Malcolm Gladwell defines successful writing

To write well, first read good writing. Any book from Malcolm Gladwell would qualify, but for sheer enjoyment, pick up What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures, a collection of essays previously published in The New Yorker.
In his preface, Gladwell says, “Good writing does not succeed or fail on the strength of its ability to persuade. It succeeds or fails on the strength of its ability to engage you, to make you think, to give you a glimpse into someone else’s head.”