For that, I’d recommend reading The Lord of the Rings books in chronological order. The Lord of the Rings Books in Chronological Orderįor those doing a reread of the series, you may prefer a different experience. Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-earth (1980)Ģ.The best way to read The Lord of the Rings books in order is according to their publication date: The Lord of the Rings Books in Order of Publication There are two recommended ways to read the series in order to grasp this fantasy world. 2 Ways to Read the Lord of the Rings Books in Order Collectively, Tolkien has now sold more than 600 million books, making him one of the bestselling authors of all time. This is after decades of uncertainty surrounding the accuracy of how many books Tolkien has sold. Amidst the adventure and action of the plot are also stories about friendship, loyalty, and love.Īfter an amalgamation of publishers HarperCollins released updated sales figures for Tolkien’s books in 2021. Joining him are a handful of companions that have endeared fans for decades. The Lord of the Rings books follow Bilbo’s younger cousin Frodo Baggins and his perilous journey across Middle-earth after Bilbo entrusts him with the One Ring. These books are The Fellowship of the Ring, The Return of the King, and The Two Towers.Īll three of these books, and The Hobbit, have been made into award-winning movies. While Tolkien wrote this addition to his world as one novel, it was broken out and published as three books to create a trilogy. The Lord of the Rings followed not long after in the 1950s. Since its initial publication in 1937 it has slowly transitioned from a children’s story to a fantasy classic. But the story of how Bilbo meets Gollum and discovers the One Ring fascinated readers and was immediately successful. Tolkien first penned the story of Bilbo Baggins and his adventures through Middle-earth after creating it as a bedtime story for his own children. However, if you choose to read The Lord of the Rings books in order of publication, which we recommend you do, then your entry into Middle-earth will begin with The Hobbit. Tolkien fans both in bookstores and theaters. These bestselling books have been made into award-winning movies receiving a massive reception from fans and critics alike.įollowing the original series fame, The Hobbit was adapted for the big screen with three more movies from Tolkien’s beloved world.īut did you know that more books exist than simply the primary three books associated with the three movies that nearly everyone has heard of? Lord of the Rings Series Summary The Lord of the Rings is a household name popular with J.R.R. Either way we’ll show you two different ways that you can read The Lord of the Rings books in order.

Are you looking to reread The Lord of the Rings? Or maybe you’ve watched the movies dozens of times but have never read the books.

Hobbit and lord of the rings books