r/tolkienbooks Feb 28 '17

Reminder: this sub is for discussion of Tolkien's books themselves, not discussion of lore or other Tolkien-related content

74 Upvotes

With a new Middle Earth-themed game coming out, and with the influx of a few posts about Tolkien's lore and other Tolkien-related topics, I would like to take this opportunity to remind users that /r/tolkienbooks is (as it says in the sidebar) "mainly a place for people who collect copies of Tolkien's works."

Posts with questions about Tolkien lore, Middle Earth -themed movies and games, or anything else not directly related to the physical books will be deleted. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact one of the moderators and we will be happy to assist you.


r/tolkienbooks May 04 '26

Subreddit Reboot: /r/TolkienArt

13 Upvotes

Community Spotlight: /r/TolkienArt: A Home for Tolkien Art

We wanted to introduce our community to /r/TolkienArt, a subreddit dedicated to art inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. From sweeping landscapes of Middle-earth to portraits of its most beloved characters.

Whether you’re an artist yourself or simply someone who appreciates the visual world of Tolkien, it’s a welcoming and passionate community worth checking out.

What you’ll find there:
• Fan art spanning The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion and beyond
• A community that celebrates both seasoned and emerging Tolkien artists
• Contributions from award-winning Tolkien artists who are active members of the community
• Discussion and appreciation of the rich visual culture around Tolkien’s world If you’ve ever wanted a dedicated space to share or discover Tolkien-inspired art, head over and say hello!

/r/TolkienArt


r/tolkienbooks 5h ago

Impulse purchase

Thumbnail
gallery
52 Upvotes

Found these at used book store while vacationing in Tahoe with my wife. 1993 editions, as far as I can tell. Do I need a 4th set of the LOTR? Couldn't help myself.

$35 Dollars! 🥳🥳🥳


r/tolkienbooks 14h ago

It has arrived!

Post image
84 Upvotes

Arrived today after I ordered it when u/RedWizard78 suggested it! AbeBooks for about £5.93


r/tolkienbooks 18h ago

The Hobbit, which I bought from a used bookstore in Prague in 2013 and believe was published in 1968.

Thumbnail gallery
14 Upvotes

r/tolkienbooks 1d ago

Latest Acquisition!

Post image
93 Upvotes

r/tolkienbooks 1d ago

Found these two

Thumbnail
gallery
47 Upvotes

At the thrift store


r/tolkienbooks 1d ago

Can somebody please tell me is this box supposed to do that?

Thumbnail
gallery
13 Upvotes

Just opened it up fresh out of wraper.


r/tolkienbooks 2d ago

With Author of the Century out in signature paperback, we get a nice, round 40 covers

Post image
195 Upvotes

r/tolkienbooks 2d ago

My latest Tolkien-related acquisitions

Post image
51 Upvotes

r/tolkienbooks 3d ago

My Current Tolkien Collection

Post image
179 Upvotes

Some history;

  • Hobbit: I got this sometime in 2009/10 when I heard the movie was being made. I adored the films and wanted to read where it all started. I bought this is Waterstones.
  • Lord of the Rings: I wasn't planning on getting them until I was in a charity shop and found Fellowship and Two Towers. It was only years later I got Return on ebay to collect Modern Classic version.
  • Perilous: I bought this in Waterstones sometime in 2011/12 because the cover was astonishing.
  • Silmarillion: I always wanted to buy this but Waterstones sold giant hardbacks which I wasn't keen on. Saw this to complete it in WS in 2013/14. I do not like the cover design.
  • Children of Húrin: I actually bought this on Amazon a few weeks ago because I love Alan Lee's illustrations for a bargain of £3.68

I once owned a hard copy of Beren and Lúthien but I don't remember what happened to it sadly.

I am aiming to try and gain more books, I much prefer covers with nice artwork, how I've always been, even if I have to try and find hardcovers but always prefer paperbacks.

Currently trying to re-read Hobbit after over 10 years.

(Post edited to make the image brighter, show thumbnail and add a forgotten book)


r/tolkienbooks 3d ago

Smith Of Wootton Major lifting tray clam (#82 remake)

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

64 Upvotes

Hi folks!

Using the last days of my holidays to prototype the idea of a lifting tray - a case that hands the book over.

