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Reading order

Middle Earth reading order

J. R. R. Tolkien

  1. The Hobbit1937
  2. In De Ban Van de Ring I: De Reisgenoten1954
  3. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King1955
8.68.6 / 10
8,321 ratings
Score
3 volumes
Volumes
1937–1955
Published
Completed
Status
Fantasy
Genre

Quick answer

The Hobbit
Start withThe Hobbit1937 · Volume 1 of 3
Open the volume →Buy the first volumeListen to the audiobook

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Publication order

3 volumes1937–1955Completed

  • Start with The Hobbit (1937), a lighter book written for children.
  • The Lord of the Rings follows as one long novel in three parts.
  • The Silmarillion (1977, published after Tolkien’s death) is the deep backstory — best saved for last.

Every volume in order

Read: 0 of 3
  1. The Hobbit
    The Hobbit1937 · 8,321 ratings · Filmed 2012Start here
    8.68.6 / 10
  2. In De Ban Van de Ring I: De Reisgenoten
    In De Ban Van de Ring I: De Reisgenoten1954 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  3. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
    Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King1955 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet

Order checked by hand · Order and years: Wikidata (CC0). Spotted an error? Tell us. · Data updated October 29, 2026

Frequently asked questions

What should I read after Middle Earth?

Other series by J. R. R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings, The History of Middle-earth, The History of The Lord of the Rings.

More series by J. R. R. Tolkien

All books by J. R. R. Tolkien in order →

The Lord of the Rings
8.98.9 / 10
The Lord of the RingsJ. R. R. Tolkien11.8K ratings
The History of Middle-earth
The History of Middle-earthJ. R. R. Tolkien
The History of The Lord of the Rings
The History of The Lord of the RingsJ. R. R. Tolkien