To be ‘well read’ is down to subjective parameters. Based on mine, I don’t feel like I have to read a series or author to be considered ‘well read’ but I read such series or authors to understand the ‘corner stones’ of fantasy culture specifically for my developing writing style.
For instance, after I read Dune (I know it’s Sci-Fi not Fantasy) I immediately understood why it inspired a lot of Fantasy literature. By the way, the quality of writing in Dune is 🤯🤯.