A start on Tolkien
This is obviously a very incomplete list, but one that does give a new reader a start to the academic side of Tolkien. These are all references I have and have enjoyed. A number of the references here have extensive bibliographies for further reading. For the brave, one can go on line and Google "Tolkien," "Tolkien bibliographies," etc. I'm sure one will find a few more books to read for background depth.
- Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit"
- Corey Olsen, 2012
- Tolkien & The Critics
- Neil Isaacs & Rose Zimbardo eds., 1968
- A Tolkien Compass
- Jared Lobdell, editor, 1975. [New edition now out, however is missing the article by Tolkien]
- The Complete Guide to Middle-earth
- Robert Foster, 1971/1979/2003
- The Languages of Middle-earth
- Ruth Noel, 1980 [Some criticisms of the work, but interesting. One can find all sorts of Languages sites "now."]
- The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
- J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien, & Humphrey Carpenter, 2000
- Hobbits, Elves & Wizards
- Michael Stanton, 2001. [An excellent introduction to The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings.]
- The Atlas of Middle-Earth
- Karen Wynn Fonstad, 2001
- J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century
- Tom Shippey, 2001
- The Annotated Hobbit
- Douglas A. Anderson, 2002
- The Road to Middle-earth
- Tom Shippey, 2003
- RINGERS
- An interesting film on Tolkien fandom over the years, 2005
- The Evolution of Tolkien’s Mythology
- Elizabeth A. Whittingham, 2007
- The Frodo Franchise: The Lord of the Rings and Modern Hollywood
- Kristin Thompson, 2007