We all love to give and receive. The old saying goes that ‘It’s the thought that counts,’ and while nobody can argue with such a noble sentiment, perhaps some thoughts are better than others. For instance, if the gift that demonstrates that your ‘thought’ included consideration that your intended recipient is a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, it will probably be more appreciated than the one that prompts you to buy a big-box store gift certificate. So what is the perfect gift for the Tolkien reader this year? We have three suggestions. Continue reading “Christmas gift suggestions for Tolkien fans”

Miranda Otto (born 16 December 1967) is an Australian actress. The daughter of actors Barry and Lindsay Otto and the sister of Gracie Otto, she began acting at age nineteen, and has performed in a variety of low-budget and major studio films.

Her first major film appearance was in the 1986 film Emma’s War, in which she played a teenager who moves to Australia’s bush country during World War II. After a decade of critically acclaimed roles in Australian films, she gained Hollywood’s attention after appearing in supporting roles in The Thin Red Line (1998) and What Lies Beneath (2000). Her breakthrough role was in 2002, when her character Éowyn appeared in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Her private life, including her relationships with actors Richard Roxburgh and Peter O’Brien, has been much discussed in the media. In 2008, she starred in the now-cancelled American television series Cashmere Mafia and will appear in the film In Her Skin.

Ian Collier, Tolkien Society Publicity Officer writes: At 9pm (local times) on January 3rd fans around the world are invited to raise a glass and toast J.R.R. Tolkien’s Birthday. The Tolkien Society has some webpages where fans across the globe can let other fans know where they’ll be celebrating if they’re hosting a party, or just what particular tipple they’ll be raising. Fans will be able to check the webpage and see who is celebrating where and if they wish to get in touch and join in. Continue reading “Tolkien Birthday Toast News”

Newswise — The December 2008 issue of Discover magazine included in its top 100 science stories of the year studies that back the “new species” theory of the 18,000-year-old hominid found on the Indonesian island of Flores in 2004. The discovery of Homo floresiensis, nicknamed the “the hobbit” because of its diminutive size and strikingly large feet, remains controversial and could lead to rewriting the story of human evolution. Stony Brook University paleoanthropologists William Jungers, Ph.D., and Susan Larson, Ph.D., are among the researchers who suggest the hobbit represents a different species of human. “Hobbit” Controversy Makes Top 100 Science Stories