I refuse to make a decision until I can bring myself to finish LotR. My friend told me everything that happened ages ago, and every time I try to pick it up now, it's like... what's the point?

That said, I respect LotR immensely for how it has revolutionized that fantasy genre. It pretty much defined the fantasy archetype (specifically it strengthened the Norse influence in modern fantasy).

Harry Potter is fun to read, and I enjoy it a whole lot, but it will never be able to define the genre as LotR has.