The journey into J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth saga is not for the faint of heart. Laying the groundwork for most of the fantasy genre we know in this day and age, The Lord of the Rings has a legacy known far and wide for its intricate plotlines, with many famous quotes and heartfelt characters that bring the story to life, so it’s no wonder you’re thinking about reading the series.
But where do you start, and how do you go about reading The Lord of the Rings books in order? This guide will help you navigate through your literary journey.
Do You Have to Read The Lord of the Rings Books in Order?
Choosing which way to read The Lord of the Rings can widely depend on the reader, their age, and how far down the rabbit hole you truly want to go.
While The Lord of the Rings trilogy specifically consists of three books, when people refer to “The Lord of the Rings,” they usually mean the trilogy and related books. The epic saga of The Lord of the Rings trilogy is only a fraction of Middle-earth’s history, often leaving readers vying for more.
How Many Lord of the Rings Books Are There?
With a series that falls into the category of must-read books, Tolkien has created a world based on Middle-earth legends that encompass thousands of years and dozens of other works and spin-off stories.
J.R.R. Tolkien published the first volume of The Lord of the Rings 17 years after The Hobbit. For nearly two decades, Tolkien conceived and composed a single storyline across 9,250 pages.
From there, it was broken down and edited into three volumes for publication: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.
The additional works of Tolkien were published after his death by his son and consist of side quests and lore entries that expand his fictional world of Middle-earth.
What Is the Best Reading Order for The Lord of the Rings Books?
While fans and fanatics widely dispute the best way to read The Lord of the Rings series books in order, we recommend starting with The Hobbit.
The Hobbit: Or There and Back Again
The Hobbit is not technically part of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but it is Tolkien’s first book in the world of Middle-earth and a popular gateway into The Lord of the Rings series books as the prequel story.
The Hobbit follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, the older cousin of the trilogy’s main character, Frodo. As he is sent on an adventure by the wizard Gandalf to help Thorin Oakenshied and the 13 dwarves retrieve the treasure and reclaim their ancestral home from the formidable dragon Smaug.
Through the ups and downs of his travels, we learn the origin story of how Bilbo came into possession of the One Ring, a magical ring that was lost by the Dark Lord Sauron long ago. They come to find that while it turns the wearer invisible, it also causes possessiveness and insanity, an enduring problem of this story.
The Hobbit lays down all the groundwork for all the great adventures that take place in the beloved trilogy.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
TheLord of the Rings books in order starts with The Fellowship of the Ring, as Bilbo Baggins suddenly disappears from his 111th birthday party, leaving his young heir, Frodo Baggins, the One Ring. At the urging of the wizard Gandalf, Frodo begins his quest to bring the ring to the elven stronghold of Rivendell.
From there, our journey truly starts as nine representatives of different races band together to form the Fellowship of the Ring and adventure to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mordor to save the world.
The treacherous journey across forests, mountains, and rivers tests and endangers the fellowship at every corner. As the perils rise, Frodo faces betrayal and ultimately decides to continue off towards Mordor with only his loyal friend Samwise.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
In the second volume of The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, the saga continues with the members of the fellowship divided and primarily split into two parties.
Merry and Pippin are captured by orcs but escape into the foreboding Fangorn Forest, where they meet giant sentient tree-like creatures called Ents. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, when tracking Merry and Pippin, reconnect with a changed wizard, Gandalf, fend off orcs when coming to the aid of Rrohan’s struggling people, and confront the corrupted wizard Saruman.
Frodo and Sam remain on their perilous quest to Mordor and form an uneasy alliance with the wretched Gollum, who promises to guide them to their destination, all while plotting how to steal the ring.
Through treacherous twists and turns, the journey leaves us on a cliffhanger with the shadow of Sauron growing across the land as armies everywhere prepare themselves for battle.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
In the final volume of one of the most epic folklore and mythology tales, The Return of the King, we reach the conclusion of our journey, learn the fates of each of our beloved characters, and sadly bid them goodbye as Frodo’s quest reaches its end.
