"Guide to Reading The Lord of the Rings Series in Sequence"

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. The narrative, centered around the eternal struggle between good and evil, is enriched with themes of friendship and heroism. With the excitement building around the upcoming Season 2 of Rings of Power and a new Lord of the Rings movie slated for 2026, there's no better time to delve into the expansive world of Middle-earth.

For those new to Tolkien's universe or looking to deepen their exploration, we've crafted a comprehensive guide on how to read the Lord of the Rings books, whether you prefer to follow the chronological order or the order of their release. So, settle in, dim the lights, and let's embark on one of the greatest literary adventures ever written.

How Many 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—The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Since Tolkien's passing in 1973, several additional collections and companion books have been released, and we've included the seven most significant in our list below.

Lord of the Rings Book Sets

For those embarking on their first journey through Middle-earth or collectors seeking to expand their libraries, there are several exquisite book sets to consider. Our top recommendation is the leather-bound illustrated editions, though various styles cater to 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 core Lord of the Rings saga and additional readings. The main saga, detailing the adventures of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, is presented in narrative chronological order. The additional readings, which were published posthumously, are arranged by their publication dates.

To accommodate new readers, the following plot summaries are kept light, focusing on broad strokes and character introductions without major spoilers.

1. The Hobbit

The Hobbit marks Tolkien's initial foray into Middle-earth, both in terms of in-universe chronology and its release date in 1937, 17 years before The Fellowship of the Ring. The story follows Bilbo Baggins, who joins Thorin and Company—a group including Gandalf and thirteen dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield—on a quest to reclaim the dwarves' ancestral home from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, we meet Gollum and learn how Bilbo acquires the One Ring. The adventure culminates in the Battle of Five Armies, which inspired the title of the final Hobbit film.

2. The Fellowship of the Ring

Published nearly two decades after The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring launches the epic Lord of the Rings saga. Originally conceived as a single narrative, the story was split into three volumes for publication, each containing two books. The journey begins at Bilbo's 111th birthday celebration, where he passes the One Ring to his cousin Frodo. Unlike the film, there's a 17-year gap before Frodo's adventure begins at Gandalf's urging. Frodo forms the Fellowship with Samwise Gamgee, Pippin Took, Merry Brandybuck, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Boromir, and Gandalf, aiming to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. By the end of Fellowship, Frodo faces betrayal and decides to continue alone, accompanied only by the loyal Samwise.

3. The Two Towers

In The Two Towers, the second volume of The Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship splits into two groups: Frodo and Sam continue their perilous journey to Mordor, encountering Gollum, while the rest of the Fellowship battles orcs and confronts the corrupted wizard Saruman.

4. The Return of the King

The final volume, The Return of the King, sees the Fellowship's mission reach its climax as they confront Sauron's dark forces. Sam and Frodo press on toward Mount Doom. Following the epic battle, the hobbits return to the Shire to face one last challenge, a plot point omitted from the film. We discover the fates of each character, bidding them farewell as Frodo's journey concludes.

Additional LotR Reading

5. The Silmarillion

The Silmarillion

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The Silmarillion, the first Middle-earth work published posthumously in 1973, is a collection of myths and stories edited by Tolkien's son, Christopher, and released in 1977. It encompasses the history of Arda, the world that includes Middle-earth, from its creation through the Third Age, when The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings occur.

6. Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth

Unfinished Tales Of Númenor And Middle-Earth

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Unfinished Tales is a collection of over a dozen stories and histories edited by Christopher Tolkien, offering deeper insights into Middle-earth's lore, including the origins of the wizards, the alliance between Gondor and Rohan, Gandalf's orchestration of The Hobbit's events, 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 published between 1983 and 1996, compiles and analyzes Tolkien's writings, including The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Edited by Christopher Tolkien, this extensive 5,400-page collection does not include analyses of The Hobbit, which are covered 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 the complete story of Of Túrin Turambar from The Silmarillion. Set in the First Age, it follows Húrin Thalion and his children, Túrin and Nienor, in a tragic tale of defiance against Morgoth, the primary antagonist before Sauron.

9. Beren and Lúthien

Beren And Lúthien

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Beren and Lúthien, inspired by Tolkien's real-life romance with his wife Edith, is a First Age love story compiled by Christopher Tolkien from various versions into a cohesive narrative. The tale follows the mortal Beren and the immortal Elf Lúthien, whose names are inscribed on the Tolkiens' gravestone.

10. The Fall of Gondolin

The Fall Of Gondolin

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The Fall of Gondolin is the complete version of a tale found in The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales. It chronicles Tuor's divine mission to Gondolin, leading to events that contribute to Morgoth's defeat. This story connects to The Lord of the Rings through Tuor's son Eärendil, father of Elrond, who forms the Fellowship. The Fall of Gondolin is the last Middle-earth novel edited by Christopher Tolkien.

11. The Fall of Númenor

The Fall of Númenor

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The Fall of Númenor, released in November 2022, is a collection of Tolkien's Second Age stories, assembled by Brian Sibley. It includes narratives 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.

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