Fans of The Lord of the Rings tend to be big readers - you'd almost have to be to make it through Tolkien's tomes. While many LOTR superfans have likely read the original book series (along with The Hobbit and The Silmarillion for good measure), there are a lot of LOTR-themed books out there that fans may not have had the chance to check out yet.
Whether you're a crafty, good in the kitchen, or just a major nerd for Middle-earth history, there's a LOTR-adjacent book out there that you're sure to fall in love with. These books are ranked as the best you can get for their attention to canon and lore and the value they offer for LOTR lovers looking to expand their knowledge or celebrate Tolkien's magical world. Prepare to learn exclusive behind-the-scenes information and get to know Middle-earth a little bit better with our picks!
16 Unforgettable Pieces Of Lord Of The Rings Decor So You Can Create Your Own Middle-Earth
Every Lord of the Rings fan would love to travel to Middle-earth. These amazing decor items will make you feel like you are already there.
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The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth
$21 $40 Save $19If you've read the main Lord of the Rings books, but you want to delve deeper into Tolkien's world, this book is the perfect choice. Editor Brian Sibley has compiled Tolkien's writings on the events of the Second Age from various published works, including illustrations by Alan Lee. This would also be the perfect companion to the Rings of Power TV show, as they take place in the same time period.
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The Lord Of The Rings Sketchbook
$19 $36 Save $17Alan Lee was the Oscar-winning conceptual designer for the Lord of the Rings films, and in this book he outlines his process and vision of bringing Tolkien's world to life on screen. The book includes more than 150 of Lee's illustrations, as well as 20 full-color plates. This book is perfect for those who want to know more about the imagery that makes LOTR what it is.
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The Fellowship of the Knits: Lord of the Rings: The Unofficial Knitting Book
$26 $35 Save $9For the crafty LOTR fans out there, this book includes knitting patterns inspired by Tolkien's Middle-earth. It explores a variety of knitting techniques and covers different projects, from clothing to decor! If you've ever wanted to feel like you're a part of Middle-earth, these patterns will help you get there, with Elvish cloaks and Second Breakfast socks.
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Recipes from the World of Tolkien Cookbook
$17 $20 Save $3Plan out the perfect Tolkien-inspired meal, whether it's for Second Breakfast or Supper. Divided by the many times of day when Hobbit meals occur, this cookbook includes a number of of recipes that are inspired by the people and places of Lord of the Rings. It's perfect for a LOTR-themed party, or just for everyday if you're a big Tolkien lover!
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Goodnight Hobbiton Book
This adorable picture book is perfect for fans of LOTR and The Hobbit - big or small! The story follows the night when Thorin's company of Dwarves visits Bilbo's home, written in the style of the classic book Goodnight Moon. The book is filled with colorful illustrations and is perfect for getting little ones to drift off to sleep.
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The Making of Middle-earth Book
$16 $30 Save $14The Making of Middle-earth outlines the influences on Tolkien's work, from medieval Europe to the battlefields of World War I. The book explores how these different time periods, languages, and cultures impacted his writing, and how Tolkien's own work influenced pop culture for years afterward. It's perfect for any Tolkien super-fan!
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Anything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-earth
$17 $19 Save $2For those who love the LOTR movies, this comprehensive look at Peter Jackson's six-film saga is a must-read! It outlines all the important points in Jackson's career, from his start in New Zealand to his meteoric rise with the LOTR films, and includes brand-new, exclusive interviews with the director, as well as the cast and crew who worked on the movies.
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Lord of the Rings One Ring Journal with Charm
Use this LOTR-themed journal to keep track of your thoughts, feelings, and anything else that crosses your mind. The book has 184 ruled pages and an elastic band to keep it closed. As a bonus, it also comes with a decorative charm that looks like the Leaves of Lorien brooches that the Fellowship wear.
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The Lord of the Rings: Red Book of Westmarch Traveler's Notebook Set
$22 $24 Save $2This notebook set is perfect to use as a journal...or as a catalog of all of your adventures. The outer cover of the book is modeled after the look of the book that Bilbo uses to chronicle his adventures in The Lord of the Rings. The set comes with two pieces - a ruled notebook and a planner, so you can use it to organize all parts of your life. Plus, it's refillable!
