Have you read White Horse? Female author and protagonist but she felt different from a lot of other female leads in a good way. Not sure how to explain it but I really liked it, might be worth a try.

I have a Folio Society copy of Pride and Prejudice that is gorgeous and definitely my nicest book. I also have a few copies of Chiltern books that are beautiful, the red and gold copy of Dracula was the first one I bought.

I’ve alway loved those Penguin covers for the Russian classics that you shared, they are on my bucket list to buy!