Tony Blair's favourite book also. Not that that is much of a recommendation. I read LOTR when I was 16. It's so heavy on plot and the topography is so detailed that although I enjoyed it, when I finished, I wasn't terribly clear on some of the facts. As I finished, I remember putting the book...
Animal farm. A wonderful insight into human nature and incidentally inspired by time Orwell spent in Eastbourne whilst staying at Chalk Farm.
Another memorable read was Lord of the flies.