Looking for some ideas for next reads...

Sounds weird, but I'm not really into fantasy as such - at least not 'mainstream' fantasy? I find much of it a bit childish and one-dimensional. However I do love LOTR and have read it four or five times - more rereads than any other book I've read. This will also sound weird, but one of the reasons I think I like it is for it's *historical* context! The idea of how life might have been in a distant past - obviously minus the magic, dragons, talking trees etc!

I've tried some Ken Follett historical novels which haven't worked for me at all. I do like some Shakespeare but can't really read it - too difficult for me - prefer theatre/filmed versions. I did read The Dark is Rising (which may have been a recommend from this forum) which I enjoyed even though it is a kids book really.

Any ideas for books/authors/genres I might look into?

God knows we all need a bit of escapism at the moment!