I haven't read TAoCP. I am reading them. I have been for years. Every time I open one up, I learn something. I am also always confused. That's what I love about the work. It reminds me that this stuff is hard - so hard that Knuth hasn't finished learning the subject even after 50 years spent writing a 12 chapter book about compilers.

What makes them great books is Knuth's ability to tackle writing at multiple levels of sophistication. As I learn more maths new portions of each section become accessible. As I learn more about data structures and algorithms a similar thing tends to happen.

I haven't been in a rush to 'finish' them. Neither has Knuth. I read them because I enjoy reading them.