The Ultimate Guide to Reading Tolkien's Books: Unveiling the Perfect Order for LOTR Fans

Highlights

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote over 29 books and contributed to 36 more, totaling 65 books, including both fiction and non-fiction works.

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To ensure a satisfying reading experience of Tolkien's Middle-earth books, it is advised to follow this suggested order: start with The Hobbit, then proceed to The Lord of the Rings, followed by The Silmarillion, and finally delve into the collection of historical books.

Tolkien's journey into the vast realm of Middle-earth began with his earliest work, "The Book of Lost Tales," while his final publication before his passing was The Lord of the Rings. The most recent addition to the Tolkien collection is The Fall of Gondolin, released in 2018.

When it comes to expansive fantasy universes, few can rival J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, with The Lord of the Rings standing out among his remarkable works. Tolkien skillfully crafted a rich history and intricate lore for this fictional world, complete with unique languages for different peoples. In short, his body of work is extensive, a labor of love that both devoted fans and casual observers admire. The wealth of detail immerses readers, making Middle-earth feel vivid and lived-in.

However, the sheer volume of Tolkien's work can be overwhelming for newcomers to his books and even for long-time fans who have yet to read everything he wrote. Moreover, the stories are not presented in a strict chronological order, adding to the confusion of piecing together the timeline. To assist readers, here is a guide to the recommended order in which to read Tolkien's Middle-earth books, along with an overview of the total number of works.

How Many Books Did Tolkien Write?

Though Tolkien's most famous works are The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, his literary contributions extended far beyond these beloved novels. As a professor and an incredibly productive writer, he authored a staggering collection of more than 29 books and either translated or made significant contributions to an additional 36 works, resulting in a total of 65 books associated with his name. While a portion of his writings focused on academic subjects, such as essay collections and non-fiction works, a substantial number were dedicated to the intricate world of Middle-earth. Determining the exact number of books written by Tolkien can be challenging due to posthumous publications and the reorganization of his works, including his insistence that the Lord of the Rings series should be classified as six separate books, despite being traditionally published as a trilogy.

What Order Should Tolkien's Books Be Read In?

Not all of Tolkien's work should be read in order, as some of it is non-fiction or can be enjoyed as standalone stories. However, the Middle-earth books can be quite perplexing to navigate, and there are a few different orders in which they can be read. The most common and recommended approach is to read the books in the order they were originally published.

The recommended reading order begins with The Hobbit followed by The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion (posthumously published). The collected history books, consisting of Unfinished Tales, The Children of Húrin, Beren and Lúthien, and The Fall of Gondolin, can be read in any order as they provide additional information about the world and its history. Some readers prefer starting with The Lord of the Rings and treating The Hobbit as a prequel, but considering The Hobbit's publication before The Lord of the Rings and its ease of reading (originally intended for children), it may serve as a better starting point.

Alternatively, some readers may choose to read the stories in chronological order, following the events of Middle-earth. In this approach, The Silmarillion, which describes the beginnings of Middle-earth, is the first one to be read. It is followed by The Children of Húrin, Beren and Lúthien, and The Fall of Gondolin, which provide further expansion on the Great Tales of the Elder Days briefly mentioned in The Silmarillion. Unfinished Tales, which contextualizes many Second Age events, comes next, followed by The Hobbit, and finally The Lord of the Rings. This approach is suitable for Tolkien enthusiasts who wish to gain a comprehensive understanding of the timeline of events.

What Are The Earliest and Latest Books Tolkien Wrote?

Although The Hobbit was not technically the first work Tolkien wrote, it was the earliest one to be published. Prior to The Hobbit, Tolkien had penned The Book of Lost Tales, considered the first Middle-earth story, which was later published in the 1980s as a collection forming the basis for The Silmarillion. The initial recognizable Middle-earth writing by Tolkien was a poem titled "The Voyage of Éarendel the Evening Star."

Before his passing, Tolkien's final published work was The Lord of the Rings. Everything released thereafter was posthumous. Throughout his lifetime, Tolkien tirelessly worked on various stories, making it challenging to determine which was his last. Even in his final days, he continued to delve into the histories of Middle-earth. It is believed that his ultimate contribution to his legendarium centered around Galadriel and Celeborn. The most recent publication of Tolkien's works occurred in 2018 with The Fall of Gondolin.