the books of middle earth

The History of Middle Earth Books in Order (12 Book Series)

The History of Middle Earth is a series of 12 books written by J. R. R. Tolkien. Here, you can see them all in order! (plus the year each book was published)

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

• The History of Middle Earth Books in Order

The Book of Lost Tales, Part One

The history of middle-earth, book 1.

J. R. R. Tolkien

The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two

The history of middle-earth, book 2.

The Lays of Beleriand

The history of middle-earth, book 3.

The Shaping of Middle-earth

The history of middle-earth, book 4.

The Lost Road and Other Writings

The history of middle-earth, book 5.

The Return of the Shadow

The history of middle-earth, book 6.

The Treason of Isengard

The history of middle-earth, book 7.

The War of the Ring

The history of middle-earth, book 8.

Sauron Defeated

The history of middle-earth, book 9.

Morgoth's Ring

The history of middle-earth, book 10.

The War of the Jewels

The history of middle-earth, book 11.

The Peoples of Middle-Earth

The history of middle-earth, book 12, what to read next.

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The Lord of the Rings Books in Order: A Complete Guide to Tolkien’s Middle-Earth Saga

Are you ready to discover the enchanting world of Middle-earth with our definitive guide to reading The Lord of the Rings books in order? Whether you’re a first-time reader or a seasoned fan, this guide will help you unlock the optimal sequence for an immersive journey through J.R.R. Tolkien’s timeless masterpiece.

About J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien (John Ronald Reuel Tolkien) was an English writer, philologist, and university professor, born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He is best known for his high fantasy works, particularly “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

“The Hobbit,” published in 1937, is a children’s fantasy novel that follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, as he helps a group of dwarves reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug. It serves as a prelude to Tolkien’s more extensive and complex work, “The Lord of the Rings.”

“The Lord of the Rings” is a trilogy consisting of three books: “The Fellowship of the Ring” (1954), “The Two Towers” (1954), and “The Return of the King” (1955). The story is set in the fictional world of Middle-earth and revolves around the One Ring, a powerful and malevolent ring created by the Dark Lord Sauron. The protagonist, Frodo Baggins, along with a diverse group of characters known as the Fellowship of the Ring, embarks on a perilous journey to Mount Doom to destroy the Ring and defeat Sauron.

Tolkien’s works are highly regarded for their depth of world-building, rich mythology, and intricate languages. He was a philologist and a professor of Anglo-Saxon at the University of Oxford, and these academic interests heavily influenced the linguistic and cultural aspects of Middle-earth.

“The Lord of the Rings” has become a classic of modern literature and has had a significant impact on the fantasy genre. It has been adapted into various forms of media, including film, with director Peter Jackson’s acclaimed film trilogy released in the early 2000s.

Tolkien’s contributions to literature and fantasy have left a lasting legacy, and his works continue to captivate readers and inspire new generations of writers. He passed away on September 2, 1973, but his influence on the fantasy genre endures.

How Many The Lord of the Rings Books Are There in the Series?

Tolkien’s primary Middle-earth saga comprises four books: The Hobbit and the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings—Fellowship of the Ring, Two Towers, and Return of the King.

However, it should be noted that Tolkien authored additional works set in Middle-earth, some of which he did not publish during his lifetime. These unpublished writings were later edited and released by his son, Christopher, and we’ve included them as well on the list below.

The Lord of the Rings Books in Order of Publication

• The Hobbit (1937)
• The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
• The Two Towers (1954)
• The Return of the King (1955)
• The Silmarillion (1977)
• Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-earth (1980)
• The Children of Hurin (2007)
• Beren and Luthien (2017)
• The Fall of Gondolin (2018)

The Lord of the Rings Books Summary

Now that you know all of The Lord of the Rings books in order of publication, let’s delve into the summaries of the series. However, if this marks your inaugural journey into Tolkien’s Middle-earth saga be mindful that these summaries may unveil spoilers for events from previous installments.

1. The Hobbit (1937)

The Hobbit follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who is reluctantly drawn into an epic quest to help a group of dwarves reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo discovers courage and a magical ring that becomes central to Tolkien’s later works, including “The Lord of the Rings.”

2. The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)

The book tells the story of Frodo Baggins, who, along with a diverse group of companions, sets out on a dangerous journey to destroy the One Ring and thwart the dark lord Sauron’s plans for domination. The fellowship faces numerous challenges as they traverse Middle-earth, encountering allies and adversaries on their quest.

3. The Two Towers (1954)

The story continues the quest to destroy the One Ring as Frodo and Sam journey deeper into Mordor, while Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli join forces to defend the realm of Rohan against the forces of Saruman. The narrative unfolds across parallel storylines, with characters facing challenges, battles, and the growing threat of Sauron’s power.

4. The Return of the King (1955)

It depicts the culmination of the epic quest to destroy the One Ring. As Frodo and Sam approach Mount Doom to destroy the Ring, Aragorn leads the forces of Gondor and Rohan in a final confrontation against Sauron’s armies. The book explores themes of sacrifice, friendship, and the struggle between good and evil, culminating in the resolution of the fate of Middle-earth.

5. The Silmarillion (1977)

“The Silmarillion” is a collection of mythopoeic stories by J.R.R. Tolkien, posthumously published in 1977. It delves into the rich history and mythology of Middle-earth, chronicling the creation of the world, the struggles between the forces of good and evil, and the destinies of the Elves, Men, and other races. Key events include the crafting of the Silmarils, the downfall of the Elven city of Gondolin, and the epic battles against the dark lord Morgoth. The narrative spans from the beginning of time to the events leading up to “The Lord of the Rings.”

6. Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-earth (1980)

This very book is a posthumously published collection of narratives and writings by J.R.R. Tolkien, compiled and edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien. Released in 1980, the book offers additional insights into the legendarium of Middle-earth, providing unfinished or alternative versions of stories from “The Silmarillion” and “The Lord of the Rings.” It includes tales about Númenor, the history of the Elves, and other aspects of Tolkien’s fictional world, shedding light on events and characters that were not fully developed in the published works.

7. The Children of Hurin (2007)

The Children of Hurin is about the tragic tale of Húrin Thalion and his children, Túrin Turambar and Nienor. Cursed by the dark lord Morgoth, their lives are marked by sorrow, betrayal, and a relentless struggle against an inescapable fate. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, offering a more detailed exploration of events mentioned in “The Silmarillion” and providing a somber and gripping narrative of heroism and tragedy. It was edited and completed by Christopher Tolkien and published in 2007.

8. Beren and Luthien (2017)

The book explores the tale of Beren, a mortal man, and Lúthien, an immortal Elf, as they embark on a quest to recover a Silmaril, a powerful and magical jewel. Their love story is set against the backdrop of the conflicts and challenges of Middle-earth, involving encounters with legendary characters and facing formidable adversaries. The narrative in “Beren and Lúthien” is part of the broader legendarium of Middle-earth, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the rich mythology created by J.R.R. Tolkien.

