I noticed the same thing. We are at the end of Two towers and thanks to forcing those books onto my children (lets face it - they are quite slow and "boring" in comparison to normal children books) I have found new appreciation for stories contained in them.
But be advised that there are downsides to this - this time around I won't be able to stop myself from buying Frodos/Bilbos "Sting" when attending Fantasy Covent here in Warsaw (and its comming this weekend)
I think they are willing to put up with / indulge me reading something I enjoy to have a bit of close time together. The like the challenge of it being a massive book, but I remember finding the two towers pretty boring as a kid myself. I may stop for a bit after fellowship as I always thought that was the most readable of the books myself. I suppose that makes me not a true fan. I found the Silmarillion completely unreadable, but I do like middle earth.
But be advised that there are downsides to this - this time around I won't be able to stop myself from buying Frodos/Bilbos "Sting" when attending Fantasy Covent here in Warsaw (and its comming this weekend)