My Magna Carta

What makes a good novel?
Chris Baty, who wrote No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days, made this list for himself (pp. 85-86):

first-person narration
quirky characters
true love
found objects
disappointment
music
catharsis
feisty old people
strong, charismatic protagonists
improbable romances
smart but unpretentious writing
urban settings
cliffhanger chapter endings
characters who are at turning points in their lives
books set in the workplace
happy endings

So, what do I like best in a good novel?
Baty says, "Okay, now make your list. Go crazy, and take as long as you want. Once you've finished, frame it. This document will be your Magna Carta for the next month, helping you channel your awesome writing powers for the good of the people" (p. 86).

third-person narration
feisty old people
strong, charismatic protagonist
liminality = characters who are at thresholds
disappointment
found objects, if Baty means "coincidental" things
nature settings, but in the city
unpretentious writing, yes, that sounds natural
catharsis = purging of emotions, relieving emotional tensions
happy endings

Here's one other sentence from Baty that I really like: "Write your joy, and good things will follow" (p. 88).