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15 Book Characters You Wish Were Your Best Friend
Some book characters create such a lasting, life-changing impression you wish they could step off the page and into your life. Imagine floating down a river—Lady of Shalott-style—with Anne Shirley, or hiking through the wilderness with Gandalf as your guide. These special characters show you pieces of yourself, and in return, you carry them around in your heart and in your head. While they may not actually exist, they’re your book best friends—and just like real-life best friends, they’re forever.
Last week we asked on Facebook and on Twitter: If you could be best friends with any book character, who would it be? Today we've got the top 15 answers, from brainy witches and wizards to quirky detectives and misfit teens.
Did your favorite make the list? If not, tell us who your book best friend is in the comments!
Check out more books featuring irresistible friendships with these Listopias: Best Friendship Books and Books Where Best Friends Fall in Love.
Last week we asked on Facebook and on Twitter: If you could be best friends with any book character, who would it be? Today we've got the top 15 answers, from brainy witches and wizards to quirky detectives and misfit teens.
Did your favorite make the list? If not, tell us who your book best friend is in the comments!
HERMIONE GRANGER
Harry Potter Series
by J.K. Rowling
A know-it-all with a big heart, this Gryffindor is the one you want on your side when facing bad days and/or You-Know-Who.
Honorable Mentions: Luna, Sirius, Snape, Hagrid, Harry, Neville, and practically the entire Weasley family
by J.K. Rowling
A know-it-all with a big heart, this Gryffindor is the one you want on your side when facing bad days and/or You-Know-Who.
Honorable Mentions: Luna, Sirius, Snape, Hagrid, Harry, Neville, and practically the entire Weasley family
ANNE SHIRLEY
Anne of Green Gables
by L.M. Montgomery
"Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think," Anne-with-an-e, former orphan and eternal daydreamer, decided after intense observation. "It's splendid to find out that there are so many of them in the world." And so many bosom book friends, too.
by L.M. Montgomery
"Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think," Anne-with-an-e, former orphan and eternal daydreamer, decided after intense observation. "It's splendid to find out that there are so many of them in the world." And so many bosom book friends, too.
TYRION LANNISTER
A Song of Ice and Fire
by George R.R. Martin
He may be largely reviled in Westeros, but Tyrion is the man—or Halfman—you’d want to hang out with in the real world. Devilishly clever, he’s also one of the only bibliophiles in the Seven Kingdoms.
by George R.R. Martin
He may be largely reviled in Westeros, but Tyrion is the man—or Halfman—you’d want to hang out with in the real world. Devilishly clever, he’s also one of the only bibliophiles in the Seven Kingdoms.
JO MARCH
Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott
If you want an easygoing book best friend, Jo is probably not for you. Willful and hot-tempered, this March sister would challenge you at every turn, but she’d always be there to inspire and motivate.
by Louisa May Alcott
If you want an easygoing book best friend, Jo is probably not for you. Willful and hot-tempered, this March sister would challenge you at every turn, but she’d always be there to inspire and motivate.
ATTICUS FINCH
To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
The world would be a better place if we were all friends with this humble champion of human dignity. We need his wisdom: “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”
Honorable Mentions: Scout Finch and Boo Radley
by Harper Lee
The world would be a better place if we were all friends with this humble champion of human dignity. We need his wisdom: “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”
Honorable Mentions: Scout Finch and Boo Radley
ELIZABETH BENNET
Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
Even Jane Austen wanted to be buddies with the liveliest and cleverest of the Bennet sisters. “I must confess that I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print,” she boasted of her own creation.
by Jane Austen
Even Jane Austen wanted to be buddies with the liveliest and cleverest of the Bennet sisters. “I must confess that I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print,” she boasted of her own creation.
PONYBOY CURTIS
The Outsiders
by S.E. Hinton
Sensitive and moody, Ponyboy is the best friend who would ride out life’s ups and downs with you. And together, you could both stay golden.
by S.E. Hinton
Sensitive and moody, Ponyboy is the best friend who would ride out life’s ups and downs with you. And together, you could both stay golden.
