The first Tolkien-related book I ever read was "A Tolkien Bestiary" by David Day. It was in my dad's book collection and I was about 6-7 years old. I was instantly hooked on the old maps, drawings and lore of Arda. From there I read The Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings, and most of the Silmarillion (still haven't sat down and read all of that one, ha).I've read each book many times since then.
Favorite Tolkien character:
Boromir. He's such a well-developed character with an interesting arc. He succumbs to the evil of the ring but manages to redeem himself before the end.