It isn’t possible to overstate the impact this story has had on all kinds of media (books, films, video games, music etc) since it was first published in 1955. The world Tolkien writes about feels alive and full of history (in part because he spent years creating a complete overarching mythos and history of this world and the people in it (of which the Lord of the Rings is but a small part).
Classics, every Fantasy reader should read in their lifetime.
But what about non fantasy readers?
At least check out The Hobbit.
It’s a dense book and there are large portions of it which aren’t particularly exciting or easy to read. It won’t appeal to everyone but it’s worth a try at least.