Booking Through Thursday

If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite reasons to read is for the story. Not for the character development and interaction. Not because of the descriptive, emotive powers of the writer. Not because of deep, literary meaning hidden beneath layers of metaphor. (Even though those are all good things.) No … it’s because you want to know what happens next?

Or, um, is it just me?

Well actually I think it's the story, of what's hinted at of the story on the back of the book that pulls me in but the characters that make it a favorite. You can't really tell much about a characters personality from reading a quick summary but you can tell what the story is going to explore. I've come to know what sort of stories I like and which to put back on the shelf right away (maybe i need to break out of my shell? or maybe not!) I definitely think in the end that characters make a book or movie for me. A character could be doing something totally fascinating but if they are as boring as a rock then I don't really care what they are doing. I much rather read about a really interesting person doing next to nothing. Now when we get a good character and a good story that's golden!

I actually really like character studies in movies. So much so I'd like to share three clips from three of my favorite movies that, you guessed it, feature awesome characters!!!



Here we have a great clip from my favorite movie of all time the Royal Tenenbaums. Not only are there several very interesting characters, there is a complex story, beautiful art direction, and great music!



Another favorite Amelie! Sorry there are no subtitles. Basically he asks her, "Is this you" and she says no, even thought it is her. Shy Amelie!



Ghost world is full of great and hilarious characters!

Actually my favorite tv shows also feature characters I love: Felicity, Veronica Mars, Arrested Development, Gilmore Girls etc. It's settled, I'm a character person!

What is your favorite character study in a book or movie or tv?