Question about the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan

I am almost finished with book 1 of the Wheel of Time series (Eye of the World). My friend just gave me Winter’s Heart which I think is book 9.
Will I be lost if I go ahead and read Winter’s Heart and forego reading books 2 through 8. This is my first book series to ever read and I am not sure if it is necessary to read them in order to fully enjoy the storyline. Will I be lost?
Thanks!

You’ll do yourself no favors, that’s for sure. Read them in order, or you’ll miss out on a lot of character development and foreshadowing.