What’s new: A classic Tolkien tale, a ‘Sgt. Pepper’s’ commemoration, a new novel by Courtney Maum

BEREN AND LÚTHIEN, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The legend of a mortal man (Beren) who loves an immortal Elf (Lúthien) and captures a precious Silmaril jewel in order to win her hand, appeared again and again in Tolkien’s writings about Middle Earth, beginning in 1917. The author’s son Christopher compiles the versions in this stand-alone volume with illustrations by Alan Lee. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $30)

SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND: The Album, The Beatles and the World in 1967, by Brian Southall. Fifty years ago, the Beatles released the innovative concept album that held millions of young people rapt — and still fascinates. Southall’s commemorative book — chock-full of photos — looks at its songs, production, groundbreaking cover and reception, as well as the zeitgeist it was released into. (Imagine, $30)

TOUCH, by Courtney Maum. The second novel by the author of “I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You” is the satirical story of Sloane Jacobsen, a trend forecaster (“foreseer of ‘the swipe’ ”), who is hired by a high-tech giant, Mammoth. But Sloane’s instincts now tell her that humans actually crave more physical personal contact and are turning away from the virtual world — a message her new employer is not eager to hear. (Putnam, $26)