Jane Austen/Other Book Recommendations?

Um, I’m wanting something to read, and the libraries are being very slow about fulfilling my hold requests, so I’m looking for old stuff that’s good and probably on the library shelf just waiting to be loved. I think I might try reading some Jane Austen, as I recently realized that I never have, and the excerpts I’ve seen are wittier than I expected. I’m not fond of romances or “chick lit” or such things, which is where I’ve placed her books.¹I think to some extent I got her all mixed up with the Brontés when I was a teen, and I’d be damned if I wanted more of that nonsense.

If I’m going to try them, where should I start? Any other authors/books you think I should try?

I don’t care to read doom-filled, depressing stories. There’s enough of that in the real world, and I can always go look at the news. I want to read about smart, likable people doing interesting things while bantering wittily. Humor is important, but goofy slapstick nonsense loses me. I HATE HATE HATE “do something obviously stupid, try to get out of the resulting mess” plots.

I’ve read Lois McMaster Bujold, thanks 🙂 Well, all the Vorkosigan universe stuff, anyway. Her fantasy books have never interested me, for some odd reason.

Thank you 🙂