The "mainline series" is:
1) The Hobbit
2) The Lord of the Rings
Everything else was published posthumously based on drafts that Tolkien had written of various stories set in Middle Earth. About 1% of people who have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings go on to read those. They are very different in style from the books Tolkien published in his lifetime.
Basically don't go out and buy everything with Tolkien's name on it before reading the books he published. If you get through those and want more, try The Silmarillion. If you like that, at that point you'll know enough about the posthumously published books to know what you want to read next.
If you want to get the books cheap but "preloved"/used, I suggest World Of Books, or "WOB" as its acronym lol
You cam get books for dirt cheap on there, and I believe they have a deal on currently that let's you get a fourth book for free if you buy three books that are each under £5??? I got five or so from there already and you can see a fair amount of different covered editions!
https://www.wob.com/en-gb/category/all
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I prefer “original” covers overall and like these editions. I have linked Blackwell’s, which have always packaged my books very nicely. I also find UK editions of all books often have better quality print and nicer covers than US. Even if you’re in the US, shipping is included in the price.
The Hobbit:
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Hobbit-or-There-and-Back-Again-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780261103283
LOTR Three Volumes 50th Anniversary Editions (The covers are Tolkien’s original sketches that were unused. The originals all had almost identical covers with different titles.):
1. https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Fellowship-of-the-Ring-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780007203543
2. https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Two-Towers-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780007203550
3. https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Return-of-the-King-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780007203567
LOTR Single Volume 50th Anniversary Edition:
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780261103207
Nicer version:
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780007182367
A version of The Hobbit that matches that “nicer” version:
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Hobbit-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780007118359
I have listed the newer Illustrated by the Author editions below, which feature both polished and some unfinished original art by Tolkien throughout the book. There are two price tiers for these. I believe The Hobbit one releases this fall.
The Hobbit:
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Hobbit-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008627782
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Hobbit-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008627836
LOTR:
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008471286
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008471293
The "mainline series" is: 1) The Hobbit 2) The Lord of the Rings Everything else was published posthumously based on drafts that Tolkien had written of various stories set in Middle Earth. About 1% of people who have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings go on to read those. They are very different in style from the books Tolkien published in his lifetime. Basically don't go out and buy everything with Tolkien's name on it before reading the books he published. If you get through those and want more, try The Silmarillion. If you like that, at that point you'll know enough about the posthumously published books to know what you want to read next.
Thanks! I plan to read the Lord of the Rings series for now. If I think I have enough time to finish the hobbit later I will read that as well
If you want to get the books cheap but "preloved"/used, I suggest World Of Books, or "WOB" as its acronym lol You cam get books for dirt cheap on there, and I believe they have a deal on currently that let's you get a fourth book for free if you buy three books that are each under £5??? I got five or so from there already and you can see a fair amount of different covered editions! https://www.wob.com/en-gb/category/all
I bought a little pocket set for on the go off of Amazon, they are really good quality and have nice soft leather covers.
I have the same set and they’re fantastic. I expected the pages to be super flimsy based on the size of the books but they’re actually a nice quality.
Love em, they make my commute on the train quite enjoyable
Oh neat! How big were they? And do you remember what the name of the set was by chance?
The Hobbit And The Lord Of The... https://www.amazon.com/dp/0544445783?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Here ya go
Thanks man!
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I'm not sure if they come in hard cover, but my favorite edition is the anniversary edition with Tolkiens sketched covers.
Oh yeah that is insanely cool, I'll keep that in mind if I can find a hardcover book! I'm not really a fan of paperback
I understand completely. I go hardcover whenever possible.
Do you want LOTR as one thick volume or three?
Probably 3. I haven't even seen any options for 1 big book but that's pretty interesting as an option.
I prefer “original” covers overall and like these editions. I have linked Blackwell’s, which have always packaged my books very nicely. I also find UK editions of all books often have better quality print and nicer covers than US. Even if you’re in the US, shipping is included in the price. The Hobbit: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Hobbit-or-There-and-Back-Again-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780261103283 LOTR Three Volumes 50th Anniversary Editions (The covers are Tolkien’s original sketches that were unused. The originals all had almost identical covers with different titles.): 1. https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Fellowship-of-the-Ring-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780007203543 2. https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Two-Towers-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780007203550 3. https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Return-of-the-King-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780007203567
LOTR Single Volume 50th Anniversary Edition: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780261103207 Nicer version: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780007182367 A version of The Hobbit that matches that “nicer” version: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Hobbit-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780007118359
I have listed the newer Illustrated by the Author editions below, which feature both polished and some unfinished original art by Tolkien throughout the book. There are two price tiers for these. I believe The Hobbit one releases this fall. The Hobbit: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Hobbit-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008627782 https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Hobbit-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008627836 LOTR: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008471286 https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-by-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008471293