In "The Wisdom of the Shire," Noble Smith sheds a light on the life-changing ideas tucked away inside the classic works of J.R.R. Tolkien and his most beloved creation--the stouthearted Hobbits.
"The Wisdom of the Shire "draws important lessons from "The Lord of the Rings," "The Hobbit," "The Silmarillion," and other tales of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, and the many residents of Middle-earth. Author Noble Smith shows how a snug Hobbit-hole is actually just a state of mind and how even the smallest person can have the valor of a Rider of Rohan. He explores subjects dear to a Halfling's heart, such as beer, food, and friendship, as well as more serious concerns, such as courage, living in harmony with nature, and good versus evil.
How can simple pleasures such as gardening, taking long walks, and eating delicious meals with friends make you significantly happier? Why is the act of "giving" presents on your birthday instead of "getting" them such a revolutionary idea? What should you do when dealing with the Gollum in your life? And how can we carry the burden of our own "magic ring of power" without becoming devoured by it? For fans of Tolkien's books and their award-winning film adaptations by director Peter Jackson, "The Wisdon of the Shire" holds the answers to these and more of life's essential questions.

A prestigious anthology series, Best American Fantasy is guest edited by Ann & Jeff VanderMeer, with Matthew Cheney serving as the series editor, showcasing the best North American fantasy short fiction from the preceding year.

My father cleared his throat. He began to say, "They took her," but he never got past the first word, and had to start again. He said finally, "The Dreamies took her. She went with the Dreamies." Sooz was an extraordinary little girl. She grew into an extraordinary woman, with a gift given to her by a unicorn, after a battle with a griffin. The gift is more precious than she could have imagined but sets her on a dangerous path to rescue the sister she never knew she had from a land to which humans never go. But Sooz is no ordinary human. She may not be human at all. The one thing this changeling child does know is love, and courage. Combining the Hugo award-winning novelette Two Hearts with brand new story Sooz, The Way Home returns us to the world of The Last Unicorn. Peter S. Beagle brings the same humanity, poignancy and wisdom that makes his writing so magical.

Two lonely souls on opposite sides of life and death...
Arriving in the magnificent countryside of Dorset, England, to live with her mother and new stepfather, the young and very American Jenny Gluckstein has little interest in her historic surroundings, including that of the 700 acre Stourhead Farm her stepfather is restoring. Then she meets Tamsin, a kindred spirit that has haunted the lonely estate for 300 years, trapped by a hidden trauma she can't remember, and by a powerful evil even the spirits of night cannot name. To help her, Jenny must delve deeper into the dark world than any human has in centuries, and face a danger that will change her life forever.