Alison
I always found the Sam and Frodo bits dreary as well. The first time I read the book, I wasn't really following the map, so I didn't realise where Minas Morgul was, and I certainly didn't follow all the wandering off in the wrong direction that goes on once they're past Cirith Ungol and into Mordor. On subsequent rereadings I sometimes used to skip most of Frodo and Sam's journey before meeting Faramir, and after leaving Cirith Ungol until they reach the mountain.

I've always suspected that the only reason for all that faffing about up to Udun and back is just to give F&S something to do while the captains of the West are marching to the Morannon, so that the climax of the quest comes just as they are about to lose the battle. They'd look a bit silly if F&S had just marched straight across Mordor in about 4 days and dropped the Ring in while the army was poncing about, blowing trumpets in Ithilien, wouldn't they?