Do I need to read Amor Towles's books in order?

No. With one exception, all of Amor Towles's novels are standalones and can be read in any order. The only exception is the novella Eve in Hollywood, which should be read after Rules of Civility because it follows the same character, Evelyn Ross, after she leaves New York.

Is Eve in Hollywood included in Table for Two?

Yes. The definitive, expanded version of the novella Eve in Hollywood makes up the entire second half of the 2024 collection Table for Two. You do not need to track down the original 2013 standalone edition.

What is the Forward series and how is Amor Towles connected to it?

The Forward collection is a multi-author science fiction series curated by Blake Crouch. Amor Towles contributed a standalone near-future story called "You Have Arrived at Your Destination" as the fourth entry in the series. It does not connect to his other novels.

Where is the best place to start reading Amor Towles?

Most readers should start with A Gentleman in Moscow, which is his most famous and widely praised novel. If you prefer a jazzy, classic New York vibe, start with his debut, Rules of Civility.

Are there TV adaptations of Amor Towles's books?

Yes. A Gentleman in Moscow was adapted into a highly successful Paramount+ limited series starring Ewan McGregor as Count Alexander Rostov.

Amor Towles Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for Amor Towles

Because Amor Towles focuses primarily on standalone historical novels, you do not need to follow a strict chronological sequence to enjoy his major books. However, his works do contain subtle character overlaps and shared themes that make certain paths more rewarding. For the most satisfying experience, we recommend starting with his debut before moving on to his larger epics and short fiction.

1. The Evelyn Ross Sequence (The New York & Hollywood Connection)

While Towles’s novels are famously standalone, there is one direct character continuation that readers should not miss. Evelyn "Eve" Ross is a central character in Towles's debut novel. After the events of that story, her journey continues in a companion novella set in California. To follow her narrative, read these two works in order:

Rules of Civility (2011) – Set in 1938, this novel introduces Eve Ross as a fiery, independent young woman navigating the social strata of Manhattan alongside her friend Katey Kontent.
Eve in Hollywood (Originally 2013, expanded in 2024) – This novella picks up immediately after Eve boards a train to Chicago and instead ends up in Los Angeles, embarking on a new life among the stars. Note: While originally published as a standalone booklet in 2013, Towles expanded this novella for his 2024 collection, Table for Two. Readers should seek out the collection for the definitive, expanded version of Eve's Hollywood adventures.

2. The Standalone Historical Epics

Once you have explored 1930s Manhattan, you can dive into Towles’s two other major novels in any order. Both are standalone masterpieces that explore different eras of the 20th century:

A Gentleman in Moscow (2016) – Spanning decades from 1922 to 1954, this beloved novel follows Count Alexander Rostov, a Russian aristocrat sentenced by a Bolshevik tribunal to spend the rest of his life inside the luxurious Hotel Metropol.
The Lincoln Highway (2021) – Set over a span of just ten days in June 1954, this story follows eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson and a cast of companion characters on a fateful road trip across America.

3. The Short Fiction Collections

To round out your reading, dive into Towles's short fiction, which showcases his signature elegance in shorter formats:

Table for Two: Fictions (2024) – A collection consisting of six short stories set in New York City and the expanded novella, Eve in Hollywood, set in Los Angeles.

Publication Order of Amor Towles’s Books

If you prefer to read works in the order they were written and released to the public, here is the comprehensive publication order for Amor Towles's bibliography. This list separates his full-length novels, individual short stories, collections, and anthology contributions.

Standalone Novels

Rules of Civility (2011)
A Gentleman in Moscow (2016)
The Lincoln Highway (2021)

Short Stories and Novellas

Eve in Hollywood (2013) – Later expanded and included in Table for Two.
Great-Great-Grandpa's Hat Box (2016) – A brief, travel-oriented non-fiction essay written for Condé Nast Traveler.
A Whimsy of the World (2018) – A short story following a young American woman’s adventure through Italy.
You Have Arrived at Your Destination (2019) – A near-future speculative fiction story published as part of Amazon’s multi-author Forward collection.
The Didomenico Fragment (2021) – A short story focusing on an art appraiser and a missing Renaissance masterpiece. Originally released as an Audible Original, it is now collected in Table for Two.

Short Story Collections

Table for Two: Fictions (2024)

Chronological Order of Amor Towles's Universe

For readers who want to experience the historical settings of Towles's stories in the order they occurred in time, you can follow a historical timeline. While the stories are not narrative sequels to one another (with the exception of Eve's journey), reading them chronologically offers a fascinating tour of the 20th century:

A Gentleman in Moscow (1922–1954) – The timeline of this novel starts earliest, tracking the aftermath of the Russian Revolution and the evolution of the Soviet Union through the lens of the Metropol Hotel.
Rules of Civility (1938) – Captures the final years of the Great Depression and the jazz-fueled high society of New York just before the outbreak of World War II.
Eve in Hollywood (1938–1939) – Begins immediately after the conclusion of Rules of Civility, tracking Eve's adventures in late-1930s Los Angeles.
The Lincoln Highway (1954) – Takes place in the mid-1950s, highlighting the post-war American landscape, the dawn of the interstate highway system, and the optimism of youth.
You Have Arrived at Your Destination (Near Future) – Towles’s rare detour into science fiction, set in a futuristic world where parents can preview their future children's life paths.

Decoding the Shorter Fiction and Collections

To avoid spending extra money or hunting down out-of-print editions, it helps to understand how Towles's shorter works have been repackaged over the years.

Table for Two (2024)

This is the ultimate resource for Towles’s short fiction. If you purchase this book, you do not need to buy Eve in Hollywood or The Didomenico Fragment separately, as both are included. The book is structured into two halves: the first half features six stories set in New York City (including The Didomenico Fragment), and the second half contains the expanded novella Eve in Hollywood.

The Forward Collection

In 2019, Amazon Original Stories released the Forward collection, a six-part speculative fiction series curated by Blake Crouch. Amor Towles contributed the fourth entry, You Have Arrived at Your Destination. Because this is a multi-author anthology, you do not need to read the other five stories by authors like Andy Weir or N.K. Jemisin to understand Towles's piece. It stands entirely on its own as a quick, thought-provoking read about genetics and free will.

What to Know Before You Start

Amor Towles spent over twenty years working as an investment professional in New York City before publishing his debut novel in his late forties. This background shows in his writing: his prose is highly structured, elegant, and deeply researched.

His books are celebrated for their rich character work rather than fast-paced plot lines. When reading Towles, prepare to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere, the witty dialogue, and the small, human interactions that define his characters' lives. If you are new to his work, A Gentleman in Moscow is widely considered his masterpiece and serves as the perfect introduction to his storytelling style.