JRR Tolkien is an English writer and philologist known popularly for his high fantasy works The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings. One of the most famous authors in the fantasy world, his series TLOTR is widely recognized and loved. The books have also been adapted into series and movies. The movies were released between 2001 and 2003, whereas the series was released recently on 1st September 2022 on Amazon Prime Video.
His work expanded the demand for fantasy as a genre, and so the genre enjoys popularity to date. Readers who haven’t read this series are in for a journey that they will never forget for sure. However, for those who have read or watched the adaptations, perhaps it’s time for you to re-watch these adaptations again. Or pick up the original source for their favorite movies/ shows and begin reading.
Not that we can force you to agree with us, but if you are one of those rare cases who has done neither, then we’d suggest you read the books first. Since it’s fantasy, we like to read the original books first before watching the adaptations because they enhance our experiences. However, when we are reading the books after watching, they influence our imaginations, and it ends up being a mediocre experience for us. But, at the end of the day, it’s all up to you what you choose. Anyway, if there’s one way we can help you, it is by telling you the right order to read these books if you are going to read them at all!
Also Read: 20 Best Classic Novels To Read
The Silmarillion
This book is merely an account of the Elder Days of the First Age of Tolkien’s world. The tales of this book are set in an age when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle Earth. It’s the time when the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels that contain the pure light of Valinor.
Beren And Luthien
[Tales Of Middle Earth Series]
The tale of Beren and Luthien became an important part of the evolution of The Silmarillion and the myths and legends of the First Age of the World. Beren was a mortal man who loved Luthien, an immortal elf. Her father was a great elvish lord. He assigned an impossible task to Beren that he must perform before marrying Luthien.
The Children Of Hurin
[Tales Of Middle Earth Series]
The earlier books only hinted at the depth and power of the tragic story of Turin and Nienor. They were the children of Hurin. However, six thousand years before the famous One Ring was destroyed, Middle Earth lay under Dark Lord Morgoth’s shadow.
It was the time when the greatest warriors among elves and men had perished, and only darkness and despair remained. Turin emerged as a deadly new leader at this time that with his band of outlaws, began to turn the tide in the war for Middle earth.
The Fall Of Gondolin
[Tales Of Middle Earth Series]
This is a tale of two of the greatest powers in the world: Morgoth of the uttermost evil, ruling over a vast military power from his fortress of Angband, and Ulmo, the second in might only to Manwe, chief of the Valar. Ulmo is called the Lord of waters, and he works secretly to support the Noldor.
The city of Gondolin is beautiful and undiscoverable, but it’s also central to this enmity of the gods. Into this world comes Tuor, who becomes great in Gondolin. However, like every great story, at last comes the terrible ending as well.
Unfinished Tales Of Numenor And Middle Earth
A collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle earth, this book focuses on various elements such as Gandalf’s lively account of how he came to send the Dwarves to the celebrated party at Bag-End, the emergence of the sea-god Ulmo and the description of the military organization of the Riders of Rohan. Along with it, it also includes the only story about the long ages of Numenor before its downfall and everything related to it.
The Hobbit
[The Lord of the Rings Series]
A hobbit lived in a hole in the ground; it was a hobbit hole full of comfort. This book introduces the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the amazing world of Middle Earth. It recounts the adventurous story of a reluctant hero, a powerful ring, and a cruel dragon called Smaug the Magnificent.
The Fellowship Of The Ring
[The Lord of the Rings Series]
The Rings of Power were crafted in ancient times by the Elven smiths. Sauron, The Dark Lord forged the One Ring, filling it with his own powers so he could rule others. But unfortunately, the Ring was taken from him. He sought it throughout Middle Earth yet he failed to find it.
Years later, the Ring falls into Bilbo Baggins’ hands. Young Frodo Baggins is assigned to take care of the ring while embarking on a journey to destroy the Ring and prevent Dark Lord from succeeding in his evil plans.
The Two Towers
[The Lord of the Rings Series]
Frodo along with his Companions of the Ring have been covered in problems during their journey to destroy the Ring. They were supposed to destroy the Ring in the Cracks of Doom but now they have lost Gandalf, the wizard in a battle meanwhile Boromir seduced by the power of this Ring tried to seize the Ring forcefully. Not only that, Frodo and Sam made their escape but the rest of their company was attacked by Orcs. Now, they must continue their journey alone to finish what they started.
The Return Of The King
[The Lord of the Rings Series]
Frodo and Sam are struggling in Dark Lord’s realm in Mordor. The Dark Lord himself has risen and he has unleashed Orcs to conquer Middle Earth. The One Ring must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom in order to defeat Sauron. But, Frodo is weakening and their way isn’t easy from here on. Will the Ring be destroyed or will Dark Lord win once again?
