Good luck. I've taken up the same endeavor myself, and have finished the first two novels. I have to say I think GotM is very much a "mixed bag" that left me wanting, and I really only began to connect to characters and the plot in the last fourth of the book (otherwise I just felt indifferent). DG is a far more entertaining book, and Erikson shows a lot of improvement as an author, though I'm still not bedazzled by the series.

That's only my opinion, of course. I hope your experience with GotM is much better. The plot certainly begins and moves a lot faster than in other long fantasy epic. I'm sure you're well aware that many people swear by the series.

On Book 2 myself. Book one is tough until the 2nd half and you can start identifying with some of the characters.

keep going! It is usually worthwhile. I also started with Deadhouse Gates and soon realised I had to go back to Gardens of the Moon. Even then, the structure and underlying cosmology are like nothing else, and Erikson makes no effort to make his grand plan visible - just gives you lots of hints in no particular order! Some of the books are more accessible than others, but all have lots to recommend them. I sometimes think that the series as a whole is like an explosion in reverse - starting with lots of bits flying all over the place and working through ten books to get to the bang.