what is the most important factor that you would use to judge a book?

It is simply this... Did I see afterwards, what I did not see before.

There's always something about the books I like best that make me feel like the world in it is real. As in, there's 'realism', where they present the world in a way that's complex and morally grey, but that's not the same thing as creating a world and characters that have that vividness that makes it linger with you even after the book's ended.

There has to be a powerful story inside. Strong characters, places I can see and almost feel. The plot of the story has to touch my soul.

to persevere over your faults and still have a series of your own books.

It's cover

Reading Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda, when I was 16, in 1966, was a life-changing experience for me. I had become disenchanted with Christianity and it made me aware of other spiritual paths.

The way the story is told, and author insight. BTW, I'm currently reading "20,000 Leagues Under the sea", :-D

Doesn't matter what its about if it makes me feel. As long as there's a connection

Before reading it? I generally judge by the author

The author

How I feel after reading it, do I want to read this again because of how good it was, do I never want to read it again because it will never be as good as it was the first time, did it make me really think, or really feel something genuine