9. The Fall of Gondolin (2018)

The story recounts the tragic and epic events surrounding the Elven city of Gondolin, one of the most significant tales in Tolkien’s legendarium. It follows the efforts of Tuor, a mortal man, and the Elven princess Idril, as they seek to escape the city’s impending doom brought about by the dark forces of Morgoth. The narrative explores themes of heroism, betrayal, and the ultimate fall of a majestic and hidden Elven realm in the First Age of Middle-earth. It was the last book edited and published posthumously by Christopher Tolkien before his death.

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How to Read The Lord of the Rings In Order

Now that Rings of Power has ended, it's time to do your homework.

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If you haven’t read the series, how I envy you! Newcomers are in for an unforgettable reading experience. You’ll always remember the first time you encountered these moving, masterfully imagined epics about the struggle between good and evil, the delicate balance of death and immortality, and the addictive danger of power. But The Lord of the Rings is just the tip of the iceberg; Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium encompasses thousands of years and dozens of other works, meaning that if you dive in, it may be quite a long time before you make it there and back again.

What’s the best path for reading your way through, you ask? It’s a simple question, but one bound to rile up Tolkien fans, who love and study the author’s works with serious devotion. I know because I’m one of them. Yes, dear reader, you caught me—I’ve been a Tolkienite since age eight, when I got my hands on The Hobbit and it changed my little brain forever. I grew up in Tolkien’s wide, wild world in the way that other members of my generation grew up in Narnia or Hogwarts; these books are an enduring part of my heart and identity, and they can be for you, too.

Below, I’ve charted a choose your own adventure course through the lore, with exit points for the casual reader and bonus material for the newly converted Tolkienite. Additionally, for anyone looking to do their homework about the Rings of Power lore , I've flagged the books that will enrich your viewing of the series. What kind of Tolkien reader will you be? Time to start reading and find out. (And once you've finished, check out our maps to Dune , Game of Thrones , and The Wheel of Time next.)

Mariner Books The Hobbit

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” With this immortal line, the journey through Middle-earth begins. We recommend starting your adventure with The Hobbit , Tolkien’s first published foray into Middle-earth, before moving onto The Lord of the Rings proper. The Hobbit is a rollicking good read, and a superb place to get your feet wet. This is the tale of Bilbo Baggins, a respectable, homebody hobbit (a race of short, furry-footed people who live in underground homes). When an itinerant wizard and a company of dwarves come knocking, Bilbo is swept into their expedition to the Lonely Mountain, where the dwarves intend to recapture their people’s vast treasure from the dangerous dragon Smaug. The treacherous journey awakens Bilbo’s thirst for adventure, places him in a host of thrillingly sticky situations, and sends him packing with a mysterious magical ring…

Mariner Books The Fellowship of the Ring

The Lord of the Rings begins in earnest with The Fellowship of the Ring . When Bilbo Baggins suddenly disappears from his 111th birthday party, his beloved ring falls into the hands of his young heir, Frodo Baggins. The wizard Gandalf confirms that this is the One Ring, lost by the Dark Lord Sauron long ago, and urges Frodo to spirit it to the elven stronghold of Rivendell. In Rivendell, the Fellowship of the Ring assembles: nine walkers of different races, banded together on a quest to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mordor, thus saving the world from an ancient, cosmic evil. The perilous journey across mountains, forests, and rivers tests them, endangers them, and ultimately divides them.

Mariner Books The Two Towers

The saga continues in The Two Towers , which sees the members of the Fellowship scattered to the winds. Following their capture by bloodthirsty orcs, Merry and Pippin disappear into foreboding Fangorn Forest, where they take up with sentient trees; meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli reconnect with a changed Gandalf, then come to the aid of Rohan’s struggling people. Frodo and Sam, en route to Mordor, form an uneasy alliance with the wretched creature Gollum, who guides them to their destination while plotting to steal the ring. As this installment ends, the shadow of Sauron grows across the lands, while armies everywhere steel themselves for a climactic battle.

Mariner Books The Return of the King

The trilogy concludes thrillingly with The Return of the King . As Frodo falls dangerously under the sway of the ring’s dark magic during the hazardous journey through Mordor, Aragorn and his forces stage a last stand at the Black Gate of Mordor, and Frodo makes a seismic sacrifice to destroy the ring once and for all. Ultimately, Aragorn steps into his destiny as King of Gondor and peace reigns, but readers coming to the series from the films will be disarmed by the hobbits’ homecoming. Still in thrall to the evil Saruman, the Shire needs a champion, forcing the hobbits to mount a rebellion in the fateful Scouring of the Shire. Frodo, beleaguered by the physical and psychological toll of the ring, passes into the Undying Lands to find peace, and harmony settles over Middle-earth.

If you're getting into Tolkien after Rings of Power , you'll want to start your coursework at the back of The Return of the King with the appendices, where Tolkien provides a chronology of the Second and Third Ages. Rings of Power dramatizes the Second Age, which includes such memorable episodes as the rise and fall of Númenor, as well as The Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Per the terms of their deal with the Tolkien estate, Amazon only owns the on-screen rights to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit , and the appendices, so pay close attention as you work your way through—you'll likely remember a lot of this action from the small screen.

Mariner Books The Silmarillion

As epic as The Lord of the Rings may feel, the series spans just a fraction of Middle-earth’s history. In The Silmarillion , his mythopoetic masterpiece, Tolkien takes us back to the dawn of time, unspooling legends like the creation of the universe, the awakening of the elves, and the rise of Middle-earth’s greatest villains. For fans of the Peter Jackson films, a shred of this material will seem familiar, as Galadriel’s Fellowship of the Ring prologue recounts some of these stories (like the forging of the Rings of Power). Dense with lore and lusciously imagined, The Silmarillion isn’t for the faint of heart, but it rewards devoted study, shading in the millennia of history behind the core legendarium of Middle-earth. Amazon's deal with the Tolkien estate doesn't encompass the rights to The Silmarillion , so Rings of Power doesn't tread here, but it's still well worth your time, as your enjoyment of Second Age stories will no doubt be enriched by their First Age context.

