30 Days of Books :: Day 16

So while I've been procrastinating on finishing these 30 days (I know! It should not be taking me seven months to finish only 30 whole days!), the lovely Jenni Elyse, who had given me the idea, stopped blogging. *cue sadness* She's still around in other places, but I can't exactly link to her blog for this like I had been. Therefore, I simply wanted to do a shoutout to her awesomeness here! And officially state, again, that this idea is hers. Or at least I think it may have began with someone else (I can't remember who now), but she's the one who revived it last year. Cheers to you, Jenni! Thank you for being fabulous. Also for sharing fun ideas. Also, also, I sincerely hope you don't mind if I keep going in an attempt to actually complete this plan some day! :)

Day 16: Favorite female character

Oh my good gracious, do y'all have any idea how hard this one is?! I went looking at all my favorite stories and thinking about which characters I loved more than others and why. All that to narrow down my list to five ladies. FIVE! I know! How do I choose?! (I truly didn't think these questions would be so hard when I started this however long ago. Shows what I know.) So! I'm going to cheat and list all five.

Ha!

And here they are, in no particular order. Five awesome ladies that I recommend you meet if you haven't yet. :)

Jerusha Abbott - Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster
I have long been a fan of Judy. (I even waxed poetic about my love for this book!) I absolutely adore all her letters to Daddy Long Legs. She has a very unique way of looking at the world and her story never ceases to fill me with happiness. I love watching her grow more grown up over the course of the book and, best of all, slowly figure out precisely who she's been writing to that entire time. :)

Lady Meliara Astiar - Crown Duel/Court Duel by Sherwood Smith
I wrote a post about her a few years ago, talking about all the reasons why I think she's awesome. So I'll just direct you there instead of listing them all again. But I will share one of my favorite quotes and a very apt description of her. :)

"...she flailed bravely into adventure not because she wished to figure as a hero, but because she was determined to battle for right, even if she struggled from day to day to define just what "right" might be."

Catherine Dougall - The Thorn Keeper by Pepper D. Basham
There was something about Catherine that struck me when I first met her in book one, The Thorn Bearer. I couldn't put my finger precisely on it, but I knew I wanted more time with her. She is a mix of vulnerable sassiness and stubborn strength no matter her circumstances. Her character development from book one to the end of book two is a beautiful story of grace, mercy, and hope.

Valancy Stirling - The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery
There are many reasons I love this book, but Valancy is definitely at the top of the list! Watching as she begins to find her brave and chooses to live life instead of just existing is wonderful. It's not an easy road for her, but oh what a ride it is! (Especially thanks to Barney! ;)

Quincy St. Claire - The Q by Beth Brower
Quincy is, hands down, one of the most fascinating and awesome characters I've ever met! She is utterly like no other. The best words I could use to try and describe her are: compelling, stubborn, unique, and loyal. You should read her story and truly get to know her yourself!

"Quincy and Fisher walked through all this in silence. Silence was the most common stock-in-trade between them, and the portfolio of their friendship was thick with it. So, without words, they stepped across the streets, their feet pressing the pavement with the same sounds, their toes turned just so; they knew what life was like at each other's side. Sometimes he would speak, or she would, small offerings on the altar of their joint survival."

And there you have them! Five fascinating ladies I think are pretty amazing. Do you have a favorite female character? If so, tell me who! :)