If you've read THE LORD OF THE RINGS & THE SILMARILLION you should READ THIS | Tolkien Reading Day

[@fgdj2000]

I've actually once seen a website where you enter your editions and it calculates in what order you'd have to read which section of which of these four works in order to read the full legendarium in chronological order. "Chronological Tolkien" it was called, I think. I'm currently digging into LOTR (I've never finished it, because I got sidetracked and didn't have time, as it isn't a book I want to read during a busy work-week or experience as an audio book while commuting). I've just skimmed through the pages of the illustrated Silmarillion and just looking at the pictures, reading the chapter titles and reading a passage here or there is absolutely, well, enchanting. But I want to read through LOTR first as it is quite different in the details from the films (which I adore) and already provides so much more depth and history than the films themselves were able to (although they really managed to hint that history). Before I conclude this I wish to express my thanks to you, your channel and your Blog (which I've been following for nigh a decade now) for giving me so much valuable insight into Tolkien's work and also the editions, that I almost feel like an expert myself (although a second hand one). So, thank you for your work and making Tolkien, well, approachable ;o)

[@brewingbooks]

Thanks for the heads up on that website and even greater thanks for your kind words and support towards this channel 😃

[@fgdj2000]

I am currently reading UT and have finished LOTR this spring and followed it up with The Silmarillion. I actually didn't have much trouble with it and thought it was truly an amazing tale. One thing That really helped was your advice to really make use of the maps apoended to all the books! I also bought the Tolkien Atlas which helped me particularly with some of the detailed descriptions (after I found out I googled most of the pictures anyway). Thank your for helping me discover what is now one of my favorite authors.😊

[@gmansard641]

I had no choice but read it after the Silmarillion . . . in 1981 The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales were all we had! CJRT's notes and commentary are fantastic.

[@brewingbooks]

Well said indeed 🙂

[@marstu968]

I got it as a gift many years ago and it let me fall even more in love with Middle-Earth. Especially with the Narn I Hin Hurin. It became my favourit story of Tolkiens'.

[@brewingbooks]

Same here :) It really enhanced my appreciate for Tolkien's writing.

[@VoIcanoman]

Agreed. I followed up _The Lord of the Rings_ and _The Silmarillion_ with _Unfinished Tales,_ and the worldbuilding gained far more depth and breadth as I progressed. My only mistake in reading order for Tolkien was not starting it all off with _The Hobbit._ I didn't read this book until after _The Silmarillion,_ and consequently it ended up seeming a mere frivolity in comparison to the great histories of the First and Second Ages. I think I'd have enjoyed it more as an amuse-bouche for Middle-Earth, and not a weird palate-cleanser between weighty tomes.

[@Emyrus17]

I have wanted to read Unfinished Tales. It is on my list. Amongst his other works.

[@brewingbooks]

It's a great read (both scholarly and leisurely)

[@Emyrus17]

@@brewingbooks Awesome. Great to know. Thank you. Did I say that I bough The Silmarillion? It should have been here today, but UPS sucks so...

[@Emyrus17]

@@brewingbooks Got my copy of The Silmarillion today. Thanks to this video I know what to get next. Thank you again.

[@brewingbooks]

@@Emyrus17 That’s fantastic! Cheers

[@Emyrus17]

@@brewingbooks what book you suggest after Unfinished Tales. I just ordered Unfinished Tales.

[@xavierpaquin]

Thanks, I'll be heading there once I'm done with the Silmarillion

[@brewingbooks]

Great! Enjoy the read 👍

[@andreww3609]

The sections on Numenor are my favourite - shame the Mariner's wife story was so underdeveloped.

[@BingoBongoBingerz]

After reading The Hobbit, and Lord of The Rings for the first time towards the end of last year. I finished The Silmarillion. Now funnyly enough I bought Unfinished Tales both in the illustrated Deluxe edition (cloth bound). Plus a paper book as I have done will all the Tolkien books so far. Just now came across this video. After Unfinished Tales. I shall read either Children of Hurin, Fall of Gondolin or Beren and Luthien. After those I shall read Fall of Numenor. Forgot to mention I also purchased The Complete Guide to Middle Earth, in the illustrated deluxe edition. Thsrs after seeing your video. This channel is addictive for purchasing Tolkien books.

