Exploring The Lord of the Rings: A Guide to Reading Tolkien’s Epic Series

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is a cornerstone of fantasy literature, inspiring one of the greatest film trilogies ever made. This timeless tale of good versus evil weaves themes of courage and camaraderie. With Season 2 of Rings of Power underway and a new Lord of the Rings film slated for 2026, now is the perfect moment to dive into Middle-earth’s storied past.

For newcomers to Tolkien’s Middle-earth saga and its companion works, this guide outlines the best reading order, whether by narrative timeline or publication date. So, settle in, dim the lights, and prepare for an unforgettable journey.

How Many Books Are in The Lord of the Rings Series?

Tolkien’s core Middle-earth saga includes four books: 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, several companion works and collections have been released. We’ve highlighted the seven most significant ones below.

The Lord of the Rings Book Collections

Whether you’re new to The Lord of the Rings or expanding your library, there are excellent book sets to choose from. Our top pick is the illustrated leather-bound editions, though various styles are available to suit any reader.

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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Reading Order for The Lord of the Rings Books

We’ve organized Tolkien’s Middle-earth works into two categories: the main Lord of the Rings saga and supplementary reading. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings novels follow the adventures of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, listed in narrative order, while additional works, published posthumously, are ordered by release date.

For those new to the series, these brief summaries include only light spoilers, such as general plot points and character introductions.

1. The Hobbit

The Hobbit, Tolkien’s first Middle-earth story, was published in 1937, 17 years before The Lord of the Rings began. It follows the in-universe chronology and sets the stage for the saga.

The tale tracks Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, and 13 dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on a quest to reclaim the dwarves’ ancestral treasure from the dragon Smaug beneath the Lonely Mountain. Along the way, Bilbo encounters Gollum and acquires the One Ring. The story climaxes with the Battle of Five Armies, which inspired the final Hobbit film.

2. The Fellowship of the Ring

Published nearly two decades after The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring is the first volume of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien wrote the saga as a single story across 9,250 pages from 1938 to 1955, later divided into three volumes, each containing two books.

The story begins at Bilbo’s 111th birthday, when he passes the One Ring to his cousin Frodo Baggins. Unlike the film, a 17-year gap separates Bilbo’s celebration and Frodo’s journey, prompted by Gandalf’s urging to leave the Shire with the ring.

Frodo is joined by companions, forming The Fellowship of the Ring, including Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, Pippin Took, Merry Brandybuck, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Boromir, and Gandalf. Their mission is to destroy the One Ring in Mount Doom’s fires in Mordor.

By the end of the volume, Frodo faces betrayal and chooses to continue alone, though Samwise loyally follows.

3. The Two Towers

The Two Towers, the second volume, follows the now-divided Fellowship. One group battles orcs and confronts the treacherous wizard Saruman, while Frodo and Sam meet Gollum and press on toward Mordor.

4. The Return of the King

The final volume, The Return of the King, wraps up the Fellowship’s quest to Mordor. The heroes face Sauron’s dark forces, while Frodo and Sam complete their mission. Back in the Shire, the hobbits confront a final foe, a plot point omitted from the films.

The story concludes with the fates of each character, as Frodo’s journey reaches its poignant end.

Additional Lord of the Rings Reading

5. The Silmarillion

The Silmarillion

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Published in 1977, The Silmarillion was the first Middle-earth work released after Tolkien’s death in 1973. Edited by his son, Christopher, this five-part legendarium explores the history of Arda, the world encompassing Middle-earth, from its creation through the Third Age, where The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings unfold.

6. Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth

Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth

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Unfinished Tales, edited by Christopher Tolkien, is a collection of over a dozen stories and histories. Divided into four parts, it covers the origins of Middle-earth’s five wizards, the alliance between Gondor and Rohan, Gandalf’s role in orchestrating The Hobbit, and Sauron’s hunt 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, a twelve-volume series published from 1983 to 1996, compiles and examines The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and other writings. Edited by Christopher Tolkien, it excludes The Hobbit, which is analyzed in The History of The Hobbit, a 2007 work by scholar John D. Rateliff.

8. The Children of Húrin

The Children of Húrin

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The Children of Húrin expands a story 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, Middle-earth’s primary antagonist before Sauron’s rise.

9. Beren and Lúthien

Beren and Lúthien

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Beren and Lúthien, partially featured in The Silmarillion, is a First Age love story compiled by Christopher Tolkien. It follows mortal man Beren and immortal Elf Lúthien, inspired by Tolkien’s romance with his wife, Edith, whose names appear on their gravestone.

10. The Fall of Gondolin

The Fall of Gondolin

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The Fall of Gondolin, drawn from stories in The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales, recounts Tuor’s divine quest to Gondolin, orchestrated by the god Ulmo. The tale connects to The Lord of the Rings through Tuor’s son, Eärendil, father of Elrond, who forms the Fellowship.

This was the final Middle-earth novel edited by Christopher Tolkien.

11. The Fall of Númenor

The Fall of Númenor

5$40.00 save 46%$21.54 at Amazon

Released in November 2022, The Fall of Númenor compiles Tolkien’s Second Age writings, drawn from The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth. Edited by Brian Sibley, it explores Númenor’s rise and fall, the forging of the Rings of Power, Sauron’s ascent, the construction of Barad-dûr, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.

Reading The Lord of the Rings by Publication 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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