Granny Smith

Oh - I forgot to say, if you want to try non-fiction that is beautifully written, thought provoking and uplifting try Annie Dillard.

I buy most of my books second hand (or even third or fourth hand for all I know!) In fact I buy almost everything second hand. I actually prefer used things. I like the feeling of continuity. I love it when books are written in (I mean a dedication on the fly leaf, or if they've been annotated for someone's schoolwork, or someone has marked a passage which has special meaning for them). I can't understand why people have this obsession with having everything new and shiny.....characterless, I'd say.

It sounds to me like you're depressed. What I would suggest is that you read poetry. Have you ever done that? Any good anthology with varied poems will do. You will find at least some of them echo your feelings, and some of them will be inspirational. Don't read books with unhappy endings! When I feel a bit dreary I like a comedy - Pratchett makes me laugh, and think at the same time. Someone recommended Jasper Fforde and I endorse that. Other than that, a book to really get lost in. You don't mention Lord of the Rings - have you read that? It will keep you going for ages!