Sirmarilion, or Hobbit and Lord of the Rings saga - each is in other type.
Sirmarilion - mithology of Middlearth is something were dry and unpleasend to read, ( i think you should read this later - first hobbit then Sirmarilion and then Lord of the Ring - its best solution)
Hobbit is a funny story, sometimes dark but very light and everyone can read this, short and like a fairy tale 
Lord of the Rings is different, very long and sometimes maybe boring - it depend who is reading…i think this is briliant book, just briliant!Ive cried when i finished it!!REALLY 
( boys dont cry i know but i was 14 )
I remeber when i read about that Peter Jackson is working on movie - adaptation!I was very happy about that fact!Now im waiting for another, HOBBIT ..i wish i see this movie soon :)…so Peter get to WORK !!
Is not only 3 books that ive metioned before, also Hobbit and Sirmarilion are books connected with whis wonderfull world of Middlearth.
In Hobbit, main character is Bilbo Baggins of The Shire, knowed from Lord of the Rings (Tolkien writed Hobbit before Lord of the Rings). He joined to Thorin Oaken Shield and his Dwarfs for a quest to obtain great treasure - guarded by huge dragon Smoug. Book is fantastic, very different from Lotr, more light and funny!Bilbo is crazy little hobbit and he is in the top form.
Is classic fantasy book in 3 volumes:
Fellowship of The Ring
Two Towers
Return of The King
This great book ive read when i was 14 years old, my father gave me that book ( i always have this in my heart - he was golden man) and its one of things that i have after him. He tragically died year ago and this is very personal…
When I, for the first time, finished it I remeber that ive cried like little baby, all that adventure, all characters all this world was ended i almost feel that i lost someone priecious for me. I was really, really touched by that book.
Maybe you watched the movie?i remeber in 1998 that ive heard that the movie production has begun. I was excited and very happy, movie was really fantastic!Of course ive read the book first so i love book much more that this movie gold