to kill a mocking bird

I don't see it. I really don't. I want to, but I can't. I understand that To Kill A Mocking Bird is a classic piece of literature, but isn't there something else we can read? I like the symbols and motifs, the depth of the characters, the themes and the morals.  I really do.  But, when I put the book down, I always find myself thinking that I would like to read something more modern and not quite so depressing. Harry Potter gave us good and evil, the struggle for morality and really interesting characters in a modern/ancient world, but I don't think those books will ever be assigned.  I really love Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy for its mind bending theories of life, but I can see how this is not considered a great book.  I heard that The Fountainhead is an epically great book, old but poignant.  Unfortunately, I never seem to have time for it.  Maybe I just found my reason.  Old good books are forced upon us in school because if not, we will never be exposed to great literature, even if we think, at times, it is a bit old and tired.