I read hp before LOTR. (Notice the capitalizations...) I like hp still, but after LOTR... well, after reading that book that is your absolute favorite, the one that changes your life, nothing else can compare. LOTR and hp both deal with good and evil, but LOTR, to me, deals with it in a much more complex way. hp is a book directed at children (but children are not its only audience) and therefore has more frivolous, fanciful, magical parts. LOTR does not have many if any 'childish' scenes. The Hobbit, on the other hand, is directed at children too. The goal of the Hobbit is much lighter than LOTR, and seems to me more magical. (Think of Bert (that was his name, right?) the giant compared to the giants in LOTR) LOTR is much deeper and complex and deals with issues in layers, while hp's morals are laid out and more obvious. I will buy the next 2 hp books, but nothing will ever (EVER) top LOTR. But that's just me...
