Would you read non-fiction? The Shackleton expedition is the classic example of this

That’s the point of the Read Harder challenge - I’ve been doing it for years and have discovered several authors I love because of it. I have also read some books I haven’t enjoyed at all

I organise by genre (and within that, all books by the same author together), but sometimes I will have a thick day and wander around vaguely trying to find things. Also, there isn’t always room for new books and then they’re in the wrong place! Go with what works for you

Humour is so subjective - if it doesn’t work for you, move on

Carol Shields. Sometimes I put the book down and stare into space thinking about how well-expressed that last paragraph was

I read it a year or two ago and absolutely agree with you. There are pages of nothing very much and then a wonderful section (his grandmother’s illness; the salon of appalling people in the house they rent for the summer; the war with planes flying overhead). I’ve heard said that reading Proust is like climbing Everest - some bits are just a slog but the view makes it worthwhile

I am so sad to hear this. Hi to all the other fans out there - she isn’t talked about as much as she should be these days

Just hopping onto this comment to agree. My daughter bought me a copy of Emma after we went to see the movie together and it had a good introduction as well. I have a matching set already but I was happy to get this one too (they are on sale in Waterstones in the UK)

I wouldn’t say evil, but not good either! I kept reading bits out to my husband and relating them to past political scandals. I’m assuming it’s required reading if you go into politics

Maybe if you re-read something you love, it might re-kindle your interest in reading again? There are some books I go back to periodically, especially when I’m feeling low

I’m old enough to be your mother and I love these books. Katniss is a brilliant heroine

I’ve been in the same book group for 18 years now (just did the maths and realised how old we all are!). We meet up at one another’s houses in turn and have snacks and wine. One person chooses the book and researches the author and does a little presentation and then we all discuss it. Afterwards, we chat - and we have one meet up a year which is just social with no books! We all have different taste and there’s never an absolute consensus (except with one or two that everyone hated). It’s interesting

If you like fantasy, Jules Verne and Arthur Conan-Doyle both wrote 19th-century fantasy that might interest you

I think it’s wrong to give the book a lower rating because you don’t like the characters. To say that you disliked the book because of the characters but that it’s well-written would be fine