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Quick answer: If you loved The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, try A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, Eragon by Christopher Paolini, The Princess Bride by William Goldman, Redwall by Brian Jacques and The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.
The Hobbit sends a comfort-loving hobbit named Bilbo Baggins out the door on a quest with thirteen dwarves, a wizard and a dragon waiting at the end. It’s cozy, funny and full of danger, and it has introduced generations of readers to fantasy. If you finished it and want something similar, the books below offer maps, quests, unlikely heroes, talking creatures and a sense of wonder. Most suit readers from about age 9, and a few are written for adults who want a bigger, darker world.
Table of Contents
Why Readers Love The Hobbit
Readers love The Hobbit because it feels like being told a story by a fire. Tolkien’s narrator speaks directly to the reader, the riddles in the dark with Gollum are famous, and Bilbo’s journey from reluctant homebody to hero is satisfying and funny. The book moves faster and lighter than The Lord of the Rings, which makes it a favorite first fantasy for kids and a comfort read for adults. The map on the opening pages and the songs sung along the way add to the charm.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick below shares at least one thing readers loved about The Hobbit: its characters, its mood, its setting or the questions it raises. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious choices, and we noted the genre and who each book suits best in the table, so you can scan for the right fit before you read the blurbs.
We kept every description spoiler-free and flagged mature content where it matters, since some of these books are written for adults and others suit teens. If you’re not sure where to start, the tips near the end of this list match each pick to what you loved most. The FAQ at the bottom answers the questions readers ask most often.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Fellowship of the Ring | J.R.R. Tolkien | 9+ | The natural next step |
| The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | C.S. Lewis | 7+ | Younger fantasy readers |
| A Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | 10+ | A thoughtful classic |
| Eragon | Christopher Paolini | 10+ | Dragons and quests |
| The Princess Bride | William Goldman | 12+ | Funny, adventurous fun |
| Redwall | Brian Jacques | 8+ | Animal heroes and feasts |
| The Name of the Wind | Patrick Rothfuss | Adult | Adults who want a rich world |
| The Dragonbone Chair | Tad Williams | Adult | Epic quests |
| The Book of Three | Lloyd Alexander | 9+ | Quests with unlikely heroes |
| The Phantom Tollbooth | Norton Juster | 8+ | Wordplay and wonder |
| The Golden Compass | Philip Pullman | 11+ | Another classic quest |
| The Hero and the Crown | Robin McKinley | 11+ | Dragon-slaying heroines |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Adult | Heist fantasy |
| Howl’s Moving Castle | Diana Wynne Jones | 10+ | Cozy, magical stories |
| The Wee Free Men | Terry Pratchett | 10+ | Funny adventures |
1. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Frodo, Bilbo’s nephew, inherits a ring that must be destroyed. The story is longer and darker than The Hobbit, but it follows directly from it.
2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Four siblings step through a wardrobe into a snowy land of talking animals ruled by a white witch. It’s a classic read-aloud.
3. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
A young wizard’s pride unleashes a shadow he must face. It’s short, wise and beautifully written.
4. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
A farm boy finds a dragon egg and becomes a Dragon Rider. It’s an epic quest with maps, magic and a growing band of allies.
5. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
A farm boy, a princess, a giant and a swordsman collide in this witty tale of true love. It’s more clever than any movie.
6. Redwall by Brian Jacques
The mice of Redwall Abbey defend their home against a rat warlord. The feasts are legendary.
7. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Kvothe tells the story of his life as a gifted young magician. It’s long, lyrical and the start of a famous trilogy.
8. The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams
A kitchen boy is swept up in a kingdom’s struggle for the throne. It inspired many later fantasy sagas, including A Song of Ice and Fire.
9. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Taran, a young assistant pig-keeper, becomes a hero in the land of Prydain. It begins the five-book Chronicles of Prydain.
10. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
A bored boy drives through a magic tollbooth into a land of puns and puzzles. It’s clever and delightful.
11. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Lyra, a bold girl, journeys to the far north to rescue kidnapped children. It’s thrilling and full of daemons and armored bears.
12. The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
A princess who doesn’t fit in becomes a dragon slayer. It’s a classic of strong female-led fantasy.
13. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
A street thief joins a crew plotting to overthrow an immortal emperor. It has an amazing magic system and a hopeful story.
14. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
A young woman cursed to look old becomes the housekeeper of a wizard’s walking castle. It’s funny and charming.
15. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
A young witch-in-training teams up with tiny blue pictsies to save her brother from the Fairy Queen. It’s both hilarious and heartfelt.
How to Pick Your Next Fantasy Adventure After The Hobbit
- Want more Middle-earth? Start with The Fellowship of the Ring.
- Want dragons? Eragon and The Hero and the Crown.
- Want laughs? The Princess Bride and The Wee Free Men.
- Reading with younger kids? The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Redwall.
- Want a richer, adult world? The Name of the Wind and The Dragonbone Chair.
- Check the ages. The Golden Compass and adult titles are for older readers.
Should You Read The Hobbit Before The Lord of the Rings?
Yes. The Hobbit was written first and sets up the Ring, Gollum and Bilbo’s story, which pays off in The Lord of the Rings. It’s shorter and lighter in tone, so it eases you into Tolkien’s world. After the trilogy, The Silmarillion tells the older history of Middle-earth, but it reads more like a mythology than a novel and is best saved for dedicated fans.
Related: what age The Hobbit is appropriate for and best fantasy books for book clubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What book is most like The Hobbit?
The Fellowship of the Ring is the natural sequel, and A Wizard of Earthsea and The Princess Bride match its mix of adventure and charm.
What age is The Hobbit for?
The Hobbit works well from about age 9, and many families read it aloud with younger children.
What should I read after The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings?
Try A Wizard of Earthsea, Mistborn or The Name of the Wind for more epic fantasy.