[CSteefel]

I read it for the first time when I was 13 (1965), mostly in the basement of my grandmother's house in a marathon session lasting 2-3 days. Blew me away immediately, especially the first part in which the Hobbits flee the Shire and make it to Rivendell, the Council of Elrond, and then again in their trip through Moria. I also loved the part in Mordor, especially for some reason the bleak stretch where Sam and Frodo move up along the Morgai, and then in the final surge to Mount Doom.

I have read it 11 or 12 times since and I am still finding new things to appreciate. Now I really pay attention to Tolkien's description of nature and the general physical setting--the man was really masterful at conveying the texture of a landscape with great economy. Check out, for example, his description of the party's approach from the north to Weathertop...