The Book Of Lost Tales Part One
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
This book stands at the beginning of the entire conception of Middle Earth and Valinor in which the earliest accounts and original ideas of Gods and Elves, Dwarves and Orcs, the Silmarils and the Two Trees of Valinor, Nargothrond, and Gondolin and the geography and cosmology of the invented world are found.
The Book Of Lost Tales Part Two
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
The Book Of Lost Tales was published in two volumes and this part of the book includes stories about Beren and Luthien, Turin and the Dragon, full narratives of the Necklace of the Dwarves and the Fall of Gondolin along with extensive information on names and vocabulary of the earliest Elvish languages.
The Lays Of Beleriand
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
In this book, there are poems that narrate the tragedy of Turin Turambar and about Beren and Luthien. In addition to these, there are also three short alliterative poems and a notable criticism in detail of one of the poems by C.S. Lewis.
The Shaping Of Middle Earth
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
In this volume, readers will find the early myths and legends which led to the writing of The Silmarillion accompanied by data on Tolkien’s own maps of the world with added notes and context to the creation of all of them.
The Lost Road And Other Writings
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
This volume includes drafts and essays on the Early History Of The Legend, the Fall of Numenor, the Lost Road, the Annals of Valinor and the Annals of Beleriand, an early version of Ainulindale, an overview of the various languages of the Middle Earth, Quenta Silmarillion and an etymological dictionary of the Elvish languages.
The Return Of The Shadow
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
This volume is a study on how TLOTR came to being. It includes stories such as how Bilbo’s magic ring evolved into the dangerous Ruling Ring, the moment when a Black Rider first rode into the Shire, Hobbit called Trotter developed, and the many changes that Frodo’s companions had to undergo. This book also includes several maps and pages from the earliest manuscripts.
The Treason Of Isengard
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
In this volume, we can read about the first entry of Galadriel, the earliest ideas of the history of Gondor, the original meeting of Aragorn and Eowyn, and how these stories transformed and expanded into new lands and new peoples. Additionally, this book introduces us to Lothlorien, the land of the elves, where we meet the Ents, the Riders of Rohan, and Saruman the White in the fortress of Isengard.
The War Of The Ring
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
In this book, the Battle of Helm’s Deep and the drowning of Isengard by the Ents, the journey of Frodo, Sam, and Gollum to the Pass of Cirith Ungol, the war in Gondor, the parley between Gandalf and the ambassador of the Dark Lord before the Black Gate of Mordor are followed along with unforeseen developments that would later become central to the narrative.
Sauron Defeated
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
This volume begins with Sam’s rescue of Frodo from the Tower of Kirith Ungol and gives a different account of the Scouring of the Shire, and ends with an alternate ending. Next, we are introduced to The Notion Club Papers and The Drowning of Anadune. It is also illustrated by the changing conceptions of the fortress of Kirith Ungol and Mount Doom.
Morgoth’s Ring
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
This book describes and documents the legends of the Elder Days as they evolved and transformed and focuses mainly on Morgoth. It includes notes on the differences between Morgoth and Sauron, the roots of their power their ambitions.
The War Of The Jewels
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
This volume recounts the story of Middle Earth and the conflict of the High Elves and Men who were their allies with the power of the Dark Lord. It includes the great saga of Turin Turambar and his sister Nienor, the children of Hurin The Steadfast. Additionally, the tale of the disaster that overtook the forest people of Brethil when Hurin came among them is also recounted in this book.
The Peoples Of Middle Earth
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
In this book, the author traces the evolution of the Calendars, the Hobbit genealogies, the Western language or Common Speech, and the chronological structure of the Later Ages. It concludes with two soon-abandoned stories titled The New Shadow in Gondor Of The Fourth Age and The Tale of Tal-Elmar.
The History Of Middle Earth Index
[The History of Middle Earth Series]
This is just an index of all the important and meaningful words and places in books and pages of the history of Middle Earth.
That’s the order of books that readers should follow. But, if you want to read just The Lord Of The Rings series, then you must follow the reading order mentioned below. You can also just read the first four books, which are considered the main TLOTR books if you like.
- The Hobbit
- The Fellowship Of The Ring
- The Two Towers
- The Return Of The King
- The Silmarillion
- Unfinished Tales Of Numenor And Middle Earth [Unfinished Tales Series]
- The Children Of Hurin
- Beren And Luthien
- The Fall Of Gondolin
Also Read: Game of Thrones Books Reading Order
