Although this book isn't exactly LOTR, Drizzt Do'Urden is probably one of the best known, and most well liked fantasy characters. RA Savlatore writes a great novel, the Icewind dale trilogy, and all of his other books draw you in, and won't let you stop turning the pages. Think of these books as the Tom Clany's of Fantasy. Not horribly complex, but real entertaining page turners.
And ofcourse
Dune to most doesn't even need to be explained. It is an amazing book, and is on the top of my list.