I underlined some of those I enjoyed reading between the ages of 8 and 14. The exceptions were Hitchers and Lord of the Rings.

What struck me was the number of books that are school and college setwork books. They are pushed into public consciousness because literature teachers seem to think that the worth of a book is what it teaches people in terms of kindness, fairness, etc.

Interestingly, I've never had to read about those things. They are innate. Of course, I have had to read about human nature. The best for that are psychology text books.

I truly diislike all literary books - that category of pretentious writing that is about 'teaching' readers about the sins of humanity.