Read any good books lately?

You are not mistaken about the poor caliber writing of published fiction. Probably 90% of the books I pick up I don't finish because they are so poorly written. Nowadays, publishers choose books on the how well they can sell the "story," not the quality of writing. Most readers just read for the story anyway, and with our schools not expecting as much from their students right now, we aren't learning as much as we used to. So we don't demand better writing to help keep our interest.

My taste runs in the Teen Fiction area, so I love these authors for their teen work. My way of grading good writing: if I'm reading along and don't notice too many/any mistakes (and I notice mistakes in everything), and don't get stop anywhere in confusion (no story hiccups), and the story keeps me reading, then it's an excellent writer! Barely anything keeps my interest these days. As of late:

Brandon Sanderson (Alcatraz Series, but also known in the Adult Fantasy circle)
Kelley Armstrong (The Summoner, The Awakening - ghosts and supernatural powers)
N.D. Wilson (100 Cupboards, Dandelion Fire)
Beth Fantaskey (Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side - vampires but original)

Actually, I've found that male (not female *coughMeyerscough*) mormon children's authors write very well written and original novels! (Sanderson, Wilson, etc.)

There are more way more for me, but these are off the top of my head.

Skye

Nano 06: The Clan of Havenmore Lane (win!)
Nano 07: Kissing Aliens (win!)
Nano 08: Substitute Superhero (win!)
Nano 09: Party Magic

Is this supposed to be as in novels? Or whatever that isn't a cereal box or wipe-off plastic pages?

By the way, the cereal box for Hannah Montana is so boring. I recommend you skip that one. ;)

"Bucket of criminy!"
-Tad Ghostal

I mainly read fantasy with a smattering of other kinds.
While waiting for R A Salvatore's newest book ( I play D&D so enjoyed his books) I started checking out random books. The first one I got I returned the next day as in the first chapter it had a girl getting impregnated by a demon... I then tried Angie Sage's books about Septimus Heap and really enjoyed the first couple. I also read her Araminta Spooky books to my son and he loved them. They are more for elemtary ages but highly humorous.
I also discovered Tamora Pierce and really love her books. I read like 22 of her books in less than 2 months and will finish the last few after November.

I need a new author to read now...

I haven't read any Brandon Sanderson yet, but I listen to his podcast (Writing Excuses, which is a must-listen for NaNoers.)

I've actually enjoyed most of what I've read lately. Anathem by Neal Stephenson was amazing, almost as good as Snow Crash and Cryptonomicon.

*
Fourth year writing; hoping for my third year win.
This year's novel: Herald of the Eye, modern fantasy with a sci-fi fan's twist.

What do you mean by "caliber of writing"? What do you consider good writing? I need to know this before I suggest books to read. Our tastes might be very different.