STEPHANIE PLUM
Stephanie Plum Series
by Janet Evanovich
Channel your inner crime-fighter with a book friend like Stephanie. She’d encourage you to go outside your comfort zone, especially for pineapple upside-down cake.
Honorable Mentions: Grandma Mazur and Lula
by Janet Evanovich
Channel your inner crime-fighter with a book friend like Stephanie. She’d encourage you to go outside your comfort zone, especially for pineapple upside-down cake.
Honorable Mentions: Grandma Mazur and Lula
GANDALF
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Everyone could use a pipe-smoking wizard pal who shows up unannounced with promises of adventure and burglary (but only from dragons who deserve it).
Honorable Mention: Samwise Gamgee and Aragorn
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Everyone could use a pipe-smoking wizard pal who shows up unannounced with promises of adventure and burglary (but only from dragons who deserve it).
Honorable Mention: Samwise Gamgee and Aragorn
LESTAT DE LIONCOURT
The Vampire Lestat
by Anne Rice
If you want to be book best friends with a blood-sucking vampire, it's your funeral—er, prerogative. “The Brat Prince” would take you on wild, lavish escapades before possibly turning you into a vampire.
by Anne Rice
If you want to be book best friends with a blood-sucking vampire, it's your funeral—er, prerogative. “The Brat Prince” would take you on wild, lavish escapades before possibly turning you into a vampire.
CHARLIE KELMECKIS
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky
Feeling misunderstood? Charlie understands. The quiet and creative teen would take time to get to know the real you. He’d also give you some pretty spot-on presents.
by Stephen Chbosky
Feeling misunderstood? Charlie understands. The quiet and creative teen would take time to get to know the real you. He’d also give you some pretty spot-on presents.
KINSEY MILLHONE
Alphabet Mystery Series
by Sue Grafton
Independent and street-smart, Kinsey is the book best friend for tough gals (and guys) who love solving mysteries and biting into a peanut butter and pickle sandwich.
by Sue Grafton
Independent and street-smart, Kinsey is the book best friend for tough gals (and guys) who love solving mysteries and biting into a peanut butter and pickle sandwich.
KATNISS EVERDEEN
The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
Having trouble with a totalitarian government, poverty, or getting your side braids plaited just right? As your book best friend, Katniss would ensure the odds are ever in your favor. (And if they're not, she'll "adjust" the odds with her trusty bow and arrow.)
by Suzanne Collins
Having trouble with a totalitarian government, poverty, or getting your side braids plaited just right? As your book best friend, Katniss would ensure the odds are ever in your favor. (And if they're not, she'll "adjust" the odds with her trusty bow and arrow.)
JAMIE FRASER
Outlander
by Diana Gabaldon
So everyone who picked Jamie wants a strictly platonic book friendship, right? Okay, good. That's what we thought.
Honorable Mention: Claire Fraser
by Diana Gabaldon
So everyone who picked Jamie wants a strictly platonic book friendship, right? Okay, good. That's what we thought.
Honorable Mention: Claire Fraser
SHERLOCK HOLMES
Sherlock Holmes Series
by Arthur Conan Doyle
Watson may be Sherlock's best friend in the novels (and in the TV shows and in the movies), but in book friendship land, anything is possible. But be prepared for the consulting detective's mercilessly unfiltered opinions on everything and everyone.
by Arthur Conan Doyle
Watson may be Sherlock's best friend in the novels (and in the TV shows and in the movies), but in book friendship land, anything is possible. But be prepared for the consulting detective's mercilessly unfiltered opinions on everything and everyone.
Check out more books featuring irresistible friendships with these Listopias: Best Friendship Books and Books Where Best Friends Fall in Love.
Comments Showing 1-50 of 230 (230 new)
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Katie
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Apr 07, 2015 10:13AM
I really want Arya Stark on my side.
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I'd probably like to be on the good side of Danerys Targaryen...and her dragons...
For me it's Ennet House Drug and Alcohol Recovery House's Don Gately.
I'll take Tyrion Lannister as my book best friend any day, but I want Jamie Fraser to be my book BOYFRIEND!!! LOL
I want to be friends with rafe khatchadorian
I´d want to be friends with Danerys and her dragons ... or I´d like to have Oberyn Martell!
