"Reading Order for The Lord of the Rings Books Revealed"

J.R.R. Tolkien's epic Lord of the Rings saga stands as a cornerstone in the fantasy genre, inspiring one of the most celebrated film trilogies of all time. With its timeless themes of friendship and heroism, the saga continues to captivate new generations, especially with the excitement surrounding the second season of Rings of Power and the announcement of a new Lord of the Rings movie set for 2026. Now is the perfect time to delve into the expansive world of Middle-earth.

For those new to Tolkien’s universe, or seasoned fans looking to expand their collection, we offer a comprehensive guide on how to read the books in both chronological and publication order. So, prepare yourself for an unforgettable journey through Middle-earth.

How Many The Lord of the Rings Books Are There in the Series?

Tolkien’s main Middle-earth saga consists of four books: The Hobbit and the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings, namely The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Additionally, numerous companion books have been published posthumously, and we've included the seven most significant ones in our list.

Lord of the Rings Book Sets

For newcomers or collectors looking to enhance their library, several exquisite book sets are available. Our top pick is the leather-bound illustrated editions, but there's a wide variety of styles to suit different tastes.

The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Edition

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The Hobbit And The Lord Of The Rings: Deluxe Pocket Boxed Set

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The Silmarillion Deluxe Illustrated Edition

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The Hobbit Deluxe Illustrated Edition

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The Lord of the Rings Books Reading Order

We've organized Tolkien’s Middle-earth works into two categories: the main saga and additional readings. The main saga, consisting of The Hobbit and the three Lord of the Rings volumes, follows the narrative chronology of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. The additional readings, published after Tolkien's death, are listed by publication date.

Our plot summaries are designed to be spoiler-free, focusing on broad strokes and character introductions for those new to the series.

1. The Hobbit

The Hobbit marks the beginning of Tolkien's Middle-earth journey, both in its internal timeline and in the real world, published in 1937. This enchanting tale follows Bilbo Baggins as he joins Thorin and Company—a group comprising Bilbo, Gandalf, and thirteen dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield—in their quest to reclaim the dwarves' ancestral mountain home from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, readers are introduced to Gollum and learn how Bilbo obtains the One Ring. The adventure culminates in the epic Battle of Five Armies.

2. The Fellowship of the Ring

Seventeen years after The Hobbit, Tolkien released the first volume of The Lord of the Rings in 1954. Originally conceived as a single narrative, it was eventually divided into three volumes due to its length. The story begins with Bilbo's 111th birthday, where he leaves the One Ring to Frodo. A significant 17-year gap follows before Gandalf convinces Frodo to leave the Shire with the ring.

Frodo is soon joined by a diverse group of companions, forming the Fellowship of the Ring. Their mission is to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor. By the end of this volume, Frodo faces a betrayal and decides to continue his quest alone, accompanied only by the loyal Samwise.

3. The Two Towers

The Two Towers, the second volume published in 1954, continues the saga with the Fellowship now split into two groups: Frodo and Sam on one path, and the rest of the members on another. While part of the Fellowship battles orcs and confronts the corrupted wizard Saruman, Frodo and Sam, guided by Gollum, press forward toward Mordor.

4. The Return of the King

The final volume, published in 1955, brings the Fellowship’s journey to a dramatic close. As the heroes face Sauron's dark forces, Sam and Frodo reach the climax of their quest. Following the main storyline, the hobbits confront a final threat in the Shire, a scene not included in the film adaptation. The book concludes with the resolution of each character's fate, marking the end of Frodo's journey.

Additional LotR Reading

5. The Silmarillion

The Silmarillion

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The Silmarillion, published posthumously in 1977 and edited by Christopher Tolkien, offers a collection of myths and legends that span the creation of Arda to the Third Age, encompassing the era of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

6. Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth

Unfinished Tales Of Númenor And Middle-Earth

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Unfinished Tales, published in 1980 and edited by Christopher Tolkien, contains over a dozen stories and histories of Middle-earth, providing deeper insights into the origins of the wizards, the alliance between Gondor and Rohan, Gandalf's machinations in The Hobbit, and Sauron's quest for the One Ring.

7. The History of Middle-earth

The Complete History of Middle-Earth

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The History of Middle-earth, a twelve-volume series published between 1983 and 1996 and edited by Christopher Tolkien, offers a comprehensive analysis of The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and other works. Note that analyses of The Hobbit are found separately in The History of The Hobbit, edited by John D. Rateliff and published in 2007.

8. The Children of Húrin

The Children of Hurin

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The Children of Húrin, published in 2007 and edited by Christopher Tolkien, expands on the story of Túrin Turambar from The Silmarillion. Set in the First Age, it explores the tragic consequences of Húrin’s defiance against Morgoth.

9. Beren and Lúthien

Beren And Lúthien

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Beren and Lúthien, published in 2017 and edited by Christopher Tolkien, tells the romantic tale of the mortal man Beren and the immortal Elf Lúthien during the First Age. Their story, drawn from various versions compiled by Christopher, is deeply personal to Tolkien, inspired by his own love story with his wife Edith.

10. The Fall of Gondolin

The Fall Of Gondolin

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The Fall of Gondolin, published in 2018 and the last Middle-earth novel edited by Christopher Tolkien, presents the complete tale of Tuor and the divine mission to Gondolin. This story connects to The Lord of the Rings through Tuor’s son Eärendil, father of Elrond, who plays a pivotal role in the Fellowship's formation.

11. The Fall of Númenor

The Fall of Númenor

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Published in November 2022 and assembled by Brian Sibley, The Fall of Númenor compiles stories from the Second Age of Middle-earth. It covers the rise and fall of Númenor, the forging of the Rings of Power, Sauron's rise, the construction of Barad-dûr, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.

How to Read The Lord of the Rings By Release Date

• The Hobbit (1937)
• The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
• The Two Towers (1954)
• The Return of the King (1955)
• The Silmarillion (1977)
• Unfinished Tales (1980)
• The History of Middle-earth (1983–1996)
• The Children of Húrin (2007)
• Beren and Lúthien (2017)
• The Fall of Gondolin (2018)
• The Fall of Númenor (2022)

Part of the main four-book Lord of the Rings saga

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• How to Watch The Lord of the Rings Movies in Order
• Every Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Set