Mate I have read and re-read those books many times , I too am trapped in the wainscotting of society - welcome to the forum, like you I took a long break and so jumped from fibre glass and cane to carbon fibre , cant believe how light the rods are these days , are you tempted to to try the pole ?
Ha ha ! Wainscotting, could that also refer to these fanatical bivvy dwellers I keep reading about?
I'm currently reading Mark Billingham, but I now have an urge to revisit Arrakis. I read anything these days.
Although my first few rods were fibre glass I did own a couple of carbons (cane was a little before my time) I don't know why but I've really never been tempted to have a go at pole fishing, that could change, early days yet. I think I'll stick with a bit of general stuff and see how things develop. It does feel like I have to learn everything over, and to be honest I didn't know much in the first place.