grammaticality - Grammar Question: "have never read"

I am afraid I have never read Life of Pi, the novel by Yann Martel.

Is this sentence wrong? If not wrong, is it sloppy? To me it seems more appropriate to say:

I am afraid I never read Life of Pi, the novel by Yann Martel.

If neither is wrong, which is the better way of writing?

If possible, could you also contrast the inclusion/exclusion of "have" in the "have never" in the sentences below?

1. I have never read anything so stupid in my entire life.



2. I have never been to the USA.


3. I have never eaten at that restaurant.


4. I never read the books; I only attended the lectures.


5. I never lied.


6. I have never lied. [sentence seems wrong]

On a side note, would the sentence be improved if it is made less wordy?

I never read Yann Martel's Life of Pi.