Mariner Books Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth

Here’s where the rubber meets the road. If you’re confident you've been brought up to speed on Middle-earth by now, feel free to exit through the gift shop. If you’re hooked on Tolkien and eager to keep exploring, come sit by me . Unfinished Tales consists of stories and essays Tolkien failed to complete in his lifetime, stitched together in a more coherent form by Christopher Tolkien, the author’s son and literary executor. Some of these stories recount events from The Silmarillion , while others expand our knowledge of Middle-earth with additional context, like a deep dive into the origins of wizards or a more detailed narrative of how Isildur lost the One Ring. Unfinished Tales is another valuable resource for students of Rings of Power , as “A Description of the Island of Númenor” comes in handy when the show sets up shop in that fateful location.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The Children of Húrin

The first of three standalone “great tales” set in Middle-earth’s First Age, The Children of Húrin is—you guessed it—another unfinished manuscript salvaged by Christopher Tolkien. Long before the One Ring was forged, a great warrior named Húrin dared to defy Morgoth, the Lucifer-esque fallen god who terrorized Middle Earth in its early millennia (and later trained a fearsome lieutenant in Sauron). As punishment for his defiance, Húrin was immobilized on a mountaintop, where he paid the ultimate price: day in and day out, Morgoth forced him to watch the evils visited upon his children, culminating in their death and disappearance, as well as some downright Oedipal tragedy. The Children of Húrin is heavy, by Tolkien’s standards, but like other auxiliary tales, it rounds out The Silmarillion with lush additional detail.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Beren and Lúthien

Tolkien, you ol' softie. The second of the great tales is the tragic romance of Beren, a mortal man, and Lúthien, an immortal elf maiden. In order to win Lúthien's hand in marriage from her disapproving father, Beren set to the monumental task of robbing Morgoth of a Silmaril (three prized jewels of the elves, containing divine light). Together the couple achieved the task, but Beren died immediately after, inspiring such grief in Lúthien that she too laid down and died. In the halls of the gods, Lúthien shared an elegiac song with the god of death. Moved by her lamentation, he restored the couple to life, on the condition that they would both die a mortal death. This romantic fable is a foundational myth of The Silmarillion , as well as a deliberate mirroring of the romance between Aragorn and Arwen—herself a descendent of Lúthien, who, like her ancestor, would marry a mortal man, choosing “both the sweet and the bitter." If you read only one of the great tales, make it this one.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The Fall of Gondolin

In the third and final volume of the great tales, Tolkien sets his sights on Gondolin, a secret elven utopia betrayed and destroyed during the First Age. When Gondolin’s location was betrayed to Morgoth, the vengeful god sent an army of orcs, balrogs, and dragons to siege the city. Gondolin’s epic fall calls to mind the sack of Troy, and makes for riveting reading. Survivors of the disaster would become ancestors of both Elrond and Aragorn. The Fall of Gondolin isn’t required reading, but for Tolkien fans who particularly love his elvish lore, it’s a slam dunk.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The History of Middle-earth

After Unfinished Tales was published to great critical and commercial interest, Christopher Tolkien kept exploring his father’s archive. He anthologized his findings into The History of Middle-earth, a downright massive twelve-volume series containing Tolkien’s vast droves of auxiliary lore, from stories to poems to song cycles. Some of these volumes expand The Lord of the Rings , while others expand The Silmarillion . None are earth-shattering, but for the Tolkien completionist, they’re a welcome journey back into Middle-earth, and an opportunity to consider familiar events from a fresh perspective.

The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales From the Second Age

The Tolkien machine keeps on trucking with this new volume of Second Age tales, due out in November. Is it any coincidence that this book should hit shelves right as Amazon brings this era of Middle-earth to the small screen? Surely it's not, but there's no such thing as too much Tolkien. The author famously described the Second Age as "a dark age, and not very much of its history is (or need be) told," but clearly, there was more story than first met the eye. Stitched into one comprehensive volume by editor Brian Sibley, along with new illustrations by frequent Tolkien flyer Alan Lee, this book will be an invaluable resource for fans eager to dig deep on Rings of Power .

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth

If you’ve made it this far and you still can’t get enough Tolkien, add Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth to your coffee table rotation. This hefty tome explores the visual dimensions of Tolkien’s oeuvre: illustrations, maps, letters, and manuscripts, all of it paired with essays tracing the mythological influences behind Tolkien’s monumental creative endeavors. It’s an excellent supplement to the books you know and love, as well as a sumptuous collector’s item any Tolkien fan would cherish.

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The History of Middle-Earth Series

The history of middle-earth books in order.

• Middle-earth source literature
• Primary literature

The History of Middle-earth

• View history

The History of Middle-earth (abbreviated sometimes as HoME or THOME ) is a 13-volume series of books that collects and analyses material relating to Middle-earth , twelve of which were compiled and edited by the son of J.R.R. Tolkien , Christopher Tolkien . The series is collectively a full study of the evolution of Tolkien's legendarium , featuring hundreds of transcripts, revisions, and poems.

Materials relating to The Hobbit are not included, but are covered instead in the separate authorized book, The History of The Hobbit: Mr Baggins and Return to Bag-End , by John D. Rateliff .

• 4 Translations

Overview [ ]

Most of the content consists of earlier versions of already published works by Tolkien, while other portions are completely new material. These books are exceedingly detailed, to the point of documenting scraps of paper (of J.R.R. Tolkien's) that had been erased multiple times with many footnotes. Christopher Tolkien thoroughly documents the history of the writing of the Middle-earth stories, with as much detail as his father documented the fictional history of Middle-earth itself.

The first two books introduce readers to The Book of Lost Tales , a mythology for England from which Tolkien drew ideas that eventually became the 'Silmarillion' mythology . The next three books follow the history of the emerging early mythology, usually known as The Silmarillion . The discussion of the published book is deferred until book ten. Books six through nine discuss the development of The Lord of the Rings , book nine's second half discussing the story of Númenor (the first versions of which were covered in Book Five). Book ten and eleven discuss the Annals of Beleriand and Annals of Aman , works which were developed together with the Silmarillion tradition and which also served as source material for the published Silmarillion . Book twelve discusses the development of the Appendices to The Lord of the Rings , followed by some assorted essays from Tolkien's last years of life.

Though not officially labeled as such, Unfinished Tales and The Nature of Middle-earth are often considered the unofficial thirteenth and fourteenth volumes of the series. [ citation needed ]

• The Book of Lost Tales Part One (1983)
• The Book of Lost Tales Part Two (1984)
• The Lays of Beleriand (1985)
• The Shaping of Middle-earth: The Quenta, The Ambarkanta, and The Annals (1986)
• The Lost Road and Other Writings (1987)
• The Return of the Shadow (1988)
• The Treason of Isengard (1989)
• The War of the Ring (1990)
• Sauron Defeated (1992)
• Morgoth's Ring (1993)
• The War of the Jewels (1994)
• The Peoples of Middle-earth (1996)
• The History of Middle-earth: Index (2002)

The official thirteenth volume, The History of Middle-earth: Index, completely integrates all indices from the other twelve books into one index.

After the twelfth volume was released, the most prominent Tolkien scholars at the time studied the series, and wrote essays on it, culminating in Tolkien's Legendarium: Essays on The History of Middle-earth , published in 2000.

Editions [ ]

The History of Middle-earth was first published by Houghton Mifflin Company starting in 1986, as single-colored hardcover volumes. In 2003, Del Rey Books (of Ballantine Books ) published smaller mass-market paperback editions, with illustrated covers.

