The Hobbit was required reading in high school. I couldn’t get past the first chapter. It bored me to tears. I saw about 25 minutes of the first movie... bored me to tears.
I have no desire for science fiction... but Dune was grabbed me and held me there. Go figure.
Don’t wish to sound snobbish, but LOR is fantasy. Ever read Foundation Trilogy?
I was required to read it in 5th Grade. I was bored to tears until 3/4 of the way through. Then it clicked, and I was hooked.
The following year, I read the trilogy. I have now read it more than two dozen times. It is my all-time favorite book.
It is not for everyone, of course, but many give up on it before finishing enough of it to know for certain either way.
The Lord of the Rings is WAY better than The Hobbit.
I’ve read LOTR dozens of times at least but can barely get through the Hobbit.