Standard assigned readings may not interest you precisely because they're assigned. You're telling me you've never read a novel on your own? Not Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, nothing?
I have never read a novel. I was curious whether I could finish one, so I tried to read the first Harry Potter book. I did not continue after the fifth chapter since it felt like work.
Wow. This is like someone telling me "I've never used the internet.". You're cutting yourself off from a huge supply of information.
What changed my perception of fiction books was the passion of a friend of my mom about a particular book, and the fact that the book was around during some particularly boring summer vacations.
I imagine such a collusion of events in nowadays fast paced world is more difficult. I do understand where you are coming from, though.
I'm curious, though: do you watch TV for fun, i.e. not to learn something but just to enjoy the story?
You like non-non-fiction movies? Take a director of a movie you like and go read a story that they used for a movie you haven't seen.