The collection was published as a single, three-volume set for the first time in 2002, by HarperCollins . In 2015, HarperCollins released a paperback edition of each volume, with black spines and cover-art by John Howe . In 2017, they released a special "collector's edition" of the series contained in three large, boxed volumes.

Gallery [ ]

Translations [ ]

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Who is Tom Bombadil, Middle Earth’s most powerful hermit?

The incredibly rich world J.R.R. Tolkien put to page in his iconic fantasy series has kept readers, viewers, and even gamers fascinated for more than eight decades. Over that time, his fans have come to love a range of incredible characters, not the least of whom being the singularly powerful Tom Bombadil .

He’s not a character fans of the films or television series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will easily recognize, but that’s set to change with season 2 of the Prime Video prequel. Bombadil is prepped to enjoy his television debut with the incoming second season, introducing a brand new legion of fans to the ancient and mysterious character. He’s wacky, weird, a bit strangely dressed, and keeps far from the politics of Middle Earth, but through it all Tom Bombadil may also be the oldest and most powerful creature J.R.R. Tolkien ever dreamed up.

Who is Tom Bombadil?

Anytime I see Tom Bombadil’s name, a silly song echoes through the years to stick in my skull like a burr. Brought to life in not-quite spectacular quality by a poorly-reviewed 2002 Fellowship of the Ring PC game, I can’t help but remember the charming song that first introduced this character into my life.

To be fair, by the time I’d played the game the book was already a beloved part of my identity, but Tom Bombadil truly came to life for me in that goofy, low-quality release. And it is the song Frodo sings to summon the strangely powerful Bombadil that locked the character in my head for good, right alongside (for some reason) the Entish word for hill. (A-lalla-lalla-lalla-rumba-kamanda-lind-or-burúmë, for those wondering).

Tom Bombadil is at once an utterly vital Lord of the Rings character, and also a truly inconsequential one. He is perhaps the oldest being in all of Middle Earth — he’s got some competition, but many Tolkienites agree that he was the first — and he’s also among the most powerful. Unfortunately, he cares not for the silly, passing politics of the mortal beings around him, so even when the world was burning, Bombadil kept to himself.

In Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Bombadil is introduced early in the story, as our quartet of beloved Hobbits make their way out of the Shire. He resides in the depths of the Old Forest in a place called Withywindle with his river-spirit wife, Goldberry. There, he maintains seemingly endless power over his minor domain, but spends little time worrying over anything beyond his borders.

Bombadil comes across as a kindly and eccentric wizard, but one who — despite that kindness — refuses to concern himself with the insidious schemes of the Dark Lord, Mordor, or the darkening days that are encroaching as Frodo and the Hob Squad depart their land for parts unknown. He was around long before the Dark Lord Sauron arose — or was even a glimmer in Arda’s eye — and he may have even walked the reaches of Middle Earth before the Valar.

Bombadil is known, in legend at least, to every race on Middle Earth, but many of them assume him to be little more than fiction. He has many names, in different corners of the world, but all cultures seem to see him as near-mythical. Despite this fact — and the overarching fan assumption that, had he interfered, he may have been able to stop the war singlehandedly — Bombadil seemingly wanted nothing more than to settle in his minor domain, enjoy the company of his beautiful wife, and sometimes engage in a strangely powerful (and always silly) song, suited up in his blue jacket and yellow boots.

Bombadil is a mystery, and one that Tolkien gleefully allowed to remain an overarching question across each of his works. He’s insanely formidable but strangely scatterbrained, utterly ancient but occasionally childlike, and through it all, he treats the world like a collector treats an ant colony. He has respect for the lives of the little beings around him, but their troubles are so far beneath him they don’t even register. Gandalf even says as much at the Council of Elrond, noting that — while the One Ring has no power over Bombadil — he’d be more likely to forget about the Ring than destroy it, were it given to him.

As a result, Bombadil exists in the background of Tolkien canon. He’s a foundational aspect to the story of Middle Earth, but all the major points would also remain the same if he never existed. Sometimes life is strange that way, and if there’s one thing Tom Bombadil inarguably is, it’s strange.

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The cult Lord of the Rings character finally getting their moment in the sun

Tom bombadil has been omitted from all screen adaptations of jrr tolkiens’ books – so far, article bookmarked.

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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is going deep into JRR Tolkien ’s treasure trove to finally shed light on a cult character who has – until now – been omitted from every other screen adaptation of the author’s popular fantasy books .

Season two of Amazon’s big-budget TV series , which is set in Tolkien’s fantasy world centuries before the events of The Lord of the Rings , will welcome Tom Bombadil, played by Rory Kinnear ( The Imitation Game ).

Tom was first introduced in print in Tolkien’s 1934 poem “The Adventures of Tom Bombadil”. Described in the text as “older than the old”, he was characterized as an offbeat, good-natured entity who is the first being to exist in Middle Earth.

“There’s a reason why he hasn’t been in prior adaptations, because in some ways he’s sort of an anti-dramatic character,” The Rings of Power showrunner JD Payne told Vanity Fair in an exclusive first look.

“He’s not a character who has a particularly strong agenda. He observes drama, but largely doesn’t participate in it. In The Fellowship of the Ring, the characters kind of just go there and hang out for a while, and Tom drops some knowledge on them.”

“Knowledge that’s not particularly relevant to anything that they’re doing or about to do,” showrunner Patrick McKay added.

In exclusive photos published by VF , Kinnear is shown in character with a straight face, wearing a brown wizard cap, a light blue cape and an overgrown brown beard.

Several fans have reacted skeptically to the photos, with one arguing that Tom “would never have such a serious expression such as this”.

“The fact that our first official image is of him completely straight-faced instead of smiling isn’t a good sign,” another added.

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Payne acknowledged that while “[Tom] can be a force for good”, the challenge was in how to integrate him dramatically, especially when he doesn’t have an agenda. “He’s not driving forward and pushing people to arrive at any particular end,” he explained.

“We started thinking, What does he care about? And how can that be a doorway to drama?” Payne added. “We know he cares about the natural world. And we know he is a helper. He’s not going to push you, but he will help you. And so, traditionally, he lives in this place called the Withywindle, which is this sort of almost enchanted forest.”

Payne and McKay instead took creative liberty to place his home in a region called Rhûn, where The Rings of Power ’s second season will see the hobbits Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and Poppy (Megan Richards) guide the Stranger (Daniel Weyman), the amnesic wizard unveiled at the end of season one.

“We learn [Rhûn] used to be sort of Edenic and green and beautiful, but now is sort of a dead wasteland,” Payne said. “Tom has gone out there to see what’s happened as he goes on his various wanderings.”

