Top 10 Favorite Characters from Books (TTT #16)

 

"Top Ten Tuesday" is a weekly bookish meme hosted by

The Broke and the Bookish. 

 This week's list topic is...

TOP 10 FAVORITE CHARACTERS FROM BOOKS

1. Leif Helgarson (Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne)

I have not minced words on this blog about how much I adore Leif Helgarson from IDC. I simply love him! He's just quirky enough to make me laugh, but handsome like a Regency gentleman. He is in fact still “Regency” in his mind, since that time period never really left him. He's an old-timey vampire living in our era, and he just doesn't understand anything modern. That's why he's so much fun to read about!

2. Puck (Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa)

As I read this series, I started out being a bigger fan of Ash than Puck, but after reading “Summer's Crossing,” (a short story about Puck), I realized I loved him more than Ash! He's just too fun. Not that I dislike Ash now, but Puck had hidden wonderfulness I never picked up on until then.

3. Ash (Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa)

See? I still like Ash—only I'd rank him a teensie bit lower than Puck nowadays. But, still he's third on this list. It's hard not to like this pretty ice prince with a warm core.

4. Jem Carstairs (The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare)

Silver hair, silver eyes and such a sweetheart of a guy. I love Jem because he's the nice best friend type who is always there for Tessa without being annoying, or in the way. He's a true gentleman and I don't know how anyone could not love him. But, alas, he's always playing second fiddle to Will (I just made the best allusion to Jem's violin playing. I rock!).

5. Oberon (Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne)

This list wouldn't be complete without adding the big hairy telepathic pooch of the Iron Druid Chronicles series. Yes, it's Oberon, Atticus' Irish wolfhound! If you want to get inside the head of the funniest fictional animal ever created, then head on over to these books. As he says, which is very reflective of his one-track mind, <Bacon is the Way and the Truth.>

6. Mr. Charles Bingley (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

I'm one of those weird P&P fans that actually is a bit more partial to Mr. Bingley than I am to Mr. Darcy. He's a character that seems so cute and agreeable to be around, it's a shame he's not in the book more. But, no. Of course, he must also play second fiddle to his heroic superior because, apparently, wonderful men are not interesting enough to young women. I suppose I'm just not that young anymore.

7. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

But, that doesn't mean I don't like Mr. Darcy—of course I do! I'm not immune to his charms and his personification portrayed by Mr. Colin Firth in the BBC television adaptation. For some reason, he still manages to be amazing, even if I still tell myself I'm more of a Bingley woman.

8. Mr. Jingle (The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens)

He is the villain character in this very early novel by Mr. Dickens, and is completely off his rocker. I love how he talks and how he just generally comes off like he needs more minutes in each hour. Is he rushed, or something? He clips off everything he says. I think he would have loved texting had he been written during our day and age.

9. Elder (Across the Universe by Beth Revis)

Yes! It is Ben Barnes in this photo! Anyway... I don't even know why I like Elder so much, but I just do. There's a je ne sais quoi about him that I can't put my finger on, but I think he's a very interesting YA hero. Perhaps it's because he has so much responsibility thrust on him at a very young age. He has to make impossible choices before he's old enough to really understand what the consequences are. Not to mention his unique situation. He's so interesting.

10. Orihime Inoue (BLEACH manga by Tite Kubo)

This entire list, and no ladies so far? I feel the need to include at least one, even though I honestly don't favor the female characters in books all that much. I don't know why that is. So, to include one on this list, I have no choice but to include Orihime Inoue. My favorite female fictional character isn't from a novel series, but a Japanese manga. I heart her SO much! Beautiful, silly, and super sweet. That's my Orihime-girl....

Who are your favorite fictional characters from books? 

Top 10 Fantasy Books To Read In a Day (TTT #15)

"Top Ten Tuesday" is a weekly bookish meme hosted by

The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's list topic is...

TOP 10 FANTASY BOOKS TO READ IN A DAY

 

I'm not quite the best authority on what books are good to read in one day because I never read full-length novels in only one day. I'm too slow of a reader for that! But, other people read faster than me and could easily finish off these 300-pages-or-less novels in a day. They are all potentially quick fantasy reads for the faster-than-me reader.

1. Hounded by Kevin Hearne
   This book is on auto-repeat for my Top Ten Tuesday posts, I know. I hope that doesn't annoy too much. But, it's short and super fast reading that will get you excited in a hurry. I probably could read this is one day because I just can't ever put it down when I pick it up. | My Review |
2. This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel
   I wish more people would read this one, which is a historical and a short enough read. It's easy to follow the prose and it's so adventurous and torturous, like any good book should be. | My Review |
3. Angelfall by Susan Ee
   This one will probably make it on my Top Ten Tuesday lists a lot in the future—so, you are forewarned. Amazing book, quick and to-the-point, and very exciting. Everyone's reading this one now, so you should be, too! | My Review |
4. Flash Gold by Lindsay Buroker
   This book is actually a novella (part of a series of them), so of course anyone can read it in one day, easily. I love the two main characters, especially the main protagonist, Kali. She's got a funny way of seeing the world and, yet, she's so easy to relate to. I'd also love to be as smart and inventive as she is. | My Review |
5. Switched by Amanda Hocking
   I enjoyed the YA voice in this one, and it made for a very quick and fun read. I also liked some of the characters, too. It's not a book that follows the typical stylistic pattern of YA paranormal romance (read: doesn't try to be one of the 'cool' kids), but offers something a little quirkier, which I liked. | My Review |
6. Borrowing Abby Grace by Kelly Green
   I just finished reading this little ditty and I really like it. It is a sort of homage to the Nancy Drew books of yore, thus it incorporates the mystery aspect really well. It also reminds me of Quantum Leap , that TV show from the 80's, but goes the paranormal rather than the sci-fi route to utilize the 'leaping' around. Review to come.
7. My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
   Here's a very quick and interesting read about Banshees that I liked. The story is engaging and has a very unpredictable twist at the end. It's the first in a series of several YA novels. | My Review |
8. Raggedy Chan by Camille Picott
   If you want to read a very unique Middle Grade book, then look no further than Raggedy Chan. I doubt you'll find anything about it that's derivative of anything else. It's so different and interesting, yet has a clear, meaningful message attached to it. Great for kids and adults alike. | My Review |
9. The Giver by Lois Lowry
   Most of you will have already read this one, but it's a great short read that delves deeply into a dystopian world that has set the stage for all contemporary dystopian novels floating around out there today. This one is excellent and will give you much to think about for days afterward.
10. Jane Jones: Worst. Vampire. Ever. by Caissie St. Onge
    Totally fun and funny. I read this quickly and it just made me laugh out loud throughout. It's a stand-alone and does everything it needs to do in a very short space. I loved the characters in it and felt that Jane, despite being a vampire, was so easy to relate to. After all, she wasn't the coolest vampire around, so even dorky humans (read: I) can relate to her. | My Review |

These are my picks for 1-day fantasy reads. What are yours?