Top Ten Standout Side Characters in Books

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature from The Broke and the Bookish. This week we’re counting down the Top Ten Memorable Secondary Characters. I participated the first time this topic came up in May 2011 and I referred back to my list to see if there was any overlap. And yes, I still think highly enough of Cinna, Myrnin and Magnus Bane to want to include them on the 2013 update, but I restrained myself.

I was going to try and make it an all book-to-movie edition but I couldn’t get to ten. In no particular order, here are some of my favorite secondary characters:

1. Patrick from The Perks of Being a WallflowerΒ  – Patrick is witty and loyal, and takes freshman Charlie under his wing. Patrick got his “Nothing” nickname when he told his shop teacher to call him Patrick or call him nothing. Love him in the book and Ezra Miller’s portrayal in the movie.

Patrick Perks of Being a Wallflower
Charlie (Logan Lerman), Patrick (Ezra Miller) and Sam (Emma Watson) from Perks of Being a Wallflower (Summit Entertainment)

2. Christina from Divergent – Christina helps Tris during Dauntless initiation learn the ropes and to break out of her Abnegation comfort zone. She’s tough as nails and ambitious, though her fear landscape reveals a fear of moths.

Christina Divergent
Tris (Shailene Woodley), Christina (Zoe Kravitz) and Will (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) from Divergent (Summit Entertainment)

3. M from Warm Bodies –Β  R’s zombie sidekick has a funny sense of humor. They attempt to have grunting conversations and pair up to hunt humans. Once he starts to regain his humanity he’s even funnier.

M (Rob Corddry) Warm Bodies Rob Corddry
M (Rob Corddry) from Warm Bodies (Summit Entertainment)

4. Johanna Mason from Catching Fire – Cinna’s my favorite forever, but I do think Johanna is really something else. She is fearless and tells it like it is. I hope that Jenna Malone does her character justice!

Johanna Mason Catching Fire Jena Malone
Johanna Mason (Jena Malone) from Catching Fire (Lionsgate/Capitol Couture)

5. Dee from Just One Day – When I think about this book I first remember the Paris trip with Allyson/Lulu and Willem, but one character who makes an impression back home is Allyson’s friend Dee/D’Angelo. He’s one person who really gets her and helps her pull herself back together.

6. Isabelle from City of Bones – Isabelle is a shadowhunter who fights hard and looks good doing it. She’s a tough cookie but once you get to know her she’s loyal to the end.

Isabelle City of Bones Jemima West
Isabelle (Jemima West) from City of Bones (Constantin/Sony Pictures)

7. The Garrett family in My Life Next Door – It’s impossible to pick just one Garrett! They are a package deal, though I have a soft spot for adorable George.

8. Mia from Vampire AcademyΒ  – I like when the mean girls get redemption. Mia is Rose’s nemesis in VA but comes to be an ally and has quite a cool power.

Mia Rinaldi Sami Gayle Vampire Academy
Mia (Sami Gayle) from Vampire Academy (Angry Films/Weinstein Company) Photo source:vampireacademy.wikia.com

9. Willie from Out of the Easy – Willie is the tough, shrewd businesswoman/madam who is also a mother figure to Josie. You don’t want to get on Willie’s bad side, but if you gain her trust you have an awesome person in your corner.

10. Isaac from The Fault in Our Stars – Isaac is the bridge between Hazel and Augustus and an important part of the friend trio. He loses his eye and loses his girlfriend at the same time but is a good friend to the end.

Isaac The Fault in Our Stars Nat Wolff
Nat Wolff will play Isaac in The Fault in Our Stars (photo from Admission movie/Focus Features)

Your turn! Who are your favorite secondary characters?

Ornament

21 thoughts on “Top Ten Standout Side Characters in Books

  1. Deb says:

    I can’t believe I missed so many of these. They’re awesome! Looks lke I have to add a few to my TBR as well πŸ™‚

  2. Rebecca says:

    I loved Willie in Out Of the Easy! I didn’t think I would at first, but she proved to be more good than she was bad in the end. I also really appreciated Mia in the Vampire Academy books – people can change, right? I really need to re-read Divergent soon so I can pick up the sequel – I remember most of what happened, but the details are fuzzy. Still, I remember really liking Christina. Lovely list!

  3. Patrick! and Christina! Two more I left off!

    Thanks for stoppin’ by! Have a good week!

  4. munchie11 says:

    I’ve got Christina on my list too!! I put Finnick in mine because I adore him. I always forget how much I liked Johanna, she really is incredible!!

  5. Ooo, I especially like the picks of M and Isabelle. πŸ™‚ I actually don’t remember Joanna from Catching Fire much, so I’m curious about how Jena Malone will interpret her, too–I’m going to see what it’s like to reread the book after the movie. Weird, I guess, but there you go! Nice picks.

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

  6. VeganYANerds says:

    Interesting list, Luce! A lot of these are characters I would not have considered πŸ™‚

  7. readerbuzz says:

    So many great secondary characters!

    Here’s my list of best secondary book characters.

  8. kimberlyfaye says:

    Excellent list! I struggled with this prompt quite a bit, to be honest. There are so many good secondary characters out there, but they often don’t stick with me for years and years.

    My TTT.

  9. Patrick from The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a great choice! He was so friendly and silly in the movie, and he was a great friend. Plus, M from Warm Bodies – LOL! I didn’t even know that this was a book. I will definitely be reading it ASAP.
    Check out my TTT list:
    http://booksavvyblog.blogspot.com/

  10. Kelly says:

    Great list! Patrick almost made my list, but didn’t quite make it there. I’m loving all the purple on your blog! It’s my favorite color. New follower on bloglovin πŸ™‚

    Kelly @ Dandelion Dreams
    My Top Ten: http://loveinspiredream.blogspot.com/2013/08/top-ten-teaser-tuesday-secondary.html

  11. Daphne says:

    whoa, so many great characters that i’m kicking myself for forgetting! PATRICK! I love him, he’s the best. Johanna & Christina are fantastic and often overlooked. great list πŸ™‚

  12. Tiffany says:

    Isaac is on my list too and Patrick should have been!

  13. Candice says:

    Oh wow!!!! Sooooo many good characters! Patrick = my fave! Loved Ezra Miller’s portrayal of him in the movie. Great list this week!

  14. Great list- Joanna was awesome!

  15. Brittany says:

    Amazing list, Lucy!! I love Johanna Mason. I totally forgot her… Hell, I forgot Cinna too haha.
    Christina was one of my favorites from Divergent as well!
    And Isaac. And Dee. Okay, I just love them all! Haha πŸ™‚

  16. Your entire list! I adore it. Willie is such an incredible character and I wish I’d have thought to include her on my list! And then Christina, Isaac, and Dee are great as well.

  17. Amanda says:

    Surprisingly not a huge fan of Isabelle but she certainly does keep things interesting! Great list!! πŸ™‚

  18. beckireads says:

    Brilliant list, I really enjoyed reading it. You picked some really interesting characters.

  19. I really don’t like Christina but I guess it’s just my preference and it makes her that much more memorable!

  20. Aww, I loved Isaac too.

  21. bookgoonie says:

    I forgot Willie.

    Love your Movie Tie-In shots.

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