What do I want in a winning chapter?

This was a question asked on the Chapter 4  forum.  Why not answer it?

First and foremost I look for a good read.  Unluckily, I’ve become extraordinarily picky in the last few years.  For me a good read is one that draws me into a satisfying story in spite of my inclination to notice any and every possible flaw from narrative intrusion to poor word choice.  Anything that can get me past the reader’s barrier will work for darn near anyone.

Or so I thought.  Yet my top picks aren’t showing up on other people’s lists.  They do, however, tend to show up in the top 10.

A matter of taste?  Maybe.

Alice