Yes I've found that too, and I regret I did not read more literature when I was younger. I'm objectively highly educated (phd in electrical engineering) but at some point realized I was pretty hollow outside of some narrow specialization - like Sherlock Holmes who doesnt know the moon goes around the earth because it doesnt relate to solving crimes.

To some extent I was not mature enough in high school to take literature seriously, but even now 20+ years later, I'm pretty sure I would reject it just as forcefully if it was presented as it was in school, with all the life sucked out.