I guess I would never mind to give definitions about such things.
Still of course I'm open to recognise what kind of literature I like. Qualities I appreciate are, among others, in this moment: Storytelling, the consideration of language, liveliness. I like it entertaning, but not swallowing...
Sorry for poor english expression, but I'm a german writer.
I'm very astonished again and again how Isaak Bashevis Singer is depicting his figures and places in his novels and short-storys. It reminds me very much on what someone (Stefan Zweig??) said about Tolstoy: That his figures and storys are so true that you don't even imagine they have been invented.
I think, this is a great quality, but of course, it's only given to few, and I can only stand beside and admire.
David

hey Kirsten...sorry but you will never find a definitive answer. it's like I would like somebody to answer : What is reality?:)
Literature it's one's favorite books, fiction or nonfiction,poetry or novel, excluding criticism or linguistics. it's about the message, that includes sens, feelings, ton and intention. I. E. Richards said that one's work should talk about feelings, about attitude, it'a about communication - the hardest process. it's about telling truth, and many works should be taken as telling truth, even tho it's hard.
i don't know if this answer pleases you, but i have tried:). have a nice weekend