“When he finally crosses paths with the Stranger, you could say he has a desire to try to keep the destruction that has happened there from spreading to his beloved lands in the West. He nudges the Stranger along his journey, which he knows will eventually protect the larger natural world that he cares about. So I’d say our Tom Bombadil is slightly more interventionist than you see in the books, but only by 5 percent or 10 percent.”

Season two of The Rings of Power premieres on Amazon’s Prime Video on 29 August.

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Trending Post : Books Made Into Movies

18 Great Children’s Geography Books for Kids

This post may contain affiliate links.

It’s so important to read good children’s geography books so that our children understand concepts such as communities and a global perspective . Read the picture books aloud with your growing readers and share the nonfiction titles with your middle grade readers.

Children will learn about maps, travel, and more with these books and atlases. The Geography Standards from the Common Core are so important to know for a citizen and growing child.

Common Core 6 Essential Elements of Geographic Knowledge

• The World in Spatial Terms
• Places and Regions
• Physical Systems
• Human Systems
• Environment and Society
• The Uses of Geography

Beneath these six elements there are 18 specific geographic standards that include using maps, characteristics of places, regions of the Earth, and more.

As a 5th grade teacher, I was so committed to making sure my kids knew geography that the first big test that they had to retake until 100% was the continents and oceans of the world. (To me, it was inexcusable NOT to know this by 5th grade.) We got that out of the way and build the foundation for lots of other history and geographic curriculum. Kids must know that their city, state, and country is not the only one in the world!

Geography Books for Kids

Geography books, picture books ages 4 to 8.

Walk This Underground World   by Sam Brewster Take a walk in different parts of the world, starting with a busy Canadian city and continuing to Egypt and Poland’s salt-rock mines.  With over 80 flaps, you’ll lift flaps to see what’s under the ground and read more about it.  Under the Flaming Cliffs, for example, discover the dinosaur fossils that paleontologists carefully dig out. Kids will spend hours pouring over this little book. Seemingly random, I like that the back map ties it all together by plotting each location.

Barefoot Books Amazing Places  by Miralda Colombo, Beatrice Cerocchi Discover 15 impressive places in the world. Each place gets four pages. The first two-page spread introduces the landmark. The next 2-page spread gives you facts and information about the landmark. If your kids want to learn more about the world, they’ll love this geography resource.

Tiny Travelers France Treasure Quest   by Steven Wolfe Pereira and Susie Jaramillo Welcome to France. Learn all about Paris, French food, festivals, famous places, activities, animals, and more. After you read each two-page spread’s information, search for the hidden treasures and read the “Did you know” facts. You might learn that The Louvre is home to the Mona Lisa and get to search for the Louvre Pyramids. Fun!

Tiny Travelers Haiti Treasure Quest  by Steven Wolfe Pereira and Susie Jaramillo Not meant for babies even though it’s a board book, this is a sturdy board book introduces preschool children to the country of Haiti’s culture, language, food, and more. Read about Port-au-Prince and find the Neg Mawon statue. Learn about Independence Day and Soup Jaoumou — see if you can find the soup on the page, too. Each page gives children information about Haiti and a colorful illustration they can use to find the hidden treasures.

Primary Geography Books, Ages 6 – 9

Middle Grade Geography Books for Ages 9 – 12

Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for The World’s Most Adventurous Kid  by Dylan Thuras and Rosemary Mosco, illustrated by Joy Ang Beautifully illustrated and written, this guide is filled with interesting and unique spots all over the world.  Some are things “Hidden in Plain Sight” like the Eiffel Tower Apartment in France or the Dinosaur of Ta Prohm in Cambodia or “DIY Transportation” like the Homemade Zip Lines in Columbia. Explore weird weather, sweet and salty treats, catacombs, caves, and more — this will be one book that your adventurous kids will enjoy reading cover to cover multiple times.

Africa, Amazing Africa Country by Country  by Atinuke, illustrated by Mouni Dddag Filled with colorful illustrations and interesting information, this is an essential guide to the geography, culture, and language of Africa.  Atinuke highlights the important things for each country then gives some footnotes for more context. It’s one of the geography books that belong on classroom and school library shelves; kids will pour over the pages of digestible information and appealing illustrations.

National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas Another great, eye-catching atlas from the beloved National Geographic! Each state includes a map, slogan, roadside attractions and lots of impressive attractions and facts. This could inspire your family’s next road trip and teach your kids about geography.

Manhattan: Mapping the Story of an Island by Jennifer Therme Read about  history of the island of Manhattan , starting with the Lenape people and continuing to the present day with subways and bridges and 1.6 million people. This book is packed with information about the city including the ecosystem, fires, and slavery. Gorgeous illustrations and readable informative writing, this oversized picture book will interest all readers, especially those who like American history or live in the New York area. Highly recommended.

KEEP READING:

Japan Picture Books

Children’s Historical Fiction

Read Aloud Books for Kids

Kindle for Kids

Best Geography and History YouTube Channels for Kids U.S. Geography Games and Puzzles for Kids

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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• Mass Market Paperback

The Book of Lost Tales: Part One is the first of a two-volume set that contains the early myths and legends which led to the writing of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic tale of war, The Silmarillion .

The Book of Lost Tales was the first major work of imagination by J.R.R. Tolkien, begun in 1916-17 when he was twenty-five years old and left incomplete several years later. It stands at the beginning of the entire conception of Middle-earth and Valinor, for these tales were the first form of the myths and legends that came to be called The Silmarillion . Embedded in English legend, they are set in the narrative frame of a great westward voyage over the Ocean by a mariner named Eriol (or Ælfwine) to Tol Eressea, the Lonely Isle, where elves dwelt; from him they learned their true history, the Lost Tales of Elfinesse.

In these Tales are found the earliest accounts and original ideas of Gods and Elves, Dwarves, Balrogs, and Orcs; of the Silmarils and the Two Trees of Valinor; of Nargothrond and Gondolin; of the geography and cosmology of Middle-earth.

Part One contains the tales of The Music of the Ainur, The Building of Valinor, The Chaining of Melko, The Coming of the Elves, and The Flight of the Noldoli, among others. Each tale is followed by a short essay by Christopher Tolkien, the author's son and literary executor.

The second of a two-book set that contains the early myths and legends which led to the writing of Tolkien’s epic tale of war, The Silmarillion.

The Book of Lost Tales stands at the beginning of the entire conception of Middle-earth and Valinor, for the Tales were the first form of the myths and legends that came to be called The Silmarillion .

Embedded in English legend, they are set in the narrative frame of a great westward voyage over the Ocean by a mariner named Eriol to the lonely Isle where the Elves dwelt; from them he learned their true history, the Lost Tales of Elfinesse. In the Tales are found the earliest accounts of Gods and Elves, Dwarves, Balrogs and Orcs; of the Silmarils and the Two Trees of Valinor; of the geography and cosmology of Tolkien’s invented world.

