I felt the same about Tolkien for a long time. I’m giving them all a try on audiobook. I find it’s more enjoyable - I don’t notice the lengthy descriptions as much, the conversations between characters is more nuanced and I can do it all while walking or cleaning the house so I’m not just sitting thru the longer parts. The hobbit was perfect, halfway thru two towers now and it’s getting longer but still way better listening than attempting to read.

I would agree with your statement - I don’t engage well with fiction characters I don’t enjoy but really enjoy autobiographies for their perspective. I am in a kick of listening to them when they are read by the author (assuming the author is an engaging narrator). There have been a few moments where the author/narrator’s inflection/tone have added to my understanding of their intention for the passage - times when a smugness shows thru or a hint of a laugh is in the narration that I wouldn’t have necessarily read into the passage if reading. I just finished and can recommend Born a Crime by Trevor Noah and Will by Will Smith if you are looking for suggestions - both particularly good audiobooks. Each has a lot to discuss in its own way - Trevor Noah’s was an eye opener into Apartheid in South Africa and Will was complicated - I went back and forth trying to decide if he was likable or not and ultimately decided he’s just human and appreciated his honesty and introspection. Both great tho.