Galadriel, the previous thread on this question is probably buried in the depths of the forum, so a new one is fine. However, since it's not an actual book discussion, I'm moving it to the Novices and Newcomers forum. You should get lots of responses there.
While I'm at it, I'll answer your questions:
I first read LotR back in college - enough years ago that the exact time is now mythical.
My then boyfriend gave me his to read, then presented me with my own Ballantine's box of the trilogy and Hobbit. The books are still on my shelf (the boyfriend, however, disappeared out of my life long ago), though so battered that I've gotten new ones for daily use. As to my reaction - I only left the books long enough to go to classes and work, spending every available free minute in Middle-earth. I was terribly disappointed when the story ended sooner than I expected - I had counted on more, but that turned out to be the appendix. If I remember rightly, I immediately started reading again.