Top 5… character driven books
Today’s Top 5 Tuesday is ‘character driven books’, and is hosted by the super lovely Shanah over at the Bionic Bookworm. You can visit her here, and join in for Top 5 Tuesday by checking out all the amazing topics we have coming up!
For those of you not across literary terms, character driven means: When something about the character’s essential self leads to a particular action or event in the story.
A great book I’ve read very recently that has a very character driven plot is Save the Date by Morgan Matson. The story is that of 17-year-old Charlie who has a lot to learn about her relationships with her other family members. Now, some of this story is plot driven (most of the ‘mishaps’ with regards to the wedding), but so much of the story is centred around how characters have reacted to certain things, which then drives additional plot points.
Next on my list is The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord. I love this book, and its characters. The evolution of how Paige comes to terms with the horrible hand she got dealt that one summer is really lovely, and I was totally cheering for her from the sidelines.
Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli is probably my number three character driven novel. I love this book (and in fact I love all of Albertalli’s books) so much, and Simon is such a precious little cherub who needs to be preserved for all of time.
Number two on my list absolutely goes to Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. This book is delightful and leaves you wanting more. Wanting to know what happened after the characters left the safe pages of this heart-wrenching novel, and if you could protect them! This is an absolutely beautiful story, and if you like YA contemporary books that deal with real issues, then this is a must-read.
My number one character driven book (or rather, series) is The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater. Yes, these books are fantasy, which normally isn’t hugely character driven; however, I think Stiefvater tells the plot around the character development. Each of the five main characters has a huge role to play in how the story evolves, and its through them that everything exciting (or terrifying) occurs. PS, I might fight you on this. (joking!)
11 Comments
Priyasha
I have Eleanor and Park on my list…
Do check out ?
Pingback:
Shanah - Bionic Book Worm
Fantastic choices! The Raven Cycle series is a prime example of character driven. I basically read that series because I loved the characters so much!
Thanks for participating – added you to the list 🙂
Beware Of The Reader
I still need to read this one by Emery Lord!
Ruqs
Great list! I also put The Raven Boys on my list 🙂
Meeghan reads
It’s such an awesome series!
hannawsreads
I have the Raven Boys sitting and waiting on my shelf just waiting for me to pick it up. I need to read Simon already too, I want to see the movie so bad 😀
thebookwormdrinketh
Great choices!! I haven’t read some of them, but save the Date and Eleanor & park definitely had some great characters!!
Lily @ Sprinkles of Dreams
Ahh I’m so happy to see Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda on your list! <3 Have you seen the movie as well? 🙂
Meeghan reads
Yes!! It’s probably my fave book to movie transition!! ?
Lily @ Sprinkles of Dreams
Yess, I’m so happy it did the book justice!!