To me, a good book makes me sad when I finish it, even if it isn’t a sad story. Just a story that you don’t want to end because it, and the characters, are so good. A good book can be read over and over without getting boring, keeps you turning the pages and dreading the end, and has you thinking about what you’ve read even when you are well into another book.
The author can’t “cheat” with the plot and uses great language. I like humor, particularly if the humor is dark or sarcastic. Although, sometimes unexpected silliness is great too. Being truly funny isn’t easy to pull off. There are so many authors I enjoy, from Stephen King to Jane Austen (of course!). Janet Evanovich always cracks me up, and I like the Dexter books as well.
OK, I’ll just be honest. I’m a book whore. If it’s well written I’ll read it and I don’t really care what the genre is. Other than romance novels—I can’t stomach those. I always have to have a book to read. I’d go a little nuts otherwise.