The Temple of Dagon

I'm relatively new to Lovecraft--I've read a couple of stories, but only a small amount.

I currently own a copy of B&N's H. P. Lovecraft: The Fiction. I was wondering if I should read that first, or if I would be better off checking out the Penguin editions with annotations by S. T. Joshi. My library also has the three Arkham books.

I would highly recommend the annotated editions. They are a great help in understanding the kind of setting Lovecraft was trying to create, and they offer some interesting insight as to his influences and opinions.

i myself am enjoying a copy of the necronomicon, a very good anthology. If you can find some old issues of weird tales, in a yard sale or something, i would recommend them