Same goes for some of the Golden Age stuff. I'd say read it first, form a personal judgment, and move on - it's all been discussed to death at this point, no reason to pour more gasoline on that fire.

Exile is where you start getting into newer material. Roughly half of what's there is recent writing, and it most definitely shows. G and co. have come miles since even when I first started reading about ...ye gods, has it really been 10 years?

Future Imperfect is mostly good. There are some older pieces kicking around, and you'll know them when you see them, but for the most part it's all gravy.

Mini stories here on the forums, I'd save for last - it's the bleeding edge of recent material.

If you wanna try reading it all chronologically, then well... may God (or your higher power of choice) have mercy on your soul.

...Oh, and welcome to the freak show.