Use mySQL or SQL server to do it. It will aford you a much better toolset and a far cleaner/more versatile Databse in the long run. You will also find a greater toolset available to get at the data once it's in the tables.
Not sure if your problem is with database 'design' or the actuall tool you are using.
But Access is good easy tool to use provided you understand the One-To-Many Relationship between eg: Authors <> Books
If you do, you can build your underlying tables in minutes with 'lookups' to the connecting tables followed by smashing out some simple data capture forms.
You can also dabble in VBA code to make your apps more powerful.