As Sam and Frodo see their mission through to Mordor, Frodo dangerously falls under the sway of the ring’s dark magic.
Aragon and his forces stage a last stand at the Black Gate of Mordor. Pressuring Frodo to overcome the ring’s powers and make the ultimate choice to destroy the ring once and for all.
Following the climax in the novel, the hobbits are forced to face one final challenge as the Shire is left still in the thralls of the evil Saruman. Merry and Pippin lead an uprising of hobbits against Saruman and free the Shire. Peace and harmony settle over Middle-earth, and the Shire begins to heal. But Frodo doesn’t, as he is plagued by the physical and psychological toll of the ring.
The novel concludes with Frodo, along with Bilbo Baggins and the Keepers of the Three Rings, departing for the Undying Lands to find healing and peace.
If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll know that it concludes a bit differently, as with many book-to-movie adaptations. The movie ends with Aragon rising to his destiny as King of Gondor, peace reining over the lands, and the hobbits are happily welcomed home.
Reading Order for Supplementary Books
There is no official reading order for the additional works of Tolkien such as The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales of Numenor & Middle-Earth, The Children of Húrin, Beren and Lúthien, The Fall of Gondolin, and The Fall of Númenor, they are collections of side stories and lore entries connected to The Lord of the Rings trilogy that expand upon the world of Middle-earth.
However, if you want to get the most context of the world before diving into all these, The Silmarillion may be a good place to start since it goes back to the very beginning of Middle-earth.
What Is the Reading Order of The Lord of the Rings Books Based on Release Date?
One of the easiest ways to read The Lord of the Rings in order booksis by their 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 of Numenor & Middle-Earth (1980)
- The Children of Húrin (2007)
- Beren and Lúthien(2017)
- The Fall of Gondolin (2018)
- The Fall of Númenor (2022)
Start Your Journey Through Middle-Earth
Now that you have a general idea of how to read The Lord of the Rings books in order, it’s time to dive in. You can save on new and used copies of the series and supplementary Tolkein books on Alibris. You’ll find low prices on The Lord of the Rings and more from thousands of independent sellers around the world.
Graphic Novels for Kids to Inspire a Love for Reading
Whether your kid is an avid reader or needs extra motivation to get them interested in picking up a book, graphic novels are a great option. With vibrant illustrations and shorter chunks of text, graphic novels are engaging, even for reluctant readers.
And many graphic novels are part of a series, so they naturally drive kids to pick another book (and then, hopefully, another). The best part is there are graphic novels that cross genres and interests, so you can find something your child will truly enjoy.
To help you find ones that will connect with your young reader, we’ve put together a list of our favorite recommendations for kids and teens.
1 | The Invention of Hugo Cabret
This one is perfect for kids who love the idea of far-off places. In the windy passages of a bustling Paris train station lives Hugo, a twelve-year-old boy whose very existence hinges on secrecy and obscurity. However, a chance encounter with a peculiar girl intertwines the children’s fates which eventually endangers Hugo’s clandestine existence.
2 | Zita The Spacegirl
After stumbling upon a device that’s capable of opening portals to distant realms, young Zita’s world is turned upside down when her closest friend suddenly disappears mysteriously. Driven by determination, Zita embarks on a fantastical journey across the universe, traversing from star to star to reunite with her friend.
3 | Anya’s Ghost
Anya is an outcast among her peers who falls down a well in the park and meets a ghost named Emily. While Emily died long ago, she hasn’t let go of the desire to enjoy all those things she’s missed out on, so naturally, she’s drawn to Anya. As she tags along, she helps Anya with school, both when it comes to her grades and social life. But all is not what it seems.
This graphic novel is a great choice for kids who enjoy stories with a bit of a spooky slant.
4 | The Stonekeeper
Following the devastating loss of their father, Emily, and Navin move with their mother to the ancestral home of her late great-grandfather. However, what initially appears to be a haven soon begins to reveal rampant danger. Before the family can settle in, a mysterious entity traps the children’s mother by drawing her into a mysterious door hidden in the basement. Determined to rescue their mother, Emily and Navin embark on a perilous journey into a realm filled with demons and sentient creatures.
