The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Reading Order

Here's the correct Hitchhiker's Guide reading order: every book in the right order, where to start, and answers to common questions.

Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide is the funniest science fiction ever written — the misadventures of hapless Englishman Arthur Dent across a gloriously absurd universe. Adams called it 'a trilogy in five parts.'

Our Recommendation: Publication Order Read in publication order. The five books form one continuous (if increasingly surreal) story. A sixth, written by another author after Adams's death, is optional.

The 'Trilogy in Five Parts'

  1. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyBuy NowAudible1979
  2. The Restaurant at the End of the UniverseBuy NowAudible1980
  3. Life, the Universe and EverythingBuy NowAudible1982
  4. So Long, and Thanks for All the FishBuy NowAudible1984
  5. Mostly HarmlessBuy NowAudible1992
Own the Complete Series Buying the whole series at once is usually cheaper than individual books, and box sets make a great gift. See The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy box set options on Amazon ›

The Sixth Book

And Another Thing... (2009) was written by Eoin Colfer with the blessing of Adams's estate. Fans are split on it — read it only if you want more after Mostly Harmless.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct Hitchhiker's Guide reading order?

Publication Order. Read in publication order. The five books form one continuous (if increasingly surreal) story. A sixth, written by another author after Adams's death, is optional.

Is the Hitchhiker's Guide series finished?

Yes. Douglas Adams's five books are complete. Eoin Colfer wrote an authorized sixth, And Another Thing… (2009).

How many Hitchhiker's Guide books are there?

Five by Douglas Adams, plus a sixth (And Another Thing...) written by Eoin Colfer after Adams's death. Adams jokingly called it a 'trilogy in five parts.'

Do I need to read them in order?

Yes — later books reference earlier events constantly, and the running jokes build across the series.

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