/lit/ - Literature

Honestly check the sticky and try to find a good library or used bookstore. If you aren't picky about used books you can also buy them online at Abebooks. I hardly ever buy books at amazon or chain stores anymore - I either use my uni library or abebooks. I am privileged though because my uni library is quite extensive. I wince when I remember all the money I spent on new reprint editions of common classic books when I could have just checked them out. I was always afraid they would become due before I was finished but I later learned that I could renew library books 99 times.

You might also try the Modern Library Top 100 novel list. I have hundreds of books listed that I've culled from /lit/ recommendation threads and just discussion over the years. That's where most of my backlog comes from. I also use Goodreads and sometimes blogs like "The Modern Novel" I have read books that I really enjoyed that I stumbled on randomly while searching for reviews of other books I liked.

Also check out Gene Wolfe.