Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: What I Like About You

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is...

What I Like About You!
I read a lot of books, and meet a lot of characters, but there are some that win a foothold in my heart, because there is just something special about them. Thinking back to all these characters I loved, I have identified certain types of characters, which endeared themselves to me. That is what we are talking about this Top Ten Tuesday. As always, I will feature YA books I have read and enjoyed, and will give an example of a character, who fits the description from a recent read.
  • Sensitive Males - I love seeing all these wonderful, sensitive male characters. A real man can be caring and sensitive, and I am glad to see so many authors challenging the common male stereotype.  See: Tucker - Our Year in Love and Parties by Karen Hattrup 
  • People with Passion - I always lamented my lack of passion, and therefore, am utterly enchanted by characters, who are passionate about something. I just love seeing someone with such a drive and strong interest, and I find it somewhat inspiring. See: Ryan - Stealing Home by Becky Wallace
  • Talented Beings - I guess I am pretty good at math, but I have no real talent, at least not in anything that matters. I am always in awe of those, who can create and be so good at things, and enjoy learning more about that thing that drives them. See: Oscar - Night Music by Jean Marie Thorne
  • Community Supporters - It's fantastic to do a good turn daily, and we are seeing lots of characters, who actively give back to their communities, which I think is a vital and beautiful thing. See: Zora - Truly Madly Royally by Debbie Riguard
  • Disciplined Individuals - They sometimes call me regimented, but I look at it as having some self discipline, which I believe is an integral part for attaining one's goals. See: Paige - Risking It All by S.M. Koz
  • Forgiving Folks - "To err is human, to forgive divine." Forgiveness can be a difficult thing to grant someone, but it's important, and therefore, something I value. See: Auggie - Wonder by R.J. Palacio
  • Persistent People - Failure is never fun, but to be able to dust yourself off, and try again is a quality that sets you apart. People, who don't give up, when the deck is stacked against them, are people I love to cheer for. See: Michigan - Michigan vs the Boys by Carrie S. Allen
  • Loyal Friends - It's easy to be on someone's side when all is going well, but it's a stupendous person, who stays loyal to you when the chips are down. They are also those people, who will support you, and do something that is difficult for them. See: Paul - Have a Little Faith in Me by Sonia Hartl
  • Brave Souls - Bravery is something I wish I had a lot more of. I get stuck in situations, because of fear, and hold a lot of admiration for those, who don't let fear rule them. See: Ava - Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart
  • Funny Humans - I love to laugh, and am always looking for someone, who can lighten my mental load with some humor. A character with a great sense of humor will always own me. See: Aphra - We Are the Perfect Girl by Ariel Kaplan

What are some traits you admire in characters?
Let us know in the comments!

40 comments:

  1. Okay your post title made me think of that song by the Romantics. It was the romantics, right? lol Anyway I had trouble with this one but you identified some good ones! I always like reading about loyal friendships as well, and well done humor is always appreciated too. :)

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    1. The Romantics, yep. Funny story, I originally had the video embedded, but than switched it out for the Wordle. I thought it was going to be really hard, but then I started scanning my read shelf, and once I started, I was able to come up with a bunch of traits I liked.

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  2. I thought you were writing a post about me! :P
    I love a good sensitive male hero too! And also I'm totally 100% a sucker for a loyal friend groups!

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    1. You slay me, but seriously, you have many, many good qualities. I say, bring on the soft boys. Love them!

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  3. Some of these are my favorite types of characters; like the sensitive male, persistent people and of course, funny humans. What a great list, I wish I would have particpated in it. Too lazy to do it now. Lol.

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    1. I thought this was going to be such a hard topic, but once I got started, it was easy to find those qualities in the characters I loved. You can always do it next week. I go off script with this meme every once in a while.

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  4. I like Forgiving Folks and Persisent People.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  5. I agree with all of these! Characters who can make me laugh will always be my favorites.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. Funny people will always be welcomed in my tribe. Laughter really is the best medicine for me.

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    1. Absolutely. That's why the funny sidekick is such a popular trope

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  7. I love the characteristics you chose! Unfortunately I haven't read any of these books yet, but several are on my TBR, so hopefully soon!!

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    1. I hope you get to a few of the books, because they were all winners for me

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  8. I love characters that strive to be better. And if they can make me laugh - even better.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Absolutely. Seeing a character trying to improve is motivating for me.

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  9. All of us of a certain age will be humming that song all day. Great list!

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    1. I originally had that video embedded in the post, but switched it out for the Wordle.

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  10. Those are some great character traits, Sam. And I think maybe we're drawn to characters who embody characteristics that we wish we had. I like witty heroines with independent streaks. :) Thanks for sharing the books - I'd only heard of two of them so my TBR will be growing. :)

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    1. I KNOW that is the case for me. These are qualities I admire in real and fiction people. I adore people, who are witty, and I agree a witty, wise, intelligent, and independent heroine is always a plus.

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  11. Loyal friends are the best - it's nice to see characters truly being there for each other.

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    1. Loyalty isn't as common as some may think, and that is why I value it so much.

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  12. What an awesome list. I love the loyalty value and people with a passion. So many great books up there!

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    1. Having even a small number of loyal people in my life is a gift

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  13. GAH I love ALL OF THESE which means that I clearly need to read more of them! You already had me interested in Michigan from your 5 star post, but now I am strongly considering Scars Like Wings, too!

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    1. Both were emotional, but survival stories, which always leave me feeling good. I found myself inhaling both books, and was so invested in the fate of these characters.

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  14. I enjoyed looking at your list-good choices!

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  15. Oh I definitely second your point on humour: I am a fan for life when a character just makes me laugh out loud. And I second Persistent People as well -- I am their one-woman cheering squad!

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    1. It's always so gratifying cheering for those characters, who never give up

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  16. I really like sensitive male characters as well! And I absolutely love disciplined people, passionate characters, forgiveness, persistence and loyal friends as well. Wonderful list!

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    1. Thanks. I hope we can normalize the sensitive male, because they really are wonderful.

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  17. All of these rate high with me too, especially sensitive males and forgiving folks. Great list!

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    1. I love that authors are trying to battle toxic masculinity in subtle and overt ways.

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  18. Loyal, Brave, Funny... Yep, yep, yep.
    Passion, talent and discipline are also good. I also like some sensitivity but didn't think to add that.
    Great list Sam! I like how you've linked each trait to a character and their book too. :)

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    1. There are so many qualities, that I admire in people/characters, so I tried to focus on specific characters I loved and what made me love them.

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  19. Fun topic - but when I think about it, the characteristics I look for in a character are pretty different than in a real person. Am I a weirdo???

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    1. It is fiction, so anything goes. I usually look for people different from myself or who possess qualities I wish I had.

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  20. We have a lot of similarities! I love me a sensitive male character, or a person with a passion (extra points if the passions are hobbies that we don't get to see much in books! We don't all have the stereotypical hobbies.) I also really like loyal characters - I think that is my favourite thing! And forgiving folk and also and humor also get to me.

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    1. YES! I love when the character has a unique passion. It allows me to learn a little bit about something that might not have been on my radar. I read a book this past weekend and the MC did collage art, but it was bigger than my base knowledge of collage, and I loved reading all those parts.

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