The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings — Reading Order
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Start with The Hobbit for Bilbo's story, then continue with The Lord of the Rings trilogy for the full Middle-earth epic.
The Hobbit
J.R.R. Tolkien · 1937
Bilbo Baggins is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug — and finds the One Ring.
The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien · 1954
Frodo inherits the One Ring and sets out on a perilous journey to destroy it, joined by a Fellowship of heroes.
The Two Towers
J.R.R. Tolkien · 1954
The Fellowship is broken. Frodo and Sam press on toward Mordor while Aragorn battles to save Rohan.
The Return of the King
J.R.R. Tolkien · 1955
The War of the Ring reaches its climax as Frodo and Sam face Mount Doom and Aragorn claims his destiny.
The Silmarillion
J.R.R. Tolkien · 1977
The mythological history of Middle-earth — the creation of the world, the First Age, and the rise of Morgoth.