The Fireside

🎅🎄❄️🎁⛄ It's that time of year! I'm going to detail some Christmas Gift Ideas (not for me, for you - the reader) to spotlight certain items of fantasy anyone  would enjoy getting under their tree this year!  ` 2024 William Morrow Tolkien Collector's Editions First up, are these splendid editions of The Tolkien Trinity ( The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings  and The Silmarillion ) by William Morrow.  The ISBNs for each are as follows: The Hobbit:  9780063396203 The Fellowship of the Ring:  9780063412613 The Two Towers:  9780063412620 The Return of the King :  9780063412637 The Lord of the Rings  Boxed Set (includes a Map of Middle-earth in the set. the books do, but this is separate, detached map is only found (in terms of these titles) in the boxed set):  9780063421240   The Silmarillion :  9780063396197 These are attractive 'everyday' editions. They are dustjacket-less hardcovers, not super expensive, have foil stamped covers, ...

It's that time of year for me to suggest and feature some particular editions of Tolkien's works. I think this typically happens, because the films were released right around Christmas time. So, I've come to associate that time of the year with Tolkien (and fantasy overall, when there hasn't been much happening, Tolkien-wise). So let's get into it! First we have what I like to call the 'landscape' paperback covers. These are pretty basic, though are the 'footprint' for pretty much all editions and settings of the text. Also, the covers are different then what we typically see for a Tolkien book. Some think in a bad way, others in a good way. I believe it's due to many stating that they resemble general or average fantasy books, self-help books etc, as opposed to what we typically see for a Tolkien cover.  Boxed set ISBN:  9780008387754 The Hobbit  ISBN:  9780008376055 The Fellowship of the Ring  ISBN:  9780008376062 The Two Towers ISBN:  97800083...

  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 Ed...

  There's been lots of Tolkien posts on my blog lately! A few different editions here and there, and some other news. Now that we are now December, I only have two posts left about Tolkien for 2020: this one, and my 'look ahead' post near the end of the month. Expect the next post or two to follow after that when the new illustrated edition of The Silmarillion is published. For this post, however, I want to call attention to Tolkien.co.uk's 20% off sale. They usually have one around this time of year, and sometimes for Easter. As far as I'm aware, they ship worldwide. Now this 20% off sale is site-wide (at checkout, don't be alarmed if the price is listed the same), though I'd like to showcase certain editions, by category ,where applicable. There are a few different sections in this blog post to hopefully help you find an item, as well as lay out the various titles that exist within a certain format. DEFINITIVE PAPERBACKS These editions feature the defini...

Shortly after my most recent Tolkien post, I nosed around and had a peek here and there at various sections of the site. From now until December 25th , they are offering 25% off of some of their books.... but only on  http://www.tolkien.co.uk/ Here are some of the books featured, and ones I'd recommend especially this time of year...either for a fellow Tolkien fan, or yourself:  The Hobbit  (illustrated by Jemima Catlin) deluxe edition http://www.tolkien.co.uk/product/9780007497911/The+Hobbit The Lord of the Rings  50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition http://www.tolkien.co.uk/product/9780007182367/The+Lord+of+the+Rings The Silmarillion  30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition  http://www.tolkien.co.uk/product/9780007264896/The+Silmarillion

Chapters has recently highlighted some books. Due to the amount, I'm putting in a page break.

"What do you want for Christmas?" is something I get asked, or think about, as early as October. When I was younger, I was more accustomed to making 'wish lists' so that my family had an idea on what to get me. Also because my liking for a particular book format, special edition DVD, etc... Then, I got a job (either part time pay-the-tuition or full time, depending on where I was at in life) and bought my own stuff throughout the year.  Since I have a few readers on here, I will share the answer to that question on here so you have an idea of what Old Man Hawboldt wants this year. And you know, in case Santa reads this blog. 

Ending tomorrow is a box set sale at Chapters, Canada's national bookstore. You can save up to 50% on some boxed sets. To view them, go here http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/sale/DOTW-20-Box-Sets?s_campaign=Paid%3ASocial%3AFacebook%3ADOTW .  Highlights include: The Complete Far Side, The Hunger Games, Legend of Zelda strategy guide set, Divergent Complete series (including Four) , Harry Potter Complete series (adult edition), The Chronicles of Narnia , and of course, A Song of Ice and Fire (trade paperback). To check to see if a series is eligible, type in the name of it (or author, etc.) and 'box' or 'boxed' and you should get a few results showing the various editions or types of sets.

Again, in a series of blog posts, this is to help you out, the reader, for your shopping this time of year. I don't know what your budget is, but here are some suggestions I'm passing your way.....

This is the first in a series of posts of gift-giving suggestions, as we are close to (American) Thanksgiving, (and therefore, Black Friday ) as well as Christmas and other holidays in December. This post will look at books. I've suggested some ISBNs of ideal editions (cost, quality)

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

Nothing new to report, so keeping quiet lately...also been busy. I will most likely do a playoff update post on the weekend (with the compressed season it's harder to blog game-by-game.) . Anyway, there have been a few updates to my Amazon wishlist.

I have once again updated my 'Amazon Wishlist'. 

For those buying presents this season (most people, but one can never assume), I have some gift suggestions....Nothing beats something personal - whether it be something you make or you find just  the right item for just  the right person in a store.

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 ...

Well, it's Christmas time/ holiday season, so that means gift cards! And buying gifts for others, of course. So I'm dedicating this post to some gift ideas, whether it's buying for others or yourself. Not for me, but I am a bit biased in that they are things I like....Price range varies.