This first volume in Christopher Tolkien’s epic History of Middle-earth series is the perfect gateway for anyone wanting to tread deeper into the rich tapestry of Tolkien’s world and discover the evolution of the Middle-earth stories.

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Before The Silmarillion , The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings , the earliest myths and legends of Middle-earth and Valinor were laid down in The Book of Lost Tales , written by J.R.R. Tolkien between 1916 and 1920, and compiled by Christopher Tolkien for publication in 1983.

This second part of The Book of Lost Tales includes the tale of Beren and Lúthien, Túrin and the Dragon, and the only full narratives of the Necklace of the Dwarves and the Fall of Gondolin, itself the finest and most exciting depiction of a battle that Tolkien ever wrote. Each tale is followed by a commentary in the form of a short essay, together with texts of associated poems, and contains extensive information on names and vocabulary in the earliest Elvish languages.

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The third volume that contains the early myths and legends which led to the writing of Tolkien’s epic tale of war, The Silmarillion.

This, the third volume of The History of Middle-earth, gives us a priviledged insight into the creation of the mythology of Middle-earth, through the alliterative verse tales of two of the most crucial stories in Tolkien’s world – those of Turien and Luthien. The first of the poems is the unpublished Lay of The Children of Hurin, narrating on a grand scale the tragedy of Turin Turambar. The second is the moving Lay of Leithian, the chief source of the tale of Beren and Luthien in The Silmarillion, telling of the Quest of the Silmaril and the encounter with Morgoth in his subterranean fortress.

Accompanying the poems are commentaries on the evolution of the history of the Elder Days. Also included is the notable criticism of The Lay of The Leithian by CS Lewis, who read the poem in 1929.

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The fourth volume that contains the early myths and legends which led to the writing of Tolkien’s epic tale of war, The Silmarillion.

In this fourth volume of The History of Middle-earth, the shaping of the chronological and geographical structure of the legends of Middle-earth and Valinor is spread before us.

We are introduced to the hitherto unknown Ambarkanta or “Shape of the World”, the only account ever given of the nature of the imagined Universe, ccompanied by maps and diagrams of the world before and after the cataclyusms of The War of the Gods and the Downfall of Numenor. The first map of Beleriend is also reproduced and discussed.

In The Annals of Valinor and The Annals of Beleriend we are shown how the chronology of the First Age was moulded: and the tale is told of Aelfwine, the Englishman who voyaged into the True West and came to Tol Eressea, Lonely Isle, where he learned the ancient history of Elves and Men.

Also included are the original ‘Silmarillion’ of 1926, and the Quenta Noldorinwa of 1930 – the only version of the myths and legends of the First Age that J R R Tolkien completed to their end.

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The fifth volume of the History of Middle-earth, containing the early myths and legends which led to the writing of Tolkien’s epic tale of war, The Silmarillion.

At the end of 1937, J R R Tolkien reluctantly set aside his work on the myths and heroic legends of Valinor and Middle-earth and began The Lord of the Rings.

This fifth volume of The History of Middle-earth completes the examination of his writing up to that time. Later forms of The Annals of Valinor and The Annals of Beleriand had been composed, The Silmarillion was nearing completion in a greatly amplified form, and a new Map had been made. The legend of the Downfall of Numenor had entered the work, including those central ideas: the World Made Round and the Straight Path into the vanished West. Closely associated with this was the abandoned ‘time-travel’ story The Lost Road, linking the world of Numenor and Middle-earth with the legends of many other times and peoples.

Also included in this volume is the The Lhammas, as essay on the complex languages and dialects of Middle-earth, and an ‘etymological dictionary’ containing an extensive account of Elvish vocabularies.

• Kindle $12.89
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The first part of The History of The Lord of the Rings , The Return Of The Shadow is J.R.R. Tolkien's enthralling account of the writing of the Book of the Century which contains many additional scenes and includes the unpublished Epilogue in its entirety.

The Return of the Shadow is the story of the first part of the history of the creation of The Lord of the Rings , a fascinating study of Tolkien’s great masterpiece, from its inception to the end of the first volume, The Fellowship of the Ring .

In The Return of the Shadow (the abandoned title of the first volume of The Lord of the Rings ) we see how Bilbo’s magic ring evolved into the supremely dangerous Ruling Ring of the Dark Lord; and the precise, and astonishingly unforeseen, moment when a Black Rider first rode in to the Shire. The character of the hobbit called Trotter (afterwards Strider or Aragorn) is developed, and Frodo’s companions undergo many changes of name and personality.

The book comes complete with reproductions of the first maps and facsimile pages from the earliest manuscripts.

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The second part of The History of The Lord of the Rings, an enthralling account of the writing of the Book of the Century which contains many additional scenes and includes the unpublished Epilogue in its entirety.

The Treason of Isengard continues the account of the creation of The Lord of the Rings started in the earlier volume, The Return of the Shadow.

It traces the great expansion of the tale into new lands and peoples south and east of the Misty Mountains: the emerence of Lothlorien, of Ents, of the Riders of Rohan, and of Saruman the White in the fortress of Isengard.

In brief outlines and pencilled drafts dashed down on scraps of paper are seen the first entry of Galadriel, the earliest ideas of the history of Gondor, and the original meeting of Aragorn and Eowyn, its significance destined to be wholly transformed.

The book also contains a full account of the original map which was to be the basis of the emerging geography of Middle-earth.

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• Mass Market Paperback $249.52 Used

The third part of The History of The Lord of the Rings, an enthralling account of the writing of the Book of the Century which contains many additional scenes and includes the unpublished Epilogue in its entirety.

The War of the Ring takes up the story of The Lord of the Rings with the Battle of Helm’s Deep and the drowning of Isengard by the Ents, continues with the journey of Frodo, Sam and Gollum to the Pass of Cirith Ungol, describes the war in Gondor, and ends with the parley between Gandalf and the ambassador of the Dark Lord before the Black Gate of Mordor.

The book is illustrated with plans and drawings of the changing conceptions of Orthanc, Dunharrow, Minas Tirith and the tunnels of Shelob’s Lair.

• Kindle $12.53
• Hardcover $152.00
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The final part of The History of The Lord of the Rings, an enthralling account of the writing of the Book of the Century which contains many additional scenes and includes the unpublished Epilogue in its entirety.

In the first section of Sauron Defeated Christopher Tolkien completes his fascinating study of The Lord of the Rings . Beginning with Sam’s rescue of Frodo from the Tower of Cirith Ungol, and giving a very different account of the Scouring of the Shire, this section ends with versions of the hitherto unpublished Epilogue, in which, years after the departure of Bilbo and Frodo from the Grey Havens, Sam attempts to answer his children’s questions.

