I have eclectic tastes when it comes to books, enjoying everything from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings masterpiece to Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley mysteries. I read a lot of young adult novels and adult urban fantasy to enhance my own writing.
When selecting a book, I admit to being easily swayed by a great cover or jacket blurb. I prefer books with a unique protagonist--male or female--who while strong, is also realistic, like Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden. I've grown tired of seemingly invincible female protags that have taken over the UF genre, and look for heroines who adapt and change with the plot while maintaining some sense of vulnerability.
I have nothing against romance, but I prefer romantic entanglements to play a secondary role within the plot. I'm not really into the HEA storyline of traditional romance novels. I prefer paranormal and supernatural elements in this genre.