I too am a fan of the Lord of the Rings... I started with The Hobbit, I still remember dear friends gave it to me and I still keep that book.
I also have a reproduction of the one ring, but yours is far more beautiful!
I was also a D&D enthusiast as a kid.
In addition to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I was also very touched by the book "Novecento" from which they then made the film "The legend of the pinista on the ocean".
I never got into D&D although played it a couple times with friends and didn't have a bad time doing so. I've not heard of that book you mention but will have a look for it.