That I have loved just about any plot ever conceived by Dan Brown despite the fact that I see the death of the English language in everything he writes =P
Here's another of mine: I like MCs who are technical geniuses. I loved the Tom Swift Jr. books when I was eight or so. Iron Man is my favorite superhero because Tony Stark INVENTS what makes him a superhero. I love it when the MC is in a terrible position and tinkers together a way out, using brains and skill and creativity. Maybe it's because I'm a nerd and I love it when nerds win using their nerdiness. I just think that's cool.
The wise & old beyond his appearance man of questionable/mysterious origin who does what he can to help without causing too much damage for the mundanes he's helping. The Doctor is the perfect fit for this, and I certainly have a habit of bringing them up in my work.
I dunno why, but I have a thing for slavery (and not the sexual kind). A book about a slave escaping via the Underground Railroad? Count me in. No idea why.
My secret pleasure is the brooding MC. Not exactly angst, probably just 'dark pessimism'. Another thing I love is the sarcastic, wisecracking MC; think Max from James Patterson's Maximum Ride series, or even Odd Thomas from Koontz's Odd Thomas series. (Although Odd isn't really as sarcastic as he is wisecracking)
Mine is a nice romantic suspence novel by Mary Stewart, that is comfort-read to me, when I've had a bad day this is what I pick up That is the kind of literature I don't need to read analytically (= read like a writer), I just read and enjoy the pictures that my imagination paints from her words.
The Sad Smart hero who is misunderstood by the whole world. Maybe a little bit crazy too! I truly identify with this type of character, like Raskolnikov of Crime & Punishment.
