Don't worry about the formality - that's just your style ^_^
I don't necessarily hate all of "the classics" - this thread has just happened to bring up a couple I've got axes to grind against. Specific books I'd reccomend - classic
or modern - include:
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The Invisible Man, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (and anything else by Jules Verne), The Portrait of Dorian Grey, A Conneticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, American Gods (and anything by Neil Gaiman), Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter (Witch), Lolita, Sailor Nothing, House of Leaves (be careful with that one - it doesn't even buy you a drink before it rapes your brain), The Modern Prometheus (I prefer that title, so sue me), Stargirl (and its sequel), Watchmen (see also V for Vendetta)
The list goes on and on and on.
Are you sure you didn't mean to ask me what, specifically, I'm looking for in "good" literature?