Ursina's Shelf - Looking forward to 2023
Issue 58
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the newsletter’s new home on Substack (link to home page). If you spot a glitch or an opportunity for improvement, please let me know!
In this issue, I’d like to look ahead to some of the bookish activities I am looking forward to in the new year. Also I plan to send the newsletter less strictly on its usual bi-weekly frequency this year.
Three nerdy journeys ahead
Rediscovering Tolkien with the Help of The Tolkien Professor podcast
Description: The Tolkien Professor is a podcast series hosted by medieval literature professor Corey Olsen about—well—all things Tolkien from The Hobbit to his letters. Link to the podcast on Spotify here.
My take: I fell in love with Middle Earth 21 years ago when my dear friend Deanna recommended The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring to me to get up to speed for the imminent release of the first movies. I was an immediate fan and even tried to understand The Silmarillion (emphasis on the word ‘tried’). Many years have passed with an occasional Hobbit reread and not much else. The TV series Rings of Power from this fall awoke my desire to revisit these stories. I am loving the accompaniment of the jovial professor with a depth of knowledge and an easy voice and style. I am already 27 episodes in and actually understanding most of The Silmarillion this time around. You can definitely listen to this pod without rereading the books too.
Bonus tip: If you loved the movies, please watch this hilarious rap by Stephen Colbert and friends, celebrating the trilogy’s 20th anniversary.
Star Wars: The Imperial Trilogy by Timothy Zahn
Description: The franchise strikes back with more stories in movies, TV series, comics, and, yes, novels. This specific set of novels centers around the villain Thrawn, a Chiss Imperial Officer, who takes particular care to understand his enemies, and is much more than a two-dimensional bad guy. (Chiss is a near-human sentient species with blue skin).
My take: These novels are frequently recommended for first-time readers of Star Wars and Thrawn will also have his live-action debut later in the year in the Ashoka series. I’ve heard great things and cannot wait to give it a try.
Bonus tip: If you would like to spend more time in the Star Wars universe but with less of a commitment, try the graphic novel depiction of the much better original script for Episode 9 (previously recommended in issue 38).
Letters from Watson newsletter on substack
Description: This email newsletter will allow subscribers to read all of Sherlock Holmes’ short stories over the course of a year in bite-sized emails. Many of us likely read the Hound of the Baskervilles or maybe even some of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s other stories about one of the most infamous detectives, but this will allow us all to dive deep into the world of Sherlock Holmes.
My take: I have been a Watson and Holmes fan since receiving my first copy, and through new numerous films and TV series, but I have not managed to read everything yet and this year the works will be in the public domain making them easy to access in such a convenient format. Thank you to Julie for the recommendation.
Bonus take: I can also highly recommend the Sherlock Holmes audiobooks read by Stephen Fry. I listened to a few of these while sick a few years ago and it was just perfect.
Currently reading: The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Maybe you’d like to join me in one of these adventures? Let me know, I’d be excited to share and discuss together.
And now I wish you all a Happy New Year full of joy, discovery, and great reads!
I just read The Hobbit with my kids a few months ago (my second time through). So good. I’ve read the Trilogy too, but never jumped into The Silmarillion. This podcast sounds great.