What makes a good book?

Reading a good book is never a chore.

A good book never bores you into submission - sometimes it seduces you, sometimes it clubs you round the head and drags you off to its cave - but it never, ever, wins by default. You may well fall asleep while reading a good book - but that will be because your body is weak, while the book has the stamina of an Ox.

A good book doesn't have to tart itself up with a come hither cover (but, interestingly.....many do).

A good book will wrap you up like a duvet. It will soothe you like a hot bath. It might excite you, or tear at your heartstrings, or make your heart sing, or utterly destroy you (and then maybe rebuild you again).

A good book may restore your faith in human nature. It may restore you faith in love. Or faith.

A good book may make you laugh. Or forget yourself. Or understand yourself. Or remember who you are, or once were, or would like to be.

A good book will always leave you wanting more.

A good book will never ever be a waste of time.

A good book is everything.