TTT: Fictional Book Nerds

There is nothing more sexy–I mean amazing (but I also totally meant to say sexy)–than finding that some of the characters you like are book-lovers. Especially when those characters have so much more than just their intelligence that endears them. Like their sparkling personalities. And their wonderful smiles. And the way they can fly in the air and kick ass. Okay, maybe only a few of them can do that, but all the same. Book-nerds are adorable.

I’m going on fictional book characters, ’cause otherwise I’d totally throw a couple more movie/game peoples on here.

Ten Characters Who Are Fellow Book Nerds

Elend Venture (The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson) – If I didn’t already ship him with Vin I’d have said this man is totally my soulmate. Can I just sit and debate philosophically with him all day? Please? I love him. And not just because of his book-loving, obviously. He gets to the point in the series where he’s pretty friggin’ badass. And I’d have it no other way.

Elend: I kind of lost track of time…
Breeze: For two hours?
Elend: There were books involved.

Matilda (Matilda by Roald Dahl) – Two things about Matilda that were awesome: she’s a kid, she loves books, and she manages to fend for herself without the help of those silly adults she lives with. Okay, that’s three. I can maths, I swear!

All the reading she had done had given her a view of life that they had never seen.

Celaena Sardothien (Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas) – It shouldn’t be surprising that assassins can find time to read, away from the physical expectations of their profession. I mean, how do they get to be so knowledgeable about anything unless they pick up a book to read about things that could help them gain leverage over people, in places that they have yet traveled? I’m pretty sure Durzo Blint (different series, lol) has read enough books on herblore to get him to where he’s at as far as poisons go, so Celaena is no different. I just love her love for books, and I totally know there are two guys in Throne of Glass that love her love for books, too.

Libraries were full of ideas–perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons.

Hermione Granger (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling) – There is clearly no better representation of a book nerd in fictional literature than my girl Hermione. Throughout the series, Hermione proves time and again how important and dangerous knowledge can be, oftentimes saving Harry and Ron from danger and pointing them on the right track. Sure, Harry Potter is the Boy Who Lived, but Hermione Granger is the Girl Who Kicks Serious Ass With Her Sexy Book Learning.

I’ve tried a few simple spells just for practice and it’s all worked for me. I’ve learned all our course books by heart, of course.

Kvothe (The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss) – There’s a scene in The Name of the Wind where Kvothe walks into the Archives at the University that made me think of Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast walking into Beast’s library. It was just such a Moment of awe and wonder, and for Kvothe and Belle, this moment is everything. Kvothe has ulterior motives to get into the Archives, sure, but it hasn’t stopped him from loving words in a way not many people in his world do.

Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts. There are seven words that will make a person love you. There are ten words that will break a strong man’s will. But a word is nothing but a painting of a fire. A name is the fire itself.

Aziraphale (Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett) – Aziraphale is an angel who collects books. This is certainly a front for the humans, but there is a relish to Aziraphale’s owning a bookshop. He certainly enjoys getting those first editions, that’s for sure.

Aziraphale collected books. If he were totally honest with himself he would have to have admitted that his bookshop was simply somewhere to store them. He was not unusual in this. In order to maintain his cover as a typical second-hand book seller, he used every means short of actual physical violence to prevent customers from making a purchase. Unpleasant damp smells, glowering looks, erratic opening hours – he was incredibly good at it.

Tyrion Lannister (A Game of Thrones by G.R.R. Martin) – Who doesn’t love the imp?! He’s probably everybody’s favorite character at this point, considering he’s probably one of the few who people like and is still alive.

My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer and I have my mind…and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone if it is to keep its edge. That’s why I read so much Jon Snow.

Jo March (Little Women by Louisa May Alcott) – It’s been a while since I’ve read Little Women but I do remember Jo clearly. I remember reading the book when I was young and thinking that Jo had to be my favorite character because she liked reading. And she was an awesome sister.

I like good strong words that mean something…

Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen) – When you’re a romantic like Lizzy, you’re definitely filling your head with smutty literature. Okay, okay, I won’t go so far as smutty, but romance, I guess. None of that bodice-ripping stuff (though honestly, I’m pretty sure Lizzy Bennet would not be against such fiction!). She’s a gem, truly she is.

I am determined that nothing but the deepest love could ever induce me into matrimony.

Liesel Meminger (The Book Thief by Markus Zusak) – I couldn’t end this list without including Liesel! She devoured books during a very tumultuous time, and when she couldn’t get to a certain book, she went so far as stole them. And saved them from fires. Liesel’s my hero.

Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out, like the rain.