[Child of the 7th Age]

Linaeve,

The Letters do contain some information that is not in HoMe. Just as importantly, they are much more concise and very readable.

They let us into JRRT's mind, shedding insight on a lot of the characters and scenes in the book. There were times when I was reading the Letters and my jaw would drop open as a light bulb went on in my head... so that's what Tolkien meant!

I do have all the volumes of HoMe. Some, I've read cover to cover. Others I use mainly for reference, but have promised myself that I'll eventually plough through them all.

I think it's great that you're thinking of expanding your reading! But if you get into something that seems too 'heavy', just set it aside for a month or so, stick around the books forum, and try it again later. I found it much easier to get through something like Morgoth's Ring, for example, (HoMe X) after I'd learned a lot from everyone's posts.

Good luck!