Lord of the Rings
Long before Peter Jackson won all those Oscars, this three-volume fantasy series was one of the most popular of the 20th century. A sequel to The Hobbit, the series follows Frodo (Bilbo's nephew!) and his quest to destroy an evil ring and save all of Middle-earth. Sound complicated? That's 'cause it is. But trust us, you'll get sucked right in. Names to know: Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Gollum.
