I just saw a clip from LOTR Two Towers and I never got into LOTR and now feel like I lack some culture not having read any of it. I also haven’t watched any of the movies. I tried watching The Hobbit (first movie) but I didn’t understand any of it. Maybe it’s not for me? I like sci fi but not sure about phantasy. Can you understand each book without reading them in order? How many books are there? Is it still a trilogy?
The Hobbit is separate from the Lord of the Rings and is pitched more at children. I’d advise reading it first, because if you don’t like it you can save yourself even attempting the longer book.
The Lord of the Rings is 1 book in 3 parts but absolutely must be read in the correct sequence: the Fellowship of the Ring, the Two Towers, the Return of the King.
You don’t know if you like fantasy - do you/did you like myths and fairy tales? if you did, you may well like this kind of fantasy; if you didn’t you almost certainly won’t.
There are other kinds of fantasy of course but Tolkien is elves, dwarves and other beings, if you don’t want that, don’t read it.