We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(5) Tree Line
Just like Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, The Hours spends a lot more time on its characters' thoughts and feelings than it does on their actions. The end result is that you get to follow along comfortably as characters chat, run simple errands, and ponder the meaning of life, the universe, and, well, everything. The chapters are short, the prose is clear, and nothing much actually happens, making The Hours the perfect companion for a languid bubble bath or a cozy cup of tea.