[@brewingbooks]

Thanks for sharing and for your kind words. Enjoy your reading! 👍

[@silmaril8989]

Already read it some years ago, it really enhances and expands on Tolkien's world :)

[@Reddishbrownhorse]

I recently finished UT, excellent book. I enjoyed all of the stories but Aldorion and Elendris was my favorite. I am now reading the Children of Húrin.

[@presidenthobi1085]

I would definitely buy the Saga of the Jewels and the Rings 😊👍🏼 I think the Lord of the Rings could be subtitled the Tale of the Ring and the Sword. These objects anchor the stories and provide touchstones in the vast sweep of the history of Arda.

[@brewingbooks]

Who knows, maybe one day …

[@CathyFrontier]

Thanks for a great and detailed overview! Definitely going to read it soon after seeing this!

[@brewingbooks]

Cheers! 😃

[@danaekoloka9819]

LOTR is my top book and film series

[@brewingbooks]

Agreed!

[@footballlover9207]

I've been thinking about buying The Silmarillion but not sure yet. I'm reading LOTR for the first time (already read The Hobbit prior!) And have enjoyed the adventures. Been considering getting The Unfinished Tales and such as well. I want to be a writer of fantasy similar to Tolkien's work and have been greatly inspired by what I've read so far!

[@TheToneBender]

Silmarillion first. Tolkien intended it to be published alongside LotR, but the publishers (fools!) though it was a bad idea. Other book recommendations are Wheel of Time; Mistborn trilogy; Stormlight Archive; Kingkiller Chronicles; the Witcher series; A Song of Ice and Fire

[@Reddishbrownhorse]

They just announced a new version of the Silmarillion. It will contain illustrations by the Professor himself.

[@VoIcanoman]

If you do end up reading _The Silmarillion,_ try to think of it more as a "history textbook" than a novel. It doesn't have a conventional narrative structure as it is an in-universe telling of what are deemed to be actual historical events (which don't generally conform to the rules of narrative), illuminating the long ages before _The Lord of the Rings,_ and teaching the reader about the history of the land, the gods and the peoples of Middle-Earth through story and mythology. It is a wonderful book...but VERY different from _The Hobbit_ and _The Lord of the Rings._

[@NElectronicLyrics]

I have to Unfinished Tales with illustrations. It's amazing book ♥

[@Yesica1993]

I read some of it, but I don't think I completed it. Again, the "unfinished-ness" of it is difficult for me. At the time, I went into it not knowing much about it. The information you've given is helpful. Tolkien newbies don't want to leave that world after reading The Hobbit/LOTR. (Even seasoned readers feel that way!) But the poor n00bs dive into these other works expecting a similar, straight narrative. Even if the title says, "unfinished", and even if you skim the introductory info, sometimes you're not paying that close attention because you want to get to the meat of the story. It can be a bit jarring. Some prep work is helpful in this case. Thanks! I just discovered your channel last night and I love it.

[@brewingbooks]

It is indeed more academic in nature than your average reader might wish for. But there are some true gems in this book, and it’s always fun unearthing them and discovering new narratives and characters in Tolkien’s world 🙂

[@brewingbooks]

It is indeed more academic in nature than your average reader might wish for. But there are some true gems in this book, and it’s always fun unearthing them and discovering new narratives and characters in Tolkien’s world 🙂

[@DudeBroDaGod]

Amazing video again!

[@susioeandno1else]

Omg i love your accent

[@brewingbooks]

Cheers :)

[@benjaminjeffery6873]

What is the name of the piece of music you use throughout the video? It’s very pleasant.

[@brewingbooks]

It’s called “Stark goes Dark” by The Whole Other

[@benjaminjeffery6873]

@@brewingbooks thank you so much! You have a very calm voice and mannerisms, I think you should do videos on Tolkien lore and Saxon - Norse mythology works as well. Would love to see more form videos.

[@brewingbooks]

@@benjaminjeffery6873 thank you very much!

[@skatemetrix]

And then after completing Unfinished Tales readers (brave ones) should start on the History of Middle Earth and start with Volumes 1 and 2: The Book of Lost Tales- those tales are like a hobbit version of the Silmarillion (almost) and introduces you to the bizarre Cottage of Lost Play and the character who started it all: Ælfwine!

[@hazbojangles2681]

Before that read Beren and Luthien and The Fall of Gondolin

[@rj-yr4ql]

Nah. No need to read the Silmarilion. It was published after Tolkien's life, and his son, the one who edited it, made waaaay too many liberties. Easy pass.

[@brewingbooks]

Fair enough 👍