You can always read non-fiction.

I don't push anyone to read what they don't want. If novels aren't your thing, that's fine. But you don't see the irony in proclaiming that "this is a made up thing that never happened" and then saying you like movies and cartoons?

I'm with you. I'm not sure if it's the books getting worse, or if it's my taste changing. Probably the latter. But I almost never reach for a thriller anymore. They bore me, and they feel incredibly shallow.

Have you ever watched an episode of VH1's Behind the Music? It was a documentary series that was very popular in the 90s. I don't know for sure, but I would bet money that Reid was inspired by it, because this book felt like an extended episode of it. As such, I experienced quite a bit of nostalgia as I was reading this and therefore loved it. But my larger point is I don't think it was lazy writing at all. I think what she was doing was very intentional.

Rival human intellect? Yes, certainly. Rival human emotion? I doubt it. And that's the key for me. Stories, for me, are mostly about emotions.

Maybe you are reading the wrong books for you. I suggest trying different genres rather than classics. Find something that's really fun.

I'm going to be 58 in a few months. My waiting period is over. My goal over the next few years is to read all this "save for later" books.

You make it interesting point about putting a book aside, and maybe returning to it and a number of years. I think it's totally valid that sometimes you're not in the right mind space for a book. What doesn't work for you today, might work for you in 5 years.

Whenever any writer becomes as popular and as inescapable as she has, there is always lashback.

I have never read her books because she writes in a genre I don't care for, but if you go to any bookstore, she is truly everywhere. That can get rather abrasive and provoke reactions.

Most new releases I borrow from the library. Most of the books I own I buy used, and only if I am pretty sure I am going to like them.

Fantasy, literary fiction, historical fiction and memiors. I guess I am pretty straightforward.

Sorry you don't like him. I do, but he's very much a product of the 19th century and its conventions. Most of the books were serialized before they were published as full books. His audience had no TV, radio or internet to entertain themselves. His books were their entertainment. Plus language and storytelling conventions were different then than they are now.

I buy them as I read them, this way if I decide to stop, I'm not stuck with the rest of the books I'll never read

I thought the book was very enjoyable. I honestly don't care about the controversy

I believe it was because Borders was late to adopt an online sales presence. Plus they over expanded and did so too rapidly.

Totally depends on the book and how you use the information. Don't expect any book to be a cure-all. But such books can give you useful information you can put into practice, but the work will still be yours to do.

When I was in middle school in the late 70s, this book was all the rage, but for some reason I never read it. Then, 2 years ago, I listened to the audiobook from my library, and I was pleasantly surprised at how engaging and complex this book is. And it stands up quite well considering it is 50+ years old.

I hope I do too

If Colleen Hoover gets people to read, then I salute that. In my experience, people's taste evolves as they age.

Besides, not everyone reads for enrichment. Many people read simply for entertainment.

My main goal is to read down the books I already own. There are over 200 physical books in my house, and at least another 100 on Kindle I need to get to.

My goal is always a number of books. I have been pretty consistent with 80 the past few years. I hit 86 this year without pushing myself, so that will be the goal again next year.

Some notable books I intend to tackle this year:

Anna Karenina

As I Lay Dying

The Underground Railroad

The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

Stoner

Olive Kitteridge

In the Dream House

Tomorrow and Tomorow and Tomorrow (on hold at the library right now)

They are. But I didn't make this comment to get praise. I wanted to validate the OPs idea that change of life can change reading preferences.

I look at my bookshelves. I look at my unread books on my Kindle. And I have a hold list if recent releases at my library. I don't do anything more sophisticated than that.

Everyone's journey is different. I'm in my 50s and I find I read almost exclusively fiction at this point. Aside from the occasional memoir, I read almost no nonfiction. 20 years ago I read over half nonfiction.

I meant it's obvious to me. Not in general.

Congrats yourself!

Since I have been sober (10 years now), my taste has obviously shifted. I tend to prefer books with a lighter and more hopeful outlook. That doesn't mean I avoid complex or difficult stories, but I definitely shun nihilistic ones.