August 13, 2019
***Book titles are Amazon affiliate links
I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Book Characters That I’d Like For Best Friends.
Book Characters That I’d Like For Best Friends
Oh my! This is a difficult topic! I admire so many characters!
Many characters I love are from the histfic genre, and I can’t imagine sharing their difficult lives. Also, some of the characters I’d like to be friends with are younger than I am……but maybe that’s OK because we are pretending, and I guess I can become their age if I’m their imaginary friend! So I won’t worry about those pesky details!
Here’s the list I created (tomorrow could be a different list)…..I don’t want to hurt any favorite character’s feelings by leaving them off this list…..just know that there are a hundred more! (listed in no particular order)
Inspector Gamache, Reine Marie, Myrna, Clara
I’d love to be friends with Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his wife, Reine Marie (…..and Myrna the bookstore owner and Clara the artist)….. but prickly Ruth the poet kind of intimidates me!). I’d love to visit the Safe Haven of Three Pines and sit by the roaring fire in the Bistro for pastry and hot chocolate, or visit one of their homes for a comfort-food dinner and enjoy their cozy friendship.
A Better Man (Installment #15 in the Chief Inspector Gamache/Three Pines Series) by Louise Penny (counting the days until the 8/27 release!)
Genre: character-driven mystery
(My Kingdom of the Blind Review, The Series and Glass Houses Review)
Eliza
I’d love to be friends with the industrious, loyal, patriotic Eliza Hamilton (wife of Alexander Hamilton). Although she had eleven children and partnered closely with her husband in writing and drafting documents and probably wouldn’t have time to chit-chat, I still think it would be inspirational to have known her.
My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
Genre: Historical Fiction, U.S. History and the Founding
(My Review)
Cussy
I would love to have had the opportunity to befriend Cussy Mary Carter who endured racism because of a rare medical condition that caused her skin to appear blue and suffered more than her share of hardships due to poverty and isolation. Cussy is courageous, committed to literacy, always chooses kindness, and cares deeply for others (especially children). It would be a privilege to call her “friend.” (no worries, she doesn’t cuss!)
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
Genre: Historical Fiction, Racism, Prejudice, Book About Books
(Review coming this Friday)
Precious
I would be honored to be best friends with Precious Ramotswe. She’s a gentle spirit, gracious in her hospitality, wise, thoughtful, and kind. I could learn to drink tea!
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith
Genre: Fiction, Gentle Mystery (Africa)
(a review of The House of Unexpected Sisters)
Maggie
I can always be friends with a competent, caring, compassionate, creative teacher! I would love to be Maggie‘s teaching partner and her best friend! We would share middle grade lit recommendations and create engaging lesson plans!
The Secret of Clouds by Alyson Richman
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction
(my review here)
Layla
I would appreciate having Layla, the Mom from A Place For Us, as a friend because we have a great deal in common: we’ve both raised three children and survived teenage angst (two girls and a boy); we both value our spiritual faith and traditions; we each tried our very best to be great parents and yet still made mistakes; and we each value family and make sacrifices.
A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
Genre: multilayered family drama, contemporary fiction
(my review here)
Emilia
I would adore having a bookshop owner as a friend! I would help kind Emilia Nightingale save her father’s store, help customers find their perfect read, and enjoy the quaint English village community and colorful characters. Put me to work Emilia!
How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Books About Books
(my review here)
Emma
I’ve avoided mentioning WW11 characters until now because I don’t think I can match their bravery and courage. Emma (Emmanuelle) lives in a small village on the Normandy coast of France and she learned how to bake bread from the master village baker. When the Germans invaded and her mentor was forced to wear the yellow star and eventually taken away at gunpoint, Emma took over the bakery and stealthily found a way to fight back and help the starving villagers. The Germans gave her enough wheat to make twelve loaves of bread for their officers, but clever Emma ground straw to blend with the flour and secretly made two extra loaves every day to share with her village friends. The gift of bread also came with a serving of hope that they would all survive until help arrived from the Allies. I admire your bravery Emma and I’d deliver the bread for you!
