I've read The Hobbit 2-1/2 times. Half because I didn't finish it on my first attempt. I've read LOTR about 30+ times altogether - once a year for quite a while - virtually all of the hair on my body is now grey. I was persuaded to read LOTR the first time during as a HS sophomore - by a friend - when I commented that I'd never read it because The Hobbit sucked - talked down to you. The friend said the first chapter or two of LOTR was a little like that but quickly got better and better. "Just stick with it until you get to weather top about 1/2 way through the first book."

I don't know if you would like LOTR or not. But I think my friend gave pretty good advice.

If you do read and like LOTR, I'd also offer the advice to read "The Tale of Years" appendix in the last book when you've finished.