J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings saga is a cornerstone of fantasy literature, inspiring one of the most acclaimed film trilogies of all time. This epic tale of good versus evil, woven with themes of friendship and heroism, remains as compelling as ever. With the second season of Rings of Power on the horizon and a new Lord of the Rings movie slated for 2026, now is the perfect time to delve into the expansive world of Middle-earth.
For those new to Tolkien's universe, we've crafted this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the reading order, whether you prefer chronological sequence or publication order. So, prepare for an unforgettable journey into one of the greatest literary adventures ever written.
How Many Lord of the Rings Books Are There in the Series?
Tolkien's primary Middle-earth saga consists of four books: The Hobbit and the trilogy known as The Lord of the Rings, which includes The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.
In addition to these, numerous other collections and companion books have been released posthumously. Here, we've highlighted seven of the most significant.
Lord of the Rings Book Sets
Whether you're embarking on your first journey through Middle-earth or expanding your collection, there are several exceptional book sets to consider. Our top pick is the luxurious leather-bound illustrated editions, though a variety of styles are available to suit every reader's taste.
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 sections: the core Lord of the Rings saga and additional reading materials. The saga follows the adventures of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins and is arranged by narrative chronology. The additional readings, published after Tolkien's passing, are listed by publication date.
Our summaries are designed to be spoiler-light, focusing on broad plot points and character introductions for those new to the series.
1. The Hobbit
The Hobbit marks the chronological and publication beginning of Tolkien's Middle-earth saga, first released in 1937, 17 years before The Lord of the Rings.
The story follows Bilbo Baggins, who joins Thorin and Company—a group including Gandalf and 13 dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield—on a quest to reclaim the dwarves' ancestral mountain home from the dragon Smaug. Along the journey, Bilbo encounters Gollum and acquires the One Ring. The tale culminates in the Battle of Five Armies, famously depicted in the final Hobbit film.
2. The Fellowship of the Ring
Published nearly two decades after The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring launches the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Originally conceived as a single story, it was published across three volumes, each containing two books.
The narrative begins with Bilbo's 111th birthday, where he passes the One Ring to his cousin Frodo. Unlike the film, there's a 17-year gap before Frodo's journey starts, prompted by Gandalf's warning about the ring's danger.
Frodo assembles 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 the first volume, Frodo faces betrayal and decides to continue his quest alone, though Samwise Gamgee remains loyally by his side.
3. The Two Towers
In the second volume, The Two Towers, the Fellowship splits into two groups: Frodo and Sam continue toward Mordor, while the others confront various challenges, including battles with orcs and the corrupted wizard Saruman. Frodo and Sam meet Gollum, whose presence complicates their journey.
4. The Return of the King
The final volume, The Return of the King, brings the saga to a thrilling conclusion as the Fellowship faces Sauron's forces. Sam and Frodo reach their ultimate goal, while the hobbits confront one last challenge back in the Shire, a storyline not included in the film adaptations. The book closes with the fates of the characters resolved, marking the end of Frodo's journey.
Additional Lord of the Rings Reading
5. The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion
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The Silmarillion, published posthumously in 1977, is a collection of five parts edited by Tolkien's son, Christopher. It serves as a legendarium for Arda, the world encompassing Middle-earth, covering 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, another posthumous collection edited by Christopher Tolkien, includes over a dozen stories and histories of Middle-earth, detailing the origins of its wizards, the alliance between Gondor and Rohan, Gandalf's role in The Hobbit, and Sauron's quest for the One Ring before The Lord of the Rings.
7. The History of Middle-earth
The Complete History of Middle-Earth
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The History of Middle-earth is a twelve-volume series published between 1983 and 1996, edited by Christopher Tolkien. Spanning 5,400 pages, it compiles and analyzes The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and other Middle-earth writings. Note that The Hobbit is not analyzed here but 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 presents a complete version of the story of Túrin Turambar from The Silmarillion, set during the First Age. It narrates the tragic tale of Húrin and his children, exploring the consequences of defying Morgoth, the precursor to Sauron.
9. Beren and Lúthien
Beren And Lúthien
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Beren and Lúthien, a love story from the First Age, was first featured in The Silmarillion. Christopher Tolkien compiled various versions to create a cohesive narrative of the mortal Beren and the immortal Elf Lúthien. This tale is inspired by Tolkien's own romance with his wife Edith, reflected in the names on their gravestone.
10. The Fall of Gondolin
The Fall Of Gondolin
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The Fall of Gondolin is the complete tale of Tuor, found in The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales. It details Tuor's divine mission to Gondolin and the events leading to Morgoth's defeat. This story connects to The Lord of the Rings through Tuor's son Eärendil, father of Elrond, who plays a pivotal role in forming the Fellowship.
11. The Fall of Númenor
The Fall of Númenor
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The Fall of Númenor, published in 2022, compiles Tolkien's works related to Middle-earth's Second Age, edited by Brian Sibley. 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
For those interested in exploring more, consider:
- 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
