Which books do I question? "BELOVED" ( it was terrible! ) and "ON THE ROAD" ; but many others, too, because they aren't the best representation of the authors' work. "THE GREAT GATSBY" and 'SOME CALL IT SLEEP" are stinkeroonies; much over praised. The list looks like an affirmative action course, combined with one made by literary snobs, who know the titles, but haven't really read the books.
Have you ever read "GOODBY COLUMBUS" ? If so, remember the girl at the pool, who carries around "WAR AND PEACE", all summer, but never reads it? LOL
I'm not fond of Beloved. As for TGG, I don't know how you can dislike something so lyrical. People are intimdated by 'War and Peace' because of the length and the hard to pronounced names. Once they actually start reading it, it flows quite smoothly.