You seem to carry some rather potent vitriol for books that are traditionally quite highly regarded. I'm not especially interested in dissuading you from your opinions, but your particular word choice has been interesting.
Rather than discussing your enmity, what would your personal recommendation be to someone asking you about books with artistic and literary merit?
edit: the more I post in this thread, the more sesquipedalian I seem to become. I need to make a less formal post before I start wanting to smack myself... <.<;;