The Lord of the Rings Reading Order

All 4 books in the The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien, in the correct order.

A humble hobbit must carry a ring of immense power to the fires of Mount Doom to prevent the Dark Lord Sauron from conquering Middle-earth.

Reading Order (Publication)

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#1 The Hobbit (1937)
#2 The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
#3 The Two Towers (1954)
#4 The Return of the King (1955)

Which order should you read?

Start with The Hobbit, then read the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The Silmarillion provides deep lore but is optional and best read after the main series.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct reading order for the The Lord of the Rings series?

Read the The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien in publication order, starting with The Hobbit (1937) and ending with The Return of the King (1955). Start with The Hobbit, then read the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The Silmarillion provides deep lore but is optional and best read after the main series.

How many books are in the The Lord of the Rings series?

There are 4 books in the The Lord of the Rings series. The series is currently complete.