5 | The Adventures of Captain Underpants
The Adventures of Captain Underpants is a funny and popular graphic novel for kids that’s been well-loved for years.
George and Harold, masterminds behind their school’s greatest superhero, are on the verge of making their creation a reality. Prepare to meet none other than Captain Underpants, the heroic savior of the universe! This superhero’s true identity is shrouded in mystery, even from himself; fashioned to fight for justice, he’s here to save the world from perilous danger.
6 | Rapunzel’s Revenge
This one is a must-add to your children’s collection. In this amusing and comedic reinterpretation of the timeless fairy tale, Rapunzel takes the stage with her prolonged hair used as a lasso. Teaming up with a mysterious outlaw, the newly established hero rides across the Wild West while confronting villains and restoring justice.
7 | Kristy’s Great Idea
When Kristy Thomas proposes the idea of starting a babysitters club as a means to earn some money and enjoy time with her pals, she underestimates the power of this endeavor.
From prank calls and rowdy toddlers to unruly pets and unreliable clients, the challenges of running a business quickly become apparent. Yet, amidst the chaos, Kristy and her friends discover the true meaning of friendship, responsibility, and the rewards of hard work.
8 | Big Nate
Lincoln Pierce is a classic children’s author and the creator of Big Nate. In this comic, readers meet Nate Wright, an eleven-year-old boy who holds the prestigious title of the all-time detention record holder in school history.
As a self-proclaimed genius with the versatility of a sixth-grade Renaissance man, Nate navigates the “dangerous” world of middle school with undeniable resilience. From butting heads with overbearing teachers to enduring lackluster cafeteria cuisine, Nate’s daily struggles against “the system” will resonate with middle schoolers everywhere.
9 | Drama
Callie finds herself thrown into the chaotic world of her middle school’s drama club after joining the stage crew for a production of the play, “Moon Over Mississippi.” Amid the whirlwind of prop-making and stage preparations, she grapples with many unexpected challenges:
As if perfecting props wasn’t enough, Callie finds herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions after encountering a pair of charming twin brothers that stirs up some conflicting feelings she had never thought of happening.
10 | Robot Dreams
Full of emotion and undeniable charm, this graphic novel delves into a heartwarming tale of an unlikely companionship between a dog and a robot. Through vivid storytelling, the story illustrates the many intricacies that relationships can have and further highlights their inherent strength and fragility.
With every moment and heartfelt interaction, this graphic novel hits home the power of connection and how relationships can shape our lives–great lessons for all kids to learn.
11 | Roller Girl
Astrid has always shared everything with her best friend, Nicole. So, when Astrid develops a passion for roller derby and enrolls in a summer camp, she expects Nicole to join her, but to the girl’s surprise, Nicole opts for ballet camp alongside Astrid’s arch-nemesis. This begins Astrid’s hardest summer yet as she grapples with a newfound passion and the challenges of juggling friendships and rivalries.
12 | Ghosts
Catrina and her family decided to relocate to the Northern California coast to help her sister who has cystic fibrosis. But Catrina isn’t exactly excited about the move, especially not when she learns that their new town is rumored to be haunted. Her sister, however, feels quite differently. She’s determined to encounter one of these “ghosts.”
What do these ghosts have in store for them, and how will they adjust? Your young reader will have to dive in to find out
13 | Diary Of A Wimpy Kid
With humor, fun doodles, and relatable characters, Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are some of the most beloved graphic novels for kids. Each book follows the ups and downs of middle schooler Grey Heffley as he navigates friendship, popularity, and his home life. Currently, there are nearly 20 novels in the series.
Start Your Child’s Graphic Novel Collection
Whether they like heartfelt stories or laugh-out-loud antics, there’s a book on this list your kid will love. Shop the best graphic novels for kids from thousands of independent sellers and find deals on new and used books.