The Baker’s Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan
Genre: Historical Fiction (WW11)
(my brief Goodreads review here)
Nancy
Because of my natural curiosity, my keen observational skills, and amateur sleuthing abilities (hello, I raised teenagers and was an upper elementary teacher!), I would love to be friends with my childhood hero, Nancy Drew! The fact that this was a series and I could buy or check out the next one was a huge factor in the voracious reader I am today. I admire you and I’d love to be your sidekick, Nancy!
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
Genre: YA Mystery, Classics
(no review)
Ada
I would love to befriend 10-year-old Ada as she faces relocation to the English countryside to avoid the bombing in London during WW11. She could use a great friend who doesn’t tease her for her physical disability (club foot) or make fun of her clothing because she’s poor. Even with facing an uncertain future (watching for bombers or spies and facing food shortages), I can envision myself making friends with the new girl and showing compassion for her situation. Ada can use a forever friend and I’m here for her!
The War That Saved My Life, and sequel, The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Genre: MG historical fiction (I promise that adults will love these!)
(brief Goodreads review here)
QOTD!
Which book character would YOU like as a best friend?!
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This is a subject that could go many miles on WordPress..questions,,,,, whose your favorite character, what was one you read of.
Don’t ask me that!!! It was difficult enough choosing 10! I love all of them for different reasons! 🙌
I’m not sure I’ve ever read a Nancy Drew book, but I do like the character as I’ve met her in films or TV shows. She’s definitely an iconic character. 🙂
Mma Romatswe. Great choice. My literary besties
Thanks! I love her 😍 Thanks for leaving your link!
The bookshop novel sounds lovely, and so does the character!
It was a fun easy heartfelt read! 👍😍
Mma Romatswe and Nancy Drew are fab choices!
😍Mma Ramotswe 😍
Did you grow up reading Nancy Drew?!
I didn’t but I think I may have seen a TV series sometime along with The Hardy Boys.
Oh, Mma Ramotswe any day!💜🤗
🙌🙌🙌
I’m intrigued by Cussy’s backstory. I want to know more now!
My TTT.
She’s a memorable character and it’s an unforgettable story! I hope you get a chance to read it! Thanks for commenting and leaving your link! 👍
Nancy Drew would make an interesting friend, that’s for sure. You’d have to make sure not to keep any secrets from her though. 🙂
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
Thanks for commenting and leaving your link!
I want to hang out with Nancy Drew too! lol, I remember enjoying her books a lot years ago. A lot of interesting sound titles I haven’t heard of in this list, going to try to look up some of them on GR. Great list!
Thanks! I hope you find something you might enjoy! Thank you for commenting!
These are such good picks! I feel like I’m really going to enjoy MY DEAR HAMILTON and Eliza is such an intriguing historical figure, I’m keen on getting to know this version of her. That being said, I also love that you included Nancy Drew. I’m surprised that I’ve only seen her included on a couple of lists so far this week. I feel like she is definitely one of the originals, you know? An original book BFF, that is.
I think you’ll love Eliza! 👍😍 Thanks for commenting!
A rare medical condition that causes your skin to be blue? Wow. That is interesting, especially when the main theme focused on is racism. This is an excellent and thorough list of friends! I would have picked Batman as my friend. I think we could change the world. Even faster. 😀
Batman is a great choice! 😂
Interesting that the blue people of Kentucky experienced the same racism and prejudice as blacks. (They are missing an enzyme in their blood that causes red blood to be darker because of lack of oxygen and thus the blue hue) Tragic and senseless! 💔 It does demonstrate the absurdity and ignorance of racism! I learned a lot about the blue people and pack librarians in this histfic read! It will be on my best of year list because of its thoughtful themes. Thanks for commenting!🙌
Awesome list! I love your blog design by the way!
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
Thanks for for your kind words and for stopping in to comment Krystianna!
I would love to be best friends with Charlie from The Perks of Being a Wallflower. He’s so sweet and loyal.
Great choice! Thanks for commenting!
Good choices. Thanks for telling us about the books! I will have to add them to my TBR pile. 🙂
I’m glad it’s helpful! Happy reading! ⭐️
I don’t know if I could even choose! How about Hermione or Ron.
[…] Book Characters That I’d Like as Best Friends—I’ve only read one of these on the list (and I don’t think we’d be good friends, but great acquaintances), but I like the idea of the post. […]
Thanks for including my link! 👍😍
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