is to show you my tastes, and also if I have any readers or friends who wish to gift me something for birthday, Christmas, etc...or just because, they can buy the item off of the list through the link, pay for it, and it'll get sent to me. Hand if you live in another part of the country, or another country. I'm not expecting anything at all. Call it a shopping list for myself that I want you to see. The list is here:  http://www.amazon.ca/registry/wishlist/334OHARFDHZKQ/ref=cm_wl_search_1 It can be viewed by 'type' (book, music...) or how badly I want the items. Blu-rays are at the bottom because sad to say, I don't have a blu-ray player yet, or even a HD TV (LED is what I'm after)! But those ...

Wow. I had no idea so many people read this blog. I'm definitely grateful to attract so many people of my thoughts of happenings in the entertainment field (sports (hockey & play off football) books, movies, TV music etc..) Currently, I'm at 400 pageviews and counting. So thank you to readers in Canada, US, Russia, Germany, Belgium... I planned to post this quick little snippet, but figure I'd combine it with my thank you post for length: an author I follow has a wishlist on amazon for Magic Cards. I've adopted two methods from authors I like: George R.R. Martin posts about football, so every so often I'll post about sports myself. Brandon Sanderson, referenced above, has an Amazon wishlist. Well, I've made one myself. How it works is this: you see my list, and you buy the item online by clicking it on my list, select me as a recieptant etc.. and it gets delivered to me. So it's kind of like an online gift delivery service. Am I expecting you to ...