i read straight through the first time, but skipped some "boring" (were they really
) parts. but i started my first annualy reading last year. i thought that i'd better do this, cuz i found myself reading random parts, usually just my favorite (pelennor fields, bridge of kazad-dum, last debate, scouring of the shire, to name a few) over and over. i was getting stuck in a rut, so i read straight through (i think this was actually the first time i had sat down and forced myself to read
everything stragiht through). interestingly enough, im finding it kind of hard to start it up again this year. maybe ill make it my bi-annual reading...