Getting through the Silmarillion

[Lairënuriel]

This is hilarious - thanks for the link!

[Andúnië]

Or you could just read this version:
http://www.lotrspoofs.net/silin1000words.html
I just discovered this site yesterday.  It gave me a good laugh.
 

Haha, spectacular. That's pretty much amazing.

[Arwen005]

Or you could just read this version:
http://www.lotrspoofs.net/silin1000words.html
I just discovered this site yesterday.  It gave me a good laugh.
 

read it....i was laughing the whole time.....thanks for that...

[Orome]

Yeah.....I know this is a late reply, but for newer folks looking for ideas, here goes...

I agree with Beren that the easiest way is to have Foster's "Guide to Middle Earth" handy.  Plus, I suggest trying to read a single chapter entirely before pausing, and take your time doing so.  Using any available maps for reference and association with place names is very helpful.

I think that reading The Hobbit and the entire trilogy of LOTR before tackling The Silmarillion helps to make sense of it all, too.

I do not think that taking on the entire "History of Middle Earth" is a good idea until you have been able to digest the material in the other 5 works first.  There is just simply so much in there from rough drafts and discontinued manuscripts that it can be very confusing.