[Suzerain of Sheol]

I felt that way about the Council of Elrond when I first read the book, but after reading the Silmarillion and having it as a backdrop, that's one of my favorite chapters.

The Music of the Ainur is probably the reason so many people don't read the Silmarillion. It's a very off-putting way to open the book (though it's also essential). I imagine the stories of the elves that come later would be a lot more appealing to people coming in fresh from tLotR.