Which is the best order to read them?

[Theoden]

Hi, i'm new to his site and i'm re-entering the Lord of the Rings world so here goes my question...
I've read up to The Two Towers, but since I stopped reading for a time I decided to start from The Fellowship again.
While I read I sometimes get confused. I don't know if it means I need to read the other books first before LotR, so any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

Hi, Theoden, welcome and enjoy being dead!
I assume that by 'other books' you mean the Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and the Hobbit.
The Hobbit is kind of an independent proloque to LotR but it's not really necessary to start with it. I read LotR before the Hobbit and I didn't have problems with that. If you are going to read those books twice it's interesting to notice totally new things and links between them.

The Sil is more historical than novel-like book of M-E. So is UT which just expands the stories told in the Sil, Hobbit and LotR.

This would be one possible order to read the books: 1)Hobbit 2)LotR 3)Silmarillion 4)Unfinished Tales
But that's only one alternative. Do as you like. smilies/smile.gif

[Theoden]

Thanks...
Yes, by "other books" I meant The Hobbit, UT and The Similarion.
But, what about: the Treason of Isengard, Sauron Defeated, Return of The Shadow and War of The Ring?

[Goldberry]

Return of the Shadow, Treason of Isengard, War of the Ring and Sauron Defeated are all part of a series called History of Middle-Earth (HoME). I believe there are 12 books in this series, all expanding even further the tales told in LotR, The Silm. and UT. The four books I mentioned at the top are volumes 6-9 of HoME (I think). They are also part of a sub-series called "History of Lord of the Rings." I know, it's confusing. smilies/tongue.gif

[Voralphion]

I suggest you don't read the history of ME series until you have read the other books as it can be rather difficult reading.