[Mithalwen]

For me I bought the first 4 volumes as they emerged in paperback and struggled and then I did a lt degree at a time when Tolkienism as a love that dared not speak its name save perhaps in linguistics. I have read, the history of LOTR volumes through and also a lot of the peoples of MEand Morgoth's ring. But yes I otherwise treat them as reference more than a pleasure read .. unlike UT which is possibly my favourite single volume, though of course it is rather dependent on the ealrlier published works