Oh, I can assure you that reading Finnegans Wake aloud is genuinely a lot of fun. But it takes some practice because Joyce’s neologisms will trip you up.

I made a post at /r/jamesjoyce after finishing the book, and I can agree with you that I would NOT recommend the Wake to other people. I only got through it because I’m obsessed with Joyce.

Still, I would not say it was a waste of time. Some parts of it was better than Ulysses. And now that I’m listening to the audiobook, it’s a lot of fun.

> he used the word Hogwarts. and also said " he googled" and this was way before we knew those words.

He also used “bussing”, which is a word I see young people use a lot these days. He also used “simp”. There are a lot of “unexpectedly modern” words in the book.

> Knowing that the books are cheap allows you to let your curiosity lead you.

Yes! Though I didn’t buy it second-hand, I wouldn’t have read Ulysses if it had been $18 or more. I bought the cheap Wordsworth edition for about $3, and it’s one of my favorite books now.

I was crazy about popular science books a few years ago... Now I'm more interested in history and read significantly less of science books. I don't know why.

> I don't know why UK paperbacks are so rigid

Now that I think about it, you’re absolutely right. Floppy paperbacks really do come from American publishers, like Harper Perennial and Modern Library. I hate those rigid paperbacks.

Harper Perennial Classics are my favorite. They can be laid down flat without breaking the spine.