Series

The Lord of the Rings series in reading order

There are 3 books in the The Lord of the Rings series.

Published between 1950 and 1954. The publication order differs from the reading order — both are below.

In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After m

All 3 books, in reading order

• 1. The Fellowship of the Ring (1954) — J.R.R. Tolkien · 407 pages
• 2. The Two Towers (1954) — J.R.R. Tolkien · 323 pages
• 3. The Return of the King (1950) — J.R.R. Tolkien · 323 pages

The Lord of the Rings in publication order

1. The Return of the King (1950) — J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Fellowship of the Ring (1954) — J.R.R. Tolkien
3. The Two Towers (1954) — J.R.R. Tolkien

All 3 books total 1,053 pages.

The Books Oracle — track the series you are partway through, and see what to read next.