J.R.R. Tolkien: The Father of Modern Fantasy
Pocket Portraits series
Hardcover | Kindle Edition | Audiobook
By Don Marshall; illustrated by Kim Arrington
Publisher: Adams Media
Release Date: November 25, 2025

While grading exam papers one day in 1930, J.R.R. Tolkien jotted down what would became one of the most famous literary opening lines of all time: “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” Inspired by Norse mythology and fairy stories, the then-professor spun a tale from that single line that became his first published work, 1937’s The Hobbit, which introduced the masses to his fantasy world of Middle-earth.

In J.R.R. Tolkien: The Father of Modern Fantasy, one of three Pocket Portraits mini-biographies released this year by Adams Media, author Don Marshall explores what motivated the most influential fantasy writer of modern times to craft an entire universe, complete with its own geography, creatures, histories, and invented new languages, such as Elvish.

Well met and happy holidays, dear readers! It is time again for my annual dive into what Dungeons & Dragons items are new and necessary for this gift-giving season. Alright, maybe not necessary, but close to it, right? I, personally, could not go a year without giving a new gaming guide or set of dice to a friend or family member and it quite literally boggles my mind that everyone is not afflicted with this same addiction. But, as I get older, I see that many people just do not enjoy life the way some of us do, so their loss, I suppose.

Below this paragraph of rambling sentences is a not-even-close-to-complete list of new gaming-related merchandise that I found interesting or wondrous. We have gotten new releases for game guides, new adventures, and new accessories that will meet the needs of many. I hope you find something that appeals to you in here, as I did. I own most of these, but only recently saw a couple of the ones in the quick picks, so I am waiting to see if I receive them as gifts prior to buying anything else. My wife and I have a deal where we cannot buy from certain categories after Halloween, to allow the other to pick some awesome gifts out without fear of duplicates. But enough of my musings, here are my choices for this year’s D&D or RPG products I would recommend.

Frankenstein: The Complete Screenplay: Written and Directed by Guillermo del Toro
Hardcover
By Guillermo del Toro; Foreword by Guillermo del Toro
Publisher: Insight Editions
Release Date: November 25, 2025

Social media is all abuzz right now with accolades for writer/director Guillermo del Toro‘s Frankenstein. And with good reason: The new film, starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth, is a visually stunning masterpiece from the visionary filmmaker. Though the Del Toro’s take is not entirely faithful to Mary Shelley’s 1818 classic novel, his reimagining certainly captures the spirit of the original tale about a scientist’s impetuous obsession with creating life from death. Now, Insight Editions has released Frankenstein: The Complete Screenplay: Written and Directed by Guillermo del Toro, a 240-page oversized hardcover that reproduces the director’s full shooting script.

Greetings, Doomers! Black Friday shopping started off as a huge annual sale on the day after Thanksgiving, then it slowly encroached upon Thanksgiving night, and now it seems like it’s a week-long event. So to help you get in on some of those early sales, we present to you our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide!

Now, if I’m the one putting together the Holiday Gift Guide (and this year, I am), it’s going to be book-centric, hence why you’ll see a lot of pictures of books here. BUT, I’ve also included a lot of other items, such as collectibles, games, toys, movies/TV, action figures, housewares, coloring books, cookbooks, tarot cards, journals, and more. While the spotlight selections were all released in 2025, items listed under each “related/similar” section might also be from prior to 2025, as are the Buzzworthy Books (older titles that are getting new buzz this year).

So check out our expanded Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Books, Games, Collectibles & More for our favorite holiday gift picks for the people in your life.

Superman: The Art and Making of the Film
Hardcover | Kindle Edition
By James Field
Introduction by James Gunn; Foreword by David Corenswet
Publisher: Abrams Books
Release Date: November 18, 2025

DC Films has made several noble attempts over the years to revamp their cinematic universe (DCU) in what’s become a decade-long struggle to compete with Marvel Studios’ massively successful MCU. Controversy plagued 2017’s Justice League, while recent franchise sequels — Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023), and Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) — all underperformed at the box office. But after the recent formation of DC Studios with filmmaker James Gunn as its co-CEO, things are starting to look up for the DCU. Gunn, the creative force behind the MCU’s popular Guardians Of The Galaxy movies, wrote and directed this summer’s Superman, a relaunch that proved to be both a box office success and a big hit with audiences. Now, Abrams Books is giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the superhero blockbuster with Superman: The Art and Making of the Film.