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Hobbit Houses: A Coloring Book For Adults
Enter the idyllic world of The Shire as you relax with this adult coloring book that focuses on a unique element of The Lord of the Rings - Hobbit houses! With 52 detailed illustrations of the interiors of various Hobbit dwellings, you're sure to find one that feels just like home!
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The Epic World of Tolkien: A Coloring Book
If you're looking for a coloring book that's more focused on the adventurous side of Lord of the Rings, look no further! The Epic World of Tolkien includes more than 100 pages of iconic scenes from LOTR that are ready to be colored in, no matter your skill level! Now you can add your own flair to art of your favorite characters, while de-stressing along the way!
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The Art Of The Lord Of The Rings
$25 $45 Save $20One thing that makes LOTR so interesting is how visually striking it is, both from Tolkien's written descriptions as well as the art he created to depict this fantastical world. While only a few ever made it to print, he often used rough sketches to better visualize what was in his head. This book collects his drawings and maps all in one place, finally bringing a ton of Tolkien's art to light.
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Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien
$19 $36 Save $17This book is essentially a gallery of art created by Tolkien, with his son, Christopher Tolkien, providing commentary throughout. The book includes his sketches and gorgeous watercolors of various Middle-earth locations, as well as other flora and fauna he created for LOTR. This edition also comes in a beautiful cloth slipcase.
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The Atlas Of Middle-Earth
$16 $25 Save $9Tolkien created such a detailed world, and it's endlessly fascinating to LOTR fans. This volume by Karen Wynn Fonstad is a comprehensive guide to the geography of Middle-earth from all throughout its history. There are hundreds of maps and diagrams within this book that show battles and key locations from various characters' journeys.
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The World of Tolkien: Seven-Book Boxed Set
$46 $100 Save $54These beautiful cloth-bound volumes by Tolkien scholar David Day outline information about the various people and places of Middle-earth. The collection has seven different books, each featuring a unique topic, such as an A to Z dictionary of Middle-earth or the histories of battles and heroes within the world of LOTR. These books are must-haves for the collection of any Tolkien mega-fan!
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The Music of The Lord of the Rings Films
$41 $60 Save $19The Lord of the Rings films are well-known for their iconic scores by legendary composer Howard Shore. This book takes a look at the journey of creating and recording the sweeping, operatic music that is so integral to the story of Middle-earth. It includes music examples, original score manuscripts, insight into Howard Shore's creative process, and even a rarities CD.
FAQs
How Many LOTR Books Are There In Total?
In the main Lord of the Rings series, there are three books: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Technically, Tolkien originally wrote all three books as one story, but they were split up during publication to make them more accessible to the reader.
The Hobbit exists as a sort of prequel to LOTR, and Tolkien also has a lot of other writing about the world of Middle-earth detailing other parts of its history outside of LOTR, The Silmarillion being one of the most famous.
In What Order Should You Read Tolkien's Books?
The best order in which to read Tolkien's books matches up with their publication order. While The Lord of the Rings is the main story that is famous in pop culture, the series was not the first thing that Tolkien published, nor is it the first in the timeline.
The Hobbit describes events that happened before LOTR, and it can be helpful to have that context going into LOTR, though it's not strictly necessary. The Hobbit is also a bit of an easier read since it was originally intended for children, so it's a good place to start if you're new to Tolkien's writing style. After The Hobbit and LOTR, you might want to move on to some of Tolkien's ancillary Middle-earth writing, such as Unfinished Tales or The Silmarillion, if you want to learn more details about Middle-earth and its history.
Plenty Of Books For Tolkien Fans
No matter your interests, if you're a big Lord of the Rings fan, there's a LOTR-related book out there for you. You can host a Middle-earth-themed dinner party using a LOTR-themed cookbook, or knit yourself a scarf worthy of a Hobbit with the LOTR knitting book.
And if you're just interested in the behind-the-scenes of the movies, there's a ton of material out there that will help satisfy your curiosity. As a bonus, if you want to get any of these items off of Amazon, you can sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime to get these items shipped to you fast and for free!
12 Hand-Picked Jewelry Pieces For The Lord Of The Rings Aficionados
Ranging from a charms bracelet to the Tree of Life pendant, each piece offers Lord of the Rings aficionados something to add to their collection.
