Books

I Want to be a Tolkienologist — my review of David Day’s The World of Tolkien: Mythological Sources of The Lord of the Rings

The fact that it is still December and I'm already writing a review of a book I got for Christmas should tell you everything you need to know about how wonderful this book was. David Day's The World of Tolkien: Mythological Sources of The Lord of the Rings. (New York: Chartwell Books, Inc., 2013) is a 184-page-long,… Continue reading I Want to be a Tolkienologist — my review of David Day’s The World of Tolkien: Mythological Sources of The Lord of the Rings

Manuscripts

Nerd Candy: Doodles in Medieval Manuscripts

I loved medieval graffiti, and now I find out that there are medieval doodles, too! What more could a history nerd want? I just came across an article on Colossal (a very cool site, by the way, so be sure to follow it) about some work being done by Erik Kwakkel, a manuscript historian at Leiden University. Kwakkel is… Continue reading Nerd Candy: Doodles in Medieval Manuscripts

Other Stuff

William Shakespeare’s Dictionary (or not?)

My boss just brought this news item from last month to my attention. It seems that two book dealers in New York City have stumbled upon what they believe may be William Shakespeare's dictionary, complete with annotations and markings by the Bard himself. If that is true, it would be very exciting indeed! I would… Continue reading William Shakespeare’s Dictionary (or not?)