I have always been pro-hardcover my entire life. I only buy and collect hardcover editions of my books. That certainly goes for my Tolkien collection as well. Obviously I agree paperback is much more practical. However, I just like the feeling of a good hardcover book. The weight does not bother me at all. Just my opinion.
I have 5 different editions of the Silmarillion and LOTR and I read a different edition every year. Some people prefer not to read from their precious deluxe editions, but like you said, it’s an experience.
My favorite practical edition is the recent regular sewn hardcover with the Taniquetil painting on it. They are pretty light (much lighter than the illustrated editions), thin and have a sewn binding and foldout maps; although I've discovered I prefer my maps at the end papers or on the side.
For anyone curious about the booklet by Christopher Tolkien: it was also published in the 14th issue of Mallorn (the journal of the Tolkien Society) ib 1980 and is available for free on the internet
The Deluxe Hobbit in September will hopefully be the best of the three in this series. They have switched to the same printer as used by the Folio Society, to hopefully prevent any quality issues, that plagued the Deluxe Lord of the Rings and The Deluxe Silmarillion. If you shop around you can find these books much cheaper than $150, HarperCollins have a 40% off sale at the moment but it does not seem to include the Deluxe Silmarillion.
Very much enjoy your videos. I am a huge Tolkien fan. I have several of these books and different versions and I really like hearing your opinion. Certainly helps me make choices on next editions to purchase. Thank you for making these videos.
Always love your videos. My only "disagreement" is the "collectibility" of those editions. These are mass produced. There is little really collectible about them. Only perhaps a sense of personal satisfaction for owning a nicer edition, if this kind of aesthetic is your thing, and if you keep it on its shelf because somehow I doubt that the metal printing is going to last if the book gets the proper use of a reading copy
I'm a very tactile person, so for me, the quality of the paper, the binding, the covers, it all plays a part in how much I enjoy the expetience of reading. Rough, brittle mass markets definitely have an aesthetic quality that makes me nostalgic for the 80s and 90s, but as I get older I find myself enjoying reading a well-made hardcover book so much more - as long as it's not too big to comfortably hold. A5 is really the perfect book size, for me.
The pages of the cheaper (i.e paperback) versions turn yellow way too quickly though. I own a paperback copy of The Hobbit and I read only that one so to keep the hardback version clean and wholesome ^^
I’m planning on getting the whole Illustrated by the Author set when The Hobbit version comes later this year. Would you recommend the Deluxe versions or standard?
That’s great 😃 though it ultimately depends on how much you’re willing to spend. Deluxe versions tend to be quite pricey. The main difference between the two, besides the cost, are some additional features in the deluxe (text always remains the same), and also aesthetically they tend to look different. Aesthetics-wise, I have to say the deluxe editions have tended to look better.
When you can access every text every written from a small rectangle about 5mm thick, books become obsolete. The only reason to keep a personal library is as a show of status, "Hey look, I can afford all these expensive books that show how cultured I am and I have the space to keep them purely as decoration."
I very much doubt most book-readers find it comfortable to read a 500-page book in a phone or an e-book reader. There is a reason why the printing industry still exists today.
I have always been pro-hardcover my entire life. I only buy and collect hardcover editions of my books. That certainly goes for my Tolkien collection as well. Obviously I agree paperback is much more practical. However, I just like the feeling of a good hardcover book. The weight does not bother me at all. Just my opinion.
I have 5 different editions of the Silmarillion and LOTR and I read a different edition every year. Some people prefer not to read from their precious deluxe editions, but like you said, it’s an experience.
My favorite practical edition is the recent regular sewn hardcover with the Taniquetil painting on it. They are pretty light (much lighter than the illustrated editions), thin and have a sewn binding and foldout maps; although I've discovered I prefer my maps at the end papers or on the side.
For anyone curious about the booklet by Christopher Tolkien: it was also published in the 14th issue of Mallorn (the journal of the Tolkien Society) ib 1980 and is available for free on the internet
Hi man, love your content. I recently bought the Deluxe Edition Silmarillion. Still on shipment and i can’t wait to read it 😁
The Deluxe Hobbit in September will hopefully be the best of the three in this series. They have switched to the same printer as used by the Folio Society, to hopefully prevent any quality issues, that plagued the Deluxe Lord of the Rings and The Deluxe Silmarillion. If you shop around you can find these books much cheaper than $150, HarperCollins have a 40% off sale at the moment but it does not seem to include the Deluxe Silmarillion.
Do you know if they've resolved the rubbing spine issue on the silmarillion deluxe as well?
@@BradlehDadleh I would expect they have, bought have not seen any recent examples to know for sure.
Great to see you back! 🎉
This was fun. Looking forward to the new ones coming. 😀
Yay! Thank you!
Very much enjoy your videos. I am a huge Tolkien fan. I have several of these books and different versions and I really like hearing your opinion. Certainly helps me make choices on next editions to purchase. Thank you for making these videos.
Thank you so much for your kind words 🙂 keep collecting!
Always love your videos. My only "disagreement" is the "collectibility" of those editions. These are mass produced. There is little really collectible about them. Only perhaps a sense of personal satisfaction for owning a nicer edition, if this kind of aesthetic is your thing, and if you keep it on its shelf because somehow I doubt that the metal printing is going to last if the book gets the proper use of a reading copy
I'm a very tactile person, so for me, the quality of the paper, the binding, the covers, it all plays a part in how much I enjoy the expetience of reading. Rough, brittle mass markets definitely have an aesthetic quality that makes me nostalgic for the 80s and 90s, but as I get older I find myself enjoying reading a well-made hardcover book so much more - as long as it's not too big to comfortably hold. A5 is really the perfect book size, for me.
Great thoughts and thanks for sharing. Certainly agree on many of your points 👍
Great Video! Looking to pick up a copy of the deluxe version of the Silmarillion.
The pages of the cheaper (i.e paperback) versions turn yellow way too quickly though. I own a paperback copy of The Hobbit and I read only that one so to keep the hardback version clean and wholesome ^^
Phenomenal review mate love your content absolute legend 🔥🔥
Much appreciated!
Agreed, cheap paperbacks seem to be the best readers.
Sometimes I start reading with one edition and then switch to another. 😅
Still hoping for an updated reading order now that the Fall of Numenor has been published! Do you think you may get time to do that soon?
Hopefully yes 🙂
Hi! I love your videos. Can you tell more about C. S. Lewis books, please?
I’m planning on getting the whole Illustrated by the Author set when The Hobbit version comes later this year.
Would you recommend the Deluxe versions or standard?
That’s great 😃 though it ultimately depends on how much you’re willing to spend. Deluxe versions tend to be quite pricey. The main difference between the two, besides the cost, are some additional features in the deluxe (text always remains the same), and also aesthetically they tend to look different. Aesthetics-wise, I have to say the deluxe editions have tended to look better.
When you can access every text every written from a small rectangle about 5mm thick, books become obsolete. The only reason to keep a personal library is as a show of status, "Hey look, I can afford all these expensive books that show how cultured I am and I have the space to keep them purely as decoration."
I very much doubt most book-readers find it comfortable to read a 500-page book in a phone or an e-book reader. There is a reason why the printing industry still exists today.