Goldy Schulz from Diane Mott Davidson's books.
Out of the ones listed above I'd pick Jamie from Outlander but I'd have to pick Gatsby from the Great Gatsby..all time favorite book and character
Definitely Steve Temple...her character isn't used to its potential which is such a shame. Or Hugh Drummond!
I'd have loved to have been friends with Masterharper Robinton of Anne McCaffrey's Pern series.
Shams of Tebriz from Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
Jim Heron: The Fallen Angels Series by J. R. Ward
Flavia DeLuce,Lisbeth Salander, Catherine Sloper, Valentine Michael Smith, Sidney Carton and that poor creature from Frankenstein.
Miles Naismith Vorkosigan from Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold.He's been my books best friend ever....
I want to be Claire fraser from Outlander! Then I'd get Jamie :-D
Sherlock Holmes- even when I would've crazed against the tobbaco smoke.
M.E. wrote: "I'd have loved to have been friends with Masterharper Robinton of Anne McCaffrey's Pern series."Oh, absolutely!!!! Excellent choice.
I'd love to spend vacations with the Weasleys!
Walter Longmire (though the Weasleys are an excellent choice).
Jean Louise "Scout" Finch. But it'll be great with Gandalf too. ;)
Pratik wrote: "Jean Louise "Scout" Finch. But it'll be great with Gandalf too. ;)" Agree.
My book best friend is Simon Lewis from Mortal Instruments. I have always wanted a friend who is guy and a geek like Simon.
My book best friend is Ren from Tiger's Curse
I picked Ginny Wealsey, instead of Hermione (figured everyone would want her as their best friend) and also Elizabeth Bennett. I did not think about Jo March or Sherlock Holmes, but those are both excellent choices.
Such a fun list and blog post, thank you. Look forward to these bookish posts and glad they're coming with more frequency.I'd like Hercule Poirot to the list (when he lived.) He amused me and seemed a good, considerate friend in the Agatha Christie books. Plus, he seemed to good about predicting deaths before they happened, which could come in handy if you have a lot of enemies. ;)
Sathya wrote: "Lisbeth Salander!"She has Aspenger syndrome, therefore, she probably wouldn't care much for friends! Lol
Lestat! He's my first book-crush of cours I still want him by my side ^^
I would pick Harry Dresden or Molly from the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher or Rose from the Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead :)
I'd like Aomame of 1q84 as a best friend
Cotton Malone from Steve Berry's books would be amazing to hang out with!
Sathya wrote: "Lisbeth Salander!"Agreed! (I cheated, not reading the novels but watched the original Swedish films.)
Horatio, Scout, Max Vandenburg, Hamlet, Jay Gastby and Salamanca Tree Hiddle.
Arya StarkKvothe from the name of the wind
I don´t wanna be friends with Kaniss I want to be Katniss
I wan to to be friends with Jo in Little Women
I don´t want to be friends with the Frasier man. I wanna be his Claire.
I also wanna be friends with Luna and Neville
Jeni wrote: "I would pick Harry Dresden or Molly from the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher or Rose from the Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead :)"Totally agree with these, too--after Master Robinton and Gandalf.
Tessa wrote: "Jeni wrote: "I would pick Harry Dresden or Molly from the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher or Rose from the Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead :)"Totally agree with these, too--after Master Robinton an..."
Harry Dresden is defiantly a good friend
always Harry PotterAs for the others, dunno xD Lizzie is awesome, but I don't know how we would click.
And in hunger games, Finnick would be a better mate
I would wanna be friends with Shane from Glass Houses and I know this is also a game but I would defo be friends with Maya from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney 1
Sharon McCone and her whole staff (Sharon McCone series by Marcia Muller). Charles Butler since Mallory is too much of a sociopath to care about friends (Kathleen Mallory series by Carol O'Connell). Amelia Peabody (Elizabeth Peters). Alexia Tarabotti (Parasol Protectorate). Piemur (Dragonriders of Pern) although he might be a better little brother.
