Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
This week’s topic was a little tricky for me, so I wasn’t able to come up with a full list of ten responses.
Interestingly enough, all of the answers I did think of were from the Young Adult genre!
I don’t know if that genre tends to have fabulous secondary characters in general or if we tend to remember them better if we first meet them as kids or teenagers. Then again, maybe there is another explanation for that entirely.
What do you all think? Have you noticed a similar pattern in your reading habits?
There are some mild spoilers in this post, so reader beware if you haven’t read any of these titles yet. I’m hoping they’re all old and well-known enough that you’ve all either read them or already know they’re not your preferred reading material.
Book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Character: Haymitch Abernathy
Why I Loved Them: Physically, he survived a previous Hunger Games. I’d argue that his emotional survival of that event was an entirely different story due to how his alcoholism and harsh, self-imposed social isolation afterwards were described in this series. If only we could have a prequel that dug into his life in greater depth. Wouldn’t it have been fascinating to see how he survived and why his life turned out the way it did?
Book: The Giver by Lois Lowry
Character: Jonas’ father
Why I Loved Them: Jonas’ father worked as a Nurturer. That is to say, he took care of infants and young toddlers before they were assigned to permanent homes. Occasionally, he was expected to end the lives of infants who were disabled or otherwise didn’t meet the Community’s criteria for citizenship. I can’t imagine being expected to do that. What did he really think about his assigned occupation? Was he horrified by that portion of the position when he first began training for it?
Book: The Harry Potter series from J.K. Rowling. (I will always love this series, but have chosen not to include a link to it due to the author’s behaviour).
Character: Luna Lovegood
Why I Loved Them: She was an incredibly perceptive and hopeful character. I thought her quirkiness made her more memorable in many ways than the actual protagonist of this series.
Book: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Character: Uncle Carlos
Why I Loved Them: His perspective as a detective who was so emotionally connected to the key witness gave him a unique view into this case. While I totally understand why the story was told through Starr’s eyes instead due to her being the only witness of Khalil’s murder, it would have been cool to spend more time exploring how Uncle Carlos felt about all of it.
I think there were a lot of characters in the hp series that deserved more love like Luna. But also Neville and some of the teachers. But even if she wrote about them now I’d never read it.
That’s a good point. I doubt I’d buy ever more of her books either. It’s hard to let go of childhood favourites, though. 🙂
Haymitch would have been such a better character to have a prequel than Snow. I don’t think I’d ever read anything by JK Rowling ever again, even though there are so many HP characters I’d love more stories about, because of everything that’s happened recently.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/08/10/top-ten-tuesday-328/
I hear you there! Rowling lost so many fans over her abhorrent behaviour.
Oh, I forgot about Luna Lovegood. She’s an excellent choice. I really loved Luna in the HP books.
Thank you!
These are great picks! I also struggled with finding ten, so I am relieved that I wasn’t the only one!
Thanks. Yeah, this was a tough topic for sure at least for some of us.
Ooh, such awesome and unique picks, Lydia! I’d definitely love to know more about Haymitch and Uncle Carlos but I didn’t even think of these characters when I made my post this week 😂 It was definitely a toughie but love your list!
Thank you for your kind words, Dini.
These are such good choices — I’d want to read more about any or all of them! Haymitch is such a pathetic character most of the time, yet he survived and must have so many untold stories. I’d love to hear more about his earlier life!
Thank you! I’m sure he had excellent reasons for behaving the way he did. I can’t imagine the horrors he experienced.
I love Haymitch and now I kinda want a story about him. Luna will always be a favorite of mine from the movies. I agree with Uncle Carlos as well.
Glad to hear it!
To be honest I was surprised, when the movies were big, that no film or book Haymitch spinoff emerged.
I know, right? What a missed opportunity.
You may have only come up with a handful, but they are all great picks. I totally agree with them all.
Aww, thanks! I appreciate that.
Great choices! I would have loved a story about Haymitch or Uncle Carlos. And Luna was one of my favorite HP characters too.
Wasn’t she the best? 🙂
Wow, what an amazing list you came up with! There is definitely something amazing about YA side characters that makes them so appealing. I was honestly hoping for the prequel to be about Haymitch – he was always the most intriguing side character for me. And I love the idea of learning more about Uncle Carlos and his perspective on what was going on. I kind of wish you had come up with more, because the ones that you listed were so amazing! Great job this week.
Thank you very much! I really appreciate your kind words.
Great choices! I especially think Haymitch would be a fabulous perspective. He’s so introspective and has a lot of stories to tell. Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday.
Yes, exactly! And thanks.
Great list! I also find that I often remember side characters from books I read in my childhood better than books I read as an adult—in my case at least, I think it’s because those are the characters I had self-insert daydreams about. (Now, as an adult, I’m more likely to be daydreaming about novels I’m planning instead of novels I’ve read.)
Haymitch would have been a much better choice for a prequel book, I agree. Maybe we’ll still get that one. Though I agree with other commenters, even if Luna or one of the other awesome HP side characters were to get their own book, I’m not likely to read them. JKR burned too many bridges there.
My post this week
I daydreamed about side characters, too! That must be why they’re so memorable.
And I totally agree with you on JKR burning too many bridges. It’s horrible to see what she’s become (or maybe always was?) 🙁
Great list! I’d love to see Haymitch in something again – I’d actually love to see him after The Hunger Games trilogy rather than a prequel, but that’s mostly because I love stories about how characters deal with trauma in the public eye.
Ooh, good idea! And thanks.
I could read a book about any of the characters in The Giver. Great list!
I’m glad to hear that. Wasn’t it a great story?
Oh yeah that first pick! I saw the movies before the books and loved him in that- then again when I got to the book lol 🙂
🙂
Luna Lovegood is on my list, too. I considered Haymitch but I’m not sure I like him. Ha! My TTT Characters who need their own novels
That’s awesome!
And no worries. Haymitch definitely had some rough edges.
Haymitch’s story would be interesting! I would read that.
Cool!
I would love to read Haymitch’s Hunger Games! (Depressing as that sounds.) Great list 🙂
Glad to hear it. And thanks.
Great list! Luna and Uncle Carlos are such great characters; I would love to know more about both of them.
I twisted the topic some, as I have trouble remembering secondary characters.
Thanks for stopping by my post earlier.
You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked my answers.
Uncle Carlos’ point of view would be interesting to read about.
I’m glad you think so!
I agree with all of these! There are so many Hunger Games characters that I desperately wanted to know more about.
Yay! I’m glad you agree.
I agree, I would like a Haymitch prequel! Way more interested in that than a President Snow prequel.
Glad to hear it. 🙂
Haymich! Yes! I have to agree with everyone who wants a prequel with him over Snow, I mean, c’mon!
Exactly!
Excellent choices. Luna Lovegood could make a very interesting book of her own.
I’m glad you agree there. 🙂
There are SO many great side characters in the HP books. Luna is a great pick. She definitely stands out from the pack and, I agree, I would love to read more about her!
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Yay! I’m glad you agree. Happy belated TTT.
Agreed – I would like to see a Haymitch prequel. Thanks for sharing!
Check out my TTT
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Luna is definitely one of my favorite characters in HP!😍 Also I love that you included Uncle Carlos on this list!😂
Heh, thanks!
I think this is the first time I’ve read all the books on someone’s list! These are all great books and great characters that definitely deserve more love. I would love for Suzanne Collins to write a book from Haymitch’s perspective; he’s such an interesting character.
Yay! That’s awesome.
May we get that Haymitch book someday.
Great choices. Luna was always a favorite of mine too.
Thank you!