Modern Books

I don't know how to word this, so I'll try my best:

I enjoy reading (32F). I used to read a lot when I was a kid, then got out of the habit as I got into high school and college – between having to read for assignments, being busy, and the rise of endless app internet scrolling, I couldn't get into it anymore.

I got a Kindle a few years ago and used it quite a bit, but grew out of the habit.

Recently I've deleted my social media apps because I'm in school again and need to study without distractions. Obviously I'm not studying 24/7 outside of work and school, so I've picked my kindle back up again and I'm trying to find books that I actually enjoy. I've read several popular books and every time I end slightly disappointed. Modern books give me the same feeling scrolling on TikTok does – high dopamine, little reward. Yes, I feel accomplished for reading a book, but that's about it.

(Freida McFadden, etc)

These books are very much "Give the reader what they want, and give it to them fast." I appreciate the entertainment and accomplishment, but I want more substance. However, I also don't want to get bored and give up (I know this also takes some retraining my brain on my part).

Does anyone have any recs of genres, authors, titles to look into? I will say, sci-fi/fantasy are not in my wheelhouse (I even tried to go light and read A Discovery of Witches – got 93% through and stopped because I was so over it), and I have no desire to read the Sarah Maas series. I know likes and dislikes change from person to person.

Anyways, thanks for reading, and I appreciate anyone taking the time to recommend or respond!