Can't pick just one quote from what you've said - I agree with all of it. I have made an exception from my *modern writers suck" theory for Christopher Brookmyre (who is deadpan, dry FUNNY in addition to writing mysteries I never manage to figure out on my own) and Douglas Coupland, although Coupland has fallen off his game somewhat with his last few novels.

I will also read anything Max Brooks writes, simply on the basis of having loved The Zombie Survivial Guide and World War Z.

Aside from that, I'm perfectly happy just to re-read my Stephen King and other horror novels and anthologies along with my Tolkien.