The second section is an edition of The Notion Club Papers. These mysterious papers, discovered in the early years of the twenty-first century, report the discussions of an Oxford club in the years 1986-7, in which after a number of topics, the centre of interest turns to the legend of Atlantis, the strange communications received by other members of the club from the past, and the violent irruption of the legend into the North-west of Europe.

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The first of two companion volumes which documents the later writing of The Silmarillion , Tolkien’s epic tale of war.

After The Lord of the Rings was at last achieved, J R R Tolkien turned his attention once again to ‘the Matter of the Elder Days’. The text of the Annals of Aman, the ‘Blessed Land’ in the far West, is given in full; while in writings hitherto unknown is seen the nature of the problems that Tolkien explored in his later years, as new and radical ideas, portending upheaval in the old narratives, emerged at the heart of the mythology, and as the destinies of Men and Elves, mortals and immortals became of central significance, together with a vastly enlarged perception of the evil of Melkor, the Shadow upon Arda.

The second part of this history of the later The Silmarillion is concerned with developments in the legends of Beleriand after the completion of The Lord of the Rings .

The second of two companion volumes which documents the later writing of The Silmarillion , Tolkien’s epic tale of war.

In The War of the Jewels Christopher Tolkien takes up his account of the later history of The Silmarillion from the point where it was left in Morgoth’s Ring . The story now returns to Middle-earth, and the ruinous conflict of the High Elves and the Men who were their allies with the power of the Dark Lord. With the publication in this book all of J.R.R. Tolkien’s later narrative writing concerned with the last centuries of the First Age, the long history of The Silmarillion , from its beginning in The Book of Lost Tales , is completed; and the enigmatic state of the work at his death can be understood.

This book contains the full text of the Grey Annals, the primary record of The War of the Jewels , and a major story of Middle-earth now published for the first time: the tale of the disaster that overtook the forest people of Brethil when Hurin the Steadfast came among them after his release from long years of captivity in Angband, the fortress of Morgoth.

• Hardcover $42.12 Used
• Paperback $21.44

The concluding volume of The History of Middle-earth series, which examines the Appendices to The Lord of the Rings .

The Peoples of Middle-earth traces the evolution of the Appendices to The Lord of The Rings , which provide a comprehensive historical structure of the Second and Third Ages, including Calendars, Hobbit genealogies and the Westron language. The book concludes with two unique abandoned stories: The New Shadow, set in Gondor during the Fourth Age, and the tale of Tal-elmar, in which the coming of the dreaded Numenorean ships is seen through the eyes of men of Middle-earth in the Dark Years.

With the publication of this book, the long history of J.R.R. Tolkien’s creation is completed and the enigmatic state of his work can be understood.

• Paperback $14.01

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J.R.R. Tolkien was born on 3rd January 1892. After serving in the First World War, he became best known for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, selling 150 million copies in more than 40 languages worldwide. Awarded the CBE and an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Oxford University, he died in 1973 at the age of 81.

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Money blog: This savings account could bag you a free £8,500 in five years

Savings Champion founder Anna Bowes is back with tips on the savings market and how to make the most of your money. Read this and the rest of today's consumer and personal finance news in the Money blog below, and leave your thoughts in the comments box.

Thursday 30 May 2024 14:44, UK

• Sellers warned 'be realistic' as most homes on market in eight years
• Think twice before buying clothes from Zara before your holiday
• Prospective parents putting off having children by cost of living crisis
• Manchester United staff 'given week to resign' in Sir Jim Ratcliffe's WFH crackdown

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• The savings account that could bag you a free £8,500 in five years  
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• Women in Business : 'A truck unloaded a £600 car that her son bought on eBay thinking it was a toy' - the schoolgate stories that led to GoHenry
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Ask a question or make a comment

Workers posing as Disney favourites such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Snow White in California have formed a union - Magic United.

There are roughly 1,700 performers and assistants who help to bring popular characters to life at Disneyland near Los Angeles.

Disney has faced allegations of not paying them a living wage, despite many facing exorbitant housing costs and commuting long distances.

Parade performers and character actors earn a base pay of $24.15 (£19) an hour, up from $20 (£15.75) before January.

Read on here... 

Nike is celebrating a partial victory over rival brand Adidas in court, as it has been permitted to put three stripes on some of its clothing designs in Germany.

The decision came during a second appeal hearing between the two sportswear brands at a regional court in Dusseldorf.

The court previously barred Nike from using two or three stripes on five trouser designs due to a lawsuit filed by Adidas in 2022, which is on a mission to protect its trademark three-stripe design.

Following the appeal, Nike can now use the stripes on four disputed trouser designs, while a ban for one is still in place.

Adidas has filed dozens of lawsuits and signed hundreds of settlement agreements related to its three-tripe design since 2008.

The Conservatives and Labour have ruled out VAT hikes if either party wins the election.

Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, said tax rises on products and services would "hammer families' finances", while shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said Labour did not plan to raise tax, national insurance or VAT.

The pledges come after the Institute for Fiscal Studies said the next UK government would face the toughest fiscal inheritance in 70 years.

Ms Reeves said: "I want taxes on working people to be lower, not higher."

New tax rises were restricted to those policies already announced, such as a plan to charge 20% VAT on private school fees, she said.

Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Hunt said: "We won't increase the main rate of VAT for the duration of the next Parliament."

He continued: "A VAT increase will hammer families' finances and push inflation back up."

He urged Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to make a similar commitment "on camera".

Follow all the latest election campaign news live in the Politics Hub ...

People who bank with TSB have had trouble getting into the mobile app this morning.

Many took to social media to report difficulty logging in to their accounts.

The official X account of TSB, responding to several complaints about the app being down earlier, said: "We're aware that customers are experiencing issues with our digital services. We're sorry for any inconvenience and are working hard to resolve it."

One customer reported that the app had remained down overnight:

In an updated statement, the bank said the issue has now been resolved.

"We're sorry for any inconvenience it caused," it said.

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

Shares in Auto Trader have rocketed more than 13% to a record high this morning.

It comes after the company reported a bumper set of results for the 2023/24 financial year - including a 26% rise in group operating profits.

The online car marketplace says recent demand has been strong - and it expects its performance to continue.

Dr Martens is also up on the FTSE 250 index - despite revealing it suffered an almost 43% fall in pre-tax profits during the 12 months to March (read more below...)

Its shares climbed more than 9% at one point earlier this morning, but have since eased back to almost 6%.

The British footwear brand has said it is "confident" it can revive its fortunes and says it plans to make savings of up to £25m to turn things around.

Elsewhere, the FTSE 100 is pretty flat - it opened 0.2% down but is currently up by a tiny 0.03%.

Mining firm Anglo American is among the companies hit by falls this morning.

Its shares have dropped by just over 1% after its rival BHP Group walked away from a proposed £38.5bn takeover of the company.

On the currency markets, £1 buys $1.27 US or €1.17 (or €1.1753, to be precise).

