J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings saga stands as a monumental work in the fantasy genre, inspiring one of the most acclaimed film trilogies of all time. At its core, Tolkien's narrative weaves timeless themes of friendship and heroism, pitting good against evil in a richly detailed world. With the excitement building around the second season of "Rings of Power" and the announcement of a new Lord of the Rings movie set for 2026, there's never been a better time to delve into the expansive history of Middle-earth.
For those yet to embark on this epic journey through Tolkien's Middle-earth saga and its companion books, we've crafted a comprehensive guide on how to read them, whether you prefer chronological order or by their release dates. So, prepare for an unforgettable adventure by getting cozy, dimming the lights, and perhaps setting up a reading lamp.
How Many The Lord of the Rings Books Are There in the Series?
There are four books in Tolkien's main Middle-earth saga: The Hobbit and the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings (Fellowship of the Ring, Two Towers, Return of the King).
Since Tolkien's passing in 1973, numerous additional collections and companion books have been published. We've highlighted the seven most relevant in the list below.
Lord of the Rings Book Sets
Whether you're a first-time reader or looking to expand your collection, there are several excellent book sets to consider. Our top pick is the leather-bound illustrated editions, though various styles are available 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 divided Tolkien's Middle-earth works into two sections: The Lord of the Rings saga and additional reading. The Hobbit and LotR books follow the adventures of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins and are listed by their narrative chronology. The additional reading section includes Middle-earth-related works published posthumously, ordered by their publication date.
For those new to the series, these plot summaries contain only mild spoilers, focusing on broad plot points and character introductions.
1. The Hobbit
The Hobbit marks Tolkien's first foray into Middle-earth, both in-universe and in real-world publication, first released in 1937. It chronicles the journey of Bilbo Baggins, who joins Thorin and Company—a group led by Thorin Oakenshield, including Gandalf and thirteen dwarves—to reclaim their ancestral home from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo encounters Gollum and acquires the One Ring, culminating in the epic Battle of Five Armies.
2. The Fellowship of the Ring
Seventeen years after The Hobbit, Tolkien introduced the first volume of The Lord of the Rings. Conceived as a single narrative, it was published in three volumes due to its length. The story begins at Bilbo's 111th birthday, where he passes the One Ring to Frodo. After a 17-year gap, Gandalf prompts Frodo to leave the Shire, leading to the formation of the Fellowship of the Ring. Their mission is to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. By the end of the volume, Frodo, betrayed, decides to continue alone, accompanied only by the loyal Samwise.
3. The Two Towers
The second volume of The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, follows the split Fellowship. One group, including Frodo and Sam, continues toward Mordor, encountering Gollum, while the others battle orcs and confront the corrupted wizard Saruman.
4. The Return of the King
The final volume, The Return of the King, concludes the epic journey. The heroes face Sauron's dark forces, while Frodo and Sam complete their mission. After the climax, the hobbits return to the Shire to confront one last adversary, a sequence not included in the film. The book wraps up with the fates of the characters, marking the end of Frodo's journey.
Additional LotR Reading
5. The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion
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Published posthumously in 1977, The Silmarillion, edited by Christopher Tolkien, is a collection of myths and stories detailing the history of Arda, the world encompassing Middle-earth, from its creation through the Third Age.
6. Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth
Unfinished Tales Of Númenor And Middle-Earth
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Unfinished Tales, also edited by Christopher Tolkien, is a collection of stories and histories about Middle-earth, including the origins of the wizards, the alliance between Gondor and Rohan, and Sauron's search 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 edited by Christopher Tolkien, compiles and analyzes Tolkien's writings, excluding The Hobbit, which is covered in The History of The Hobbit by John D. Rateliff.
8. The Children of Húrin
The Children of Hurin
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The Children of Húrin, set during the First Age, tells the tragic tale of Húrin and his children, Túrin and Nienor, exploring the consequences of Húrin's defiance against Morgoth.
9. Beren and Lúthien
Beren And Lúthien
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Beren and Lúthien, a love story set in the First Age, follows the adventures of the mortal Beren and the immortal Elf Lúthien, inspired by Tolkien's real-life romance with his wife Edith.
10. The Fall of Gondolin
The Fall Of Gondolin
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The Fall of Gondolin, the last Middle-earth novel edited by Christopher Tolkien, tells the story of Tuor and the divine quest that leads to the defeat of Morgoth, connecting to The Lord of the Rings through Tuor's son Eärendil.
11. The Fall of Númenor
The Fall of Númenor
5$40.00 save 46%$21.54 at Amazon
Published in 2022, The Fall of Númenor, assembled by Brian Sibley, covers the Second Age of Middle-earth, including the rise and fall of Númenor, the forging of the Rings of Power, and the rise of Sauron.
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*
For Further Browsing:
New Fantasy and Sci-Fi Books
Best Books Like Lord of the Rings
How to Watch The Lord of the Rings Movies in Order
Every Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Set
