It can be difficult to get into reading JY as a Western reader as he writes in extremely poetic language. There are a lot of great articles on the difficulties of translating Chinese poetry if you're interested in the subject.

Instead -- I suggest you watch some of his live action adaptions! The Smiling, Proud Wanderer is my personal favorite JY story, and my favorite drama rendition is the 2001 one starring Li Yapeng. He is probably best known for the Condor Trilogy (The Legend of the Condor Heroes, The Return of the Condor Heroes, and The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber) and although I loved the first I was never personally that into the latter two of the series. Probably his greatest work is in my opinion Demi-gods and Semi-Devils, although that might not be a good entry point into the series. I would look at TSPW or TLCH first :)

And well, Tolkein will always hold a special place in my heart. But I do agree that he is slightly over romanticized as an author.