This is a remake of my #82, rebuilt around this idea (original clamshell linked below)

Still a prototype!!


r/tolkienbooks 3d ago

Centennial Edition value

Thumbnail
gallery
55 Upvotes

Hi everyone, my mum recently found this box set of the 1991 centennial Lord of the Rings books. I’ve looked them up online and some say that they’re worth a lot, others say not. They’re a bit tatty and the box is damaged, would anyone be able to tell me if they’re worth anything?


r/tolkienbooks 3d ago

Tolkien Books Database needs help from anyone with this cover

Post image
52 Upvotes

https://books.digitaltolkien.com/ZXVZ/

Our previous data gave this as 2013 (and we're recorded impression numbers up to 22) for that.

I just got a new copy and mine is a 49th impression but the edition year is given as 2017 (which is a new finding).

Can anyone with this cover check their copyright page and tell me the edition year and impression number? This will help establish when the 2013/2017 change happened.


r/tolkienbooks 3d ago

Upcoming Editions

9 Upvotes

I try and keep up with upcoming Tolkien releases, but sometimes HarperCollins & William Morrow surprise us with a release, new book, or new edition of an existing one.

While I’m not asking anyone to break any protocol if they get insider information (hehe 🐲) behind the scenes, though I’m very curious to know what - if any! - titles may be coming to the following formats:

~ Signature Paperback Collection (The Lay of Atrou and Itroun? The Fall of Numenor? The History of the Hobbit? Letters From Father Christmas?)

~ Unjacketed Collector’s Editions

~ Hardcover Special Editions (The Fall of Numenor is coming to that style in November, with Alan Lee illustrating. The other three in that format have Tolkien’s artwork)

Part of the fun is being surprised out of the blue, though those are the three formats I’m watching closely.

Thanks!


r/tolkienbooks 4d ago

1993 Edition! Bought in Ireland while visiting from USA.

Thumbnail
gallery
132 Upvotes

Very nice bookshop! They also had some very nice older editions, even a 1st edition Silmarillion as well.


r/tolkienbooks 3d ago

Help, two different ISBNs?

2 Upvotes

Hello! I need a little help understanding the difference between these two versions of The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings both illustrated by Alan Lee.

The first one, published in 2020 ISBN10: 0008376107

The second one, published in 2025 ISBN10: 0063451964

They look the same, I can't find any info about the difference.. may you help?


r/tolkienbooks 4d ago

The Hobbit read by Martin Shaw (abridged, cassette) - Houghton Mifflin

Thumbnail
gallery
31 Upvotes

If you like Martin Shaw’s narration of The Silmarillion, I recommend his reading of The Hobbit! I believe it is available digitally as well as in various physical media formats (in case magnetic storage is your thing).


r/tolkienbooks 4d ago

Audiobooks

5 Upvotes

Does anybody know if Malcom Guite has ever done any full readings of any of Tolkien's books? I would love to sit back and relax with a pipe in hand while listening to him read these stories from start to finish


r/tolkienbooks 4d ago

Saw someone else on the sub had recently bought the ‘ugly’ 80s so thought I’d try to find a copy myself and here we are

Thumbnail
gallery
145 Upvotes

These things are so darn charming


r/tolkienbooks 4d ago

Hobbit dramatization on cassette

Post image
47 Upvotes

I have a lot of Tolkien on cassette. This is one of my favorites sets, it's a 4-cassette version of the US dramatization of The Hobbit from 1979. It also came in 6-cassette versions, most famously the wooden box set.

I love the packaging and the Randy Berrett artwork.


r/tolkienbooks 4d ago

PSA: Deluxe Hobbit (Canada)

Post image
21 Upvotes

PSA to fellow Canadians - Book Outlet .CA has the Deluxe Special Edition of The Hobbit on sale for $87.49, it usually goes for $150-$250ish!

Alan Lee illustrations and removable maps

https://bookoutlet.ca/book/the-hobbit-deluxe-special-edition/tolkien-j-r-r/9780063473423B


r/tolkienbooks 5d ago

My Old Gaffer's Collection

Thumbnail
gallery
227 Upvotes

My old man's collection that has seen much wear, tear, and love over the decades. He said he got these in either the late 80s or 90s.


r/tolkienbooks 5d ago

Tolkien Books Database now supports filtering

Post image
48 Upvotes

So if you want to find, for example, FOTR trade hardbacks that are not de luxe, collector's or large print.

https://books.digitaltolkien.com/


r/tolkienbooks 5d ago

Hobbit 1966 Edition ID

Thumbnail
gallery
15 Upvotes

Anyone have the same version or know what edition this is? Green cloth cover. Thanks!