Just like many philosophers look to Socrates for inspiration, fantasy writers look to Tolkien.
No great series starts without a progenitor, and Lord of the Rings is that starting point for many fantasy authors. Published in July of 1954, the Lord of the Rings began an era of new fantasy writing that has inspired writers for decades.
I've met several writers in my time that make the mistake of not wanting to "read in their genre". This is a baffling concept that must be purged. You absolutely must read in your genre in order to understand what makes it your genre, and what elements have popularized it. Without understanding what you're reading, how will you understand what you're writing?
With wonderful scenery, a lovable cast, and a turmoil that touches the human heart as it does the wider world of Middle Earth, there is no great fantasy story to this day that does not take elements from Tolkien's great work. Elves, dwarves, magic, powerful artifacts, sinister villains, and uncertain developments for the main heroes, made this tale a cornerstone for the fantasy genre. It became an essential and timeless work with every facet brimming with potential for new and old writers alike to absorb for themselves.
You may have reservations for a novel that is written in an older style, and that is true - LotR will test your reading comprehension. But it is absolutely worth engaging the prose, regardless of the difficulty, to take in all that is good about these books.
To this day, readers and writers alike still study Tolkien's works for the deeper meaning behind the words, and the actions, to find the true message. Once you've finished reading the main trilogy, or if you have already, consider visiting Hello Future Me's video on the philosophy behind the ending (one of my favorites) for an all-around brilliant analysis.
You can visit his video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ftxu6P_HOQ
So get cozy with some coffee or hot chocolate, and enter a brilliant world of magic, and heroes.
