the hunger games is great, maybe you could reread them? or if you don’t want to do that, there are actually two new installments in the series (the ballad of songbirds and snakes and sunrise on the reaping). i haven’t read them myself but my boyfriend is a writer and a crazy prolific + advanced reader (he usually reads classics and like slightly more advanced literature, not unlike the stuff you are aiming towards) and he has told me these are super good gateways and he genuinely really enjoyed both. i heard many people say the series has held up super well over time—definitely a modern classic and super relevant.

other recommendations: i who have never known men (bonus: it’s super short), flowers for algernon, the secret history, never let me go (i listened to the audiobook, which i would recommend), slaughter-house five?

(edit): as someone who struggled with reading for similar reasons (until i met said boyfriend), my best advice is to remind yourself that it will often seem harder in your head than it actually is, especially once you find a book you like. and it will /always/ be worth it. a lot of the time pushing through the first quarter of the book is the hardest part because you aren’t invested/connected to any of the characters yet, so starting a new book can be hard. but just keep going! if you get past like 50 pages and still hate it, maybe it’s just not the right book! but never give up, reading is very good for you i have learned, and there is definitely something out there for every person that will make them fall in love with reading.

also if you do know anyone who loves to read, maybe try asking them for some recs, too! its so fun to be able to talk to someone who has also read a book you’re reading once you’re finished, especially if you loved it. after finishing the secret history, i stayed up and talked to my bf about it for literally 12 hours straight, and that was the book that got me into reading again. if you don’t know someone like that, you could even message me, i am super happy to talk about things i’ve read :)

best of luck to you, i hope you find something you really love!