It comes after the pound reached a 19-month high against the Euro at one point yesterday - with £1 equalling €1.1784 - before later dropping back down.

The cost of a barrel of benchmark Brent crude has dipped slightly compared to yesterday. The price is $83 (£65).

If you're heading to Spain this summer and might get some of your holiday clothes from Zara, you might be better off waiting until you're over there.

The Spanish company sells items much cheaper over there - whether it's women's, men's or kids' clothes.

You can search prices in English on their Spanish website to get an idea of how much you'd save. 

We found big potential savings on just about every item we looked at - and the savings are even bigger than usual, with the pound reaching a two-year high against the euro yesterday.

For example, this white mini dress with ruffled hem is €27.95 in Spain but £32.99 (or €38.74).

A black dress described as "flowing voluminous" is €29.95 over there, but £35.99 (€42.27) in the UK.

These men's "balloon fit" jeans are €35.95 in Spain, but £45.99 (€54.01) in the UK.

A double-breasted blazer suit and trousers is €129.9 in Spain, but in the UK you'd pay £158.99 (€186.72).

Finally, a ruffled gingham kids' jumpsuit is €22.95 compared with £25.99 (€30.52).

Martin Lewis first highlighted these potential savings in 2015 when he wrote: "This isn't just about Zara similar pricing structures apply for other members of the same group, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear and Uterqüe."

A Zara spokesperson told the Money blog: "Zara's fashion offer is the same in the over 200 markets where it is available: quality, well-designed products at compelling prices. 

"These prices do vary between markets due to a number of factors which include shipping costs and exchange rates."

The supply of homes for sale has reached its highest level in eight years, according to a new report on the state of the housing market.

Zoopla said a 20% annual increase in properties has boosted choice for buyers and could help to steady house price growth over the rest of the year.

This idea is supported by Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank, who said growing supply is "one reason that UK house price growth this year will be limited to low single digits". 

According to Zoopla, the average estate agent office has 31 homes for sale - the highest level in eight years and up from a low of 16 in 2022.

The South West has seen "well above average" growth in the number of homes for sale, the property portal said, with a third more homes on the market across the region compared to a year ago.

The increase has likely been fuelled by planning changes in relation to holiday lets and the prospect of double council tax for second homes, Zoopla said.

According to Zoopla, a 13% increase in sales agreed has failed to keep pace with growth in the number of properties on the market.

Growth supply across the UK has been driven by a "rebound" in the number of three and four+ bed homes for sales as mover confidence improves, it said.

On property prices, Zoopla said there are still geographical divides with southern regions seeing "modest" falls, while the strongest price growth is seen in Belfast (3.6%), Burnley (2.5%) and Bolton (2.4%).

This compares to the biggest falls in Ipswich (-3%), Hasting (-2.7%) and Norwich (-2.4%).

The north-south divide is "primarily driven by affordability pressures in the face of higher mortgage rates", according to Zoopla - and it is expected to persist throughout 2024.

Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla said growth in the supply of homes for sale is "evidence of renewed confidence amongst homeowners".

Homeowners who are "serious about moving in 2024" should price their homes "realistically" to achieve a sale, he added.

Mr Bill said the "main obstacle" faced by buyers is "stubborn" inflation, which is keeping mortgage rates high.

"Asking prices therefore need to reflect the fact that buyers have more choice and tighter budgets," he said.

More than a fifth of would-be parents have made changes to their plans to start a family or have put it off altogether due to the cost of living, a new poll suggests.

Inflation has pushed expenses for the average family with young children up by more than £1,000 a month, research by mutual Royal London has found.

And despite inflation falling to its lowest level in nearly three years in April, the annual rate of price rises still stands at 2.3%, meaning life is still more expensive than it used to be.

Its survey of more than 4,000 adults reveals that 22% of people aged 18 to 34 have made alterations to their family planning due to the cost of living crisis.

Some 8% of people in this age bracket said they have delayed having children due to a lack of funds.

Nearly a fifth (18%) of surveyed adults who are parents said rising costs mean they have been left with no money for unexpected bills or emergencies.

Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London, said it's clear that people are now "making changes to their longer-term life plans".

"When prices for food and energy were increasing, we saw people cut back and make changes to their spending and shopping habits, but now we're seeing that some major life decisions are being delayed as people are weighing up whether or not they can afford to act on the plans they'd made."

Lender Creditspring says having children is "fast becoming a luxury that is financially out of reach for a huge number of prospective parents". 

"Millions of younger people are in the impossible position of having to choose between children and their financial security," chief executive Neil Kadagathur said.

Every Thursday  Savings Champion founder Anna Bowes  gives us an insight into the savings market and how to make the most of your money.  This week, she's looking at Lifetime ISAs. 

With inflation falling and savings rates staying pretty stable, the majority of savings accounts are paying more than inflation. 

But if the interest is tax-free and you can benefit from a 25% government bonus on each deposit, that makes the Lifetime ISA (LISA) an even more important savings account to consider if you are eligible.

The top two accounts are not actually offered directly by banks but instead they are financial apps that use various partner banks which will vary from time to time. 

So you need to do your research to check that opening a LISA with either provider will not take you over the Financial Services Compensation (FSCS) limit, which is £85,000 per banking licence.

Introduced in April 2017, the LISA offers a much-needed boost for younger savers who are looking to save for a deposit on their first home or for retirement.

The LISA is the obvious choice for anyone aged 18-39, as you can deposit up to £4,000 a year and you'll receive a government bonus of 25% on each deposit, which you can keep as long as you use the proceeds to buy your first house - or until you are aged at least 60 as a retirement pot. 

And the proceeds are tax-free.

If you deposited a lump sum of £4,000 a year for five years, you would receive £1,000 bonus in the month after the deposit - and after five years, assuming an interest rate of 4.40%, which is the best cash LISA rate available, you would have around £28,500 - made up of:

• £20,000 personal deposit
• £5,000 government bonus
• £3,500 tax-free interest

There are plenty of rules to watch out for with a LISA too, so it's important to know the restrictions as well as the benefits before committing the money. 

For example, there is a penalty for withdrawing the cash before the age of 60 for anything other than a first home purchase and the LISA must be held for a minimum of 12 months to avoid the charge.

The penalty, if it were to apply, is 25% of the amount withdrawn.

Although this would seem to simply be a return of the government bonus, it actually works out that there is an extra penalty of roughly 6.25% that will apply. 

So, as well as losing the bonus, some of the money deposited would also be taken.

A LISA can be held in cash or in stocks & shares. 

The most appropriate choice would depend on timelines, with shorter term funds usually better kept as cash and invested stocks and shares ISAs being more suitable for long-term money (five-plus years). 

Any interest or growth would be tax-free within that Lifetime ISA wrapper.

If you've missed any of the features we've been running in Money this year, or want to check back on something you've previously seen in the blog, this archive of our most popular articles may help...

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