D&D reading list

D&D Recommended Reading


D&D Recommended Reading

Looking for D&D recommended reading? You have all the sourcebooks you need to play, but are you looking for inspirational reading to inform your campaigns and game worlds?

Fortunately, the creators of D&D have provided lists of recommended books to inspire players and dungeon masters. These books give us a window into the creation of D&D as well as help us prepare for our games.

Recommended D&D Reading Lists

I’ve gathered the lists of recommended reading from several different D&D Dungeon Master’s Guides and Player’s Handbooks. Then I separated them by their original titles.

  • Appendix N has become a famous resource for people wanting to explore the original inspirations of Dungeons & Dragons.
  • Appendix E expanded upon Appendix N by including more recent science fiction and fantasy novels and book series.
  • Appendix D was included in the Fifth Edition Dungeon Master’s Guide to help DMs understand history, culture, and storytelling.

Just remember these books are not recommended not by me or other players of D&D, but by the creators and the writers. Reading them will help you see what was being imagined when the game was created and written.

Also, I’ve provided links so you can learn more about the older authors in Appendix N. Plus I’ve added links so you can buy or research certain books that interest you.

Appendix N from the AD&D Dungeon Masters Guide (1979)

Appendix E from the D&D 5E Player’s Handbook (2014)

Appendix D from the D&D 5E Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

History and Myth

Writing Advice

Role-Playing Game Design

The Art of GMing

Games and Sourcebooks

History of Gaming

Recommended Reading for Dungeons & Dragons

Was that a big enough list of books for you? You could probably get through it pretty quickly, right?

Just kidding. I’m sure it will take a while, but some incredible literary works have inspired D&D. If we are looking to improve our playing and our gamemastering then this D&D recommended reading list is the place to start.

If you want to go deeper, need more context, or get an overview of some of the books, here are a few more resources.

Let the Adventures Begin…

If you want to play or learn more about Dungeons & Dragons, here are some additional resources. Plus I write resource books for D&D.

  • D&D SRD – A collection of different role-playing game SRDs. D&D is the first one listed. The D&D SDR contains the basic rules of the game.
  • D&D Character Sheet – My collection of D&D character sheets.
  • D&D Player’s Handbook – What you need to create a character and learn the game.
  • D&D Dungeon Master’s Guide – What you need to learn how to be the dungeon master as well as random tables and magic items.
  • D&D Monster Manual – All the creatures the heroes must face during the adventures.

If you tackle even a few of the books on this D&D recommended reading list, you will take your first steps into a larger world.

Happy reading and enjoy the imaginary realms that have launched the countless adventures of millions of which I am one.