J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings saga stands as a monumental achievement in 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, continues to captivate audiences. With the second season of Rings of Power underway and a new Lord of the Rings movie set for release in 2026, now is the perfect time to delve into the vast and enchanting world of Middle-earth.
For those yet to embark on this literary journey, or for those seeking to explore Tolkien’s universe more deeply, we’ve crafted a comprehensive guide to reading the Middle-earth saga. Whether you prefer to follow the chronological order or the original publication sequence, this guide will help you navigate the rich tapestry of Tolkien's work. So, prepare for an unforgettable adventure by dimming the lights, grabbing a cozy blanket, and turning on your 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 (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King).
Since Tolkien's passing in 1973, numerous additional collections and companion books have been published, enhancing the Middle-earth lore. We’ve included the seven most significant works in our reading list below.
Lord of the Rings Book Sets
Whether you’re a newcomer to the LoTR books or looking to expand your collection, there are several impressive book sets available. Our top pick is the luxurious leather-bound illustrated editions, though a variety of 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 main Lord of the Rings saga and additional reading. The Hobbit and the LoTR books follow the tales of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, arranged by narrative chronology. The additional reading section includes works published posthumously, listed by their publication date.
To accommodate potential newcomers, these plot summaries provide only mild spoilers, focusing on overarching plot points and character introductions.
1. The Hobbit
The Hobbit is Tolkien’s first Middle-earth book, both in the universe's timeline and in real-world publication. Published in 1937, it precedes the first volume of The Lord of the Rings by 17 years.
The story follows Thorin and Company — Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, and 13 dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield — on their quest to reclaim the dwarves' ancestral home under the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. Along the journey, readers meet Gollum and learn how Bilbo acquires the One Ring. The adventure culminates in the Battle of Five Armies, which also names the final Hobbit film.
2. The Fellowship of the Ring
Nearly two decades after The Hobbit, Tolkien released the first volume of The Lord of the Rings. Conceived as a single narrative, the saga was crafted over 9,250 pages from 1938 to 1955, then edited and split into three volumes for publication, with each volume comprising two books.
The Fellowship of the Ring begins during Bilbo’s 111th birthday celebration, where he leaves the One Ring to his cousin Frodo Baggins. Unlike the film adaptation, there's a 17-year gap before Frodo embarks on his quest, prompted by Gandalf's warning about the ring's dangers.
Frodo is joined by various companions, forming the Fellowship of the Ring. The group — Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, Pippin Took, Merry Brandybuck, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Boromir, and Gandalf — sets out to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor.
By the end of The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo faces a betrayal and decides to continue towards Mordor alone, accompanied only by the loyal Samwise.
3. The Two Towers
The Two Towers, the second volume of The Lord of the Rings, continues the Fellowship's journey, now split into two groups: Frodo and Sam on one path, and the rest of the Fellowship on another. One group battles orcs and confronts the corrupted wizard Saruman, while Frodo and Sam, guided by Gollum, press on toward Mordor.
4. The Return of the King
The Return of the King, the final volume, brings the Fellowship's quest to its dramatic conclusion. The heroes clash with Sauron’s dark forces, and Sam and Frodo strive to complete their mission. After the climax, the hobbits confront one last enemy back in the Shire — a storyline omitted from the film version.
The book concludes with the resolution of each character’s fate, bidding farewell as Frodo’s journey comes to an end.
Additional LotR Reading
5. The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion
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The Silmarillion, the first Middle-earth work published after Tolkien’s death in 1973, was edited by his son Christopher and released in 1977. This five-part collection forms a legendarium of Arda, the world encompassing Middle-earth. The Silmarillion explores the history of Arda from its creation through the Third Age, during which 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 of Middle-earth, also edited by Christopher Tolkien. Organized into four parts, it includes narratives about the origins of Middle-earth's wizards, the alliance between Gondor and Rohan, Gandalf's orchestration of The Hobbit's events, 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. This extensive 5,400-page collection, edited by Christopher Tolkien, compiles and analyzes The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and other Middle-earth writings. Notably, it does not include analyses of The Hobbit, which are covered in The History of The Hobbit, edited by Tolkien scholar John D. Rateliff and published in 2007.
8. The Children of Húrin
The Children of Hurin
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The Children of Húrin is a complete version of the story Of Túrin Turambar, featured in The Silmarillion. Set during the First Age, it tells the tragic tale of Húrin Thalion and his children, Túrin and Nienor, exploring the consequences of Húrin’s defiance against Morgoth, the primary villain before Sauron's rise.
9. Beren and Lúthien
Beren And Lúthien
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Beren and Lúthien, initially featured in The Silmarillion, is a love story set during the First Age. Christopher Tolkien compiled various versions to create a cohesive narrative following the adventures of the mortal man Beren and the immortal Elf Lúthien. This tale is said to be inspired by Tolkien’s own romance with his wife Edith, with the characters' names inscribed on their gravestone alongside their birth names.
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 both The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales. It recounts the story of Tuor, a man sent to Gondolin on a divine mission. The events orchestrated by the god Ulmo lead to Morgoth's downfall. The Fall of Gondolin links to The Lord of the Rings through Tuor's son Eärendil, father of Elrond, who assembles the Fellowship in The Fellowship of the Ring. This was 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, compiles Tolkien’s works related to the Second Age of Middle-earth. Edited by Brian Sibley, this volume includes stories previously featured in The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth. It chronicles the rise and fall of Númenor, the creation of the Rings of Power, Sauron's ascent, 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
