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 in history. The narrative weaves a compelling tapestry of good versus evil, centered around themes of friendship and heroism. With the anticipation building for Season 2 of "Rings of Power" and a new Lord of the Rings movie slated for 2026, there's never been a better time to delve into the expansive world of Middle-earth.
For those yet to embark on this literary journey, we've crafted a comprehensive guide on how to read the books in order, whether you prefer to follow the chronological timeline or the sequence of their release. So, prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure by getting cozy, dimming the lights, and perhaps grabbing a reading lamp.
**There are four books in Tolkien’s main Middle-earth saga**: The Hobbit and the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King).
In addition to these core works, several other collections and companion books have been published posthumously. We've highlighted the seven most pertinent ones below.
Whether you're new to the LoTR books or looking to expand your collection, there are several excellent book sets available. Our top recommendation is the leather-bound illustrated editions, although numerous other styles exist to suit your taste.
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We've organized Tolkien’s Middle-earth works into two sections: The Lord of the Rings saga and additional reading. The Hobbit and LotR books focus on the adventures of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, listed by narrative chronology. The additional reading section includes works published after Tolkien's death, arranged by their publication date.
For those new to the series, our plot summaries provide only mild spoilers, highlighting general plot points and character introductions.
The Hobbit marks Tolkien's initial foray into Middle-earth, both in-universe and by real-world publication date. Released in 1937, it precedes The Lord of the Rings by 17 years.
The story follows Bilbo Baggins, who joins Thorin and Company — Gandalf and 13 dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield — on a quest to reclaim the dwarves' ancestral home from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, readers meet Gollum and learn how Bilbo acquires the One Ring. The adventure culminates in the Battle of Five Armies, famously depicted in the final Hobbit film.
Nearly two decades after The Hobbit, Tolkien released the first volume of The Lord of the Rings. Conceived as a single narrative, the saga spans 9,250 pages, written between 1938 and 1955. It was condensed and split into three volumes for publication, each containing two books.
The story begins at Bilbo's 111th birthday celebration, where he bequeaths the One Ring to his cousin Frodo. Unlike the film adaptation, there's a 17-year gap between Bilbo’s departure and Frodo's journey prompted by Gandalf's warning.
Frodo, accompanied by a diverse group, forms the Fellowship of the Ring. Their mission: to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor. By the end of the book, following a betrayal, Frodo embarks on his perilous journey alone, with the loyal Samwise by his side.
The Two Towers continues the saga, focusing on the divided paths of the Fellowship. One group battles orcs and confronts the corrupted wizard Saruman, while Frodo and Sam, guided by Gollum, edge closer to Mordor.
The final volume brings the epic to a close as the Fellowship faces the forces of Sauron. Sam and Frodo reach the climax of their mission, while the hobbits confront a final adversary back in the Shire, a sequence absent from the film.
The conclusion reveals the fates of the characters, marking the end of Frodo's journey.
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Published posthumously in 1977, The Silmarillion, edited by Christopher Tolkien, offers a comprehensive legendarium of Arda, the world encompassing Middle-earth. It covers the history from creation through the Third Age, the setting for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
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Unfinished Tales, edited by Christopher Tolkien, comprises over a dozen stories and histories of Middle-earth. It includes narratives about the origins of the five wizards, the alliance between Gondor and Rohan, Gandalf's orchestration of The Hobbit's events, and Sauron's search for the One Ring.
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The History of Middle-earth, a twelve-volume series published between 1983 and 1996, compiles and analyzes The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and other writings. Edited by Christopher Tolkien, it spans 5,400 pages. Note that analyses of The Hobbit are excluded and can be found in The History of The Hobbit, edited by John D. Rateliff and published in 2007.
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Set during the First Age, The Children of Húrin expands on the story of Of Túrin Turambar from The Silmarillion. It delves into the tragic consequences of Húrin's defiance against Morgoth, the precursor to Sauron as Middle-earth's primary antagonist.
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Beren and Lúthien, a love story from the First Age, was initially condensed in The Silmarillion. Christopher Tolkien pieced together various versions to form a coherent narrative of the mortal man Beren and the immortal Elf Lúthien. Inspired by Tolkien's romance with his wife Edith, their names are inscribed on the couple's gravestone.
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The Fall of Gondolin elaborates on a tale found in both The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales. It follows Tuor, sent on a divine quest to Gondolin, leading to the defeat of Morgoth. The story links to The Lord of the Rings through Tuor's son Eärendil, the father of Elrond. This was the last Middle-earth novel edited by Christopher Tolkien.
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Published in November 2022, The Fall of Númenor compiles Tolkien's works related to the Second Age of Middle-earth. Edited by Brian Sibley, it features stories from The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth, covering the rise and fall of Númenor, the forging of the Rings of Power, Sauron's rise, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.
- 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 exploration:
New Fantasy and Sci-Fi BooksBest Books Like Lord of the RingsHow to Watch The Lord of the Rings Movies in OrderEvery Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Set
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