LotR: Not as good as the movies

I don't know about anyone else, but I found JRR Tolkien's book really dull and reading it was a real chore.  Big props to Peter Jackson for turning it into a highly watchable trilogy.

These books are rather old, remember.  At one point in time people read poetry for fun.  The people complaining about the books are probably just very poor readers who can't read efficiently or for enjoyment like so many could in the old days.  In today's society having more of these isn't surprising.  Personally I find Tolkien's material light and easy compared to some of the long winded French stuff I've had to read that was still considered wildly popular.

Btw, was anyone else really disappointed with the Balrog fight in the movies?  Basically the thing sat there and got wacked.  Real exciting.  If they couldn't animate it well I would have rathered a guy in a suit...