Help an English lit noob out - need some good fiction

[Dale Dough]

I've been having some boredom/motivation related issues lately (ok the whole year) and Krantz' post inspired me to start taking short trips to chill, take in some nature, and read. Lately I've spent way too much time on 2+2 and Wikipedia vs. books.

Problem is, I'm not really familiar with English literature. I've read mostly Dutch stuff, and I feel like broadening my horizons a bit. So, I'm hoping you guys in your infinite wisdom can give me some recommendations.

- No LOTR/Harry Potter or anything like that. I'm just not into that [censored].
- I like science fiction, but not just for its own sake. I read some Heinlein, planning to get more. What are similar authors?
- While I'm not against heavy literature, the type of English can't be absurdly difficult. Finnegan's Wake is definitely out. I did read some Shakespeare, but I feel that I would miss too much of between the lines stuff if it wasn't explained to me.
- Appeal to a young man. Last year I read Pride and Prejudice in the metro, and while I enjoyed it in a good literature kind of way, I'd prefer something that's easier to identify with.