Top Ten Tuesday: Back to School, sigh

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, featuring a top ten list every Tuesday (obviously) centered around a book-related topic. If you’ve got a blog and did a list for this week, feel free to link in the comments so we can chat! If you haven't, feel free to discuss anyways!

Without ado, this week's TTT topic:

Top Ten Book Characters That Would Be Sitting At My Lunch Table

Are we going by the assumption that if I ask, they'll agree?

1. Jun-sang (Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick)

I feel like I'm cheating because Demick's Nothing to Envy is narrative non-fiction, i.e. this person exists under a real name. But honestly, science student? Literature lover? We'd hit it off right away (minus communication barrier, because I can't remember if he speaks English). I'd also love to hear his account of the N. Korea gov't firsthand, and compare with local politics.

2. Legolas (from LOTR)

Because Elves are awesome, I need to learn Elvish, LOTR is awesome, bow-and-arrows are totally in fashion. Also, he can sing. Need I say more?

(Hang on, do Middle-earth Elves even go to school?)

3. Tyene Sand (from A Song of Ice and Fire)

She could teach me a lot about disguises and poisons, which is necessary for my world domination plan writing. On second thought, maybe she'd try to poison me ... not good ... should I find someone who can recognize poisons?

4. Hermione Granger (from Harry Potter)

For one, I'm certain she actually goes to school, and I'm sure she's read up on all the poisons Tyene might use. Nuclear deterrent.

More to the point, she can brief me on whatever readings I've neglected to do, and we can discuss the magic/science debate. I shall do my best to establish Wi-Fi in Hogwarts.

5. Isadora Quagmire (from A Series of Unfortunate Events)

She manages to make the best of a very bad situation (read: Orphans' Shack) and writes couplets. I mean, how awesome is that. I can't even write a haiku. Also, lots of offscreen badassery in the last few books.

6. Benjamin (the mule from Animal Farm)

Um, okay, another character who doesn't go to school, but seriously, the snark. The pessimism. His sheer awesomeness. The way he just sits by and says, "who cares, won't make a difference." It's a perfect representation of my political beliefs. Scratch that, it's my life motto.

7. Anne (from Anne of Green Gables)

She's so adorable and dreamy. I mean, most of the other people at the table are pretty jaded, but Anne is so sweet even after she's grown up. And she's really smart too.

8. Susan Pevensie (from The Chronicles of Narnia)

Yes, I know, more archers. (To be fair, Narnia came before The Hunger Games and LOTR too, I think.) But it's not just Susan's badassery, it's also the fact she is smart, she keeps her head, and dammit, she ruled an entire kingdom of nonhumans. (Also I completely support the headcanon advocated here, which makes Susan twenty times more awesome)

9 & 10. Celia Bowen and Marco Alisdair (from The Night Circus)

Because they are the best couple ever. I'm not much of a romance fan, but this. This blew me away. Also, they can do magic. How awesome is that? (And they're also really really nice people.)

What about you? What literary companions would you seek to alleviate the stress of school? Comments make my day, and if you've also done a post, leave a link so I can gasp at your awesomeness! ;)

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