Chaucer vs. Contemporary Novels

After numerous pages and God only knows how many hours spent on discussing English lit,  I've come to the realization that I am not a fan of Chaucer. In all do respect to the man his work is border line aggrevating. How can Canterbury Tales first eighteen lines be considered the greatest lines in English lit?????? The man is simply describing the concept of spring. Yes my friends, birds chirpping and grass growing. As an English major, I have come to the realization that contemporary novels are more up my alley. Modernism and the concept of a "new age" has always been a strong suit of mine. I will leave you with this my fellow book buffs, read and read alot, for Jeporady is only one call away!!!!!