[Galorme]

I think that too many people read the Silmirilion to explain the small refernces in the LoTR. If you do it for this then you will most probabily be disapointed. If you plan to enjoy the book for itself then you will have a wonderful read, but if you are on the constant look out for references to Entwives and such you will be better off not reading the book, partly because many questions wont be answered and partly because it spoils the depth of the LoTR somewhat.

I am not saying this to stop you reading the books, because it is an amazing book in all respects provided you have a good imagination. A love for the old style of writing is also good. But it will help you a lot if you read it for itself and not as a resource for LoTR.