Help understanding/getting into Bruckner

I’ve really, really tried, but I’ve had a hard time jiving with Bruckner. It’s not length or epicness or “stürm und drang” that’s an issue for me - I love Mahler, Wagner, Shostakovich, et. al. It’s just Bruckner. How do you recommend I approach him? I unfortunately always find myself getting bored, or finding that his works would be much better shortened, or finding him way too committed to form.

Anything that would help? I will say I do at least like his 8th.