I adore the books. Especially the appendices.

I loved the movies but there were just some really really stupid things that were included (nuclear Galadriel, wtf? Weaksauce Frodo, wtf?). Yeah, I have some serious gripes with the movie, not only as a fan of the books but as a fan of cinema in general (you do NOT need such loooong sequences of orcs being born! Tighter editing please!). Still, I'm a rabid fan of the films, flaws and all.

I can see why people would have a hard time getting into the books, but seriously, the books are so gosh darn poetic. I think it's rare and wonderful to find such stirring and beautiful narrative.