[@Derpestein] It's recommended that you have read the books, but yes the movies are fine as well. The lore is very extensive, going to paste some links here to help out.

Here is a link to a youtube video of the first Lord of the Rings book.

(The Fellowship of the Ring): [url]https://youtu.be/8A3wuC6Fy_w[/url]

I would recommend Tolkiens "The Silmarillion" which is basically an encyclopedia/bible on all things Middle Earth. It talks about the very beginning of creation to the departure of the elves from Middle Earth. The book is written very well and is extremely helpful/informative.

https://archive.org/details/J.r.r.Tolkien-TheSilmarillion - Audio Version

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B20m6O8u8aRwTkktcXdjTU1tOW8/edit - Text Version <- My perfered way of learning about the lore.