This is where I share some totally pointless things!
I know I was supposed to do a Five Things That Really Annoy Me post today, but since it’s #ContempConvos month, I decided to do something contemporary-related instead!
Here are five things that, if present in a YA contemporary book, will make me be able to relate more with the characters:
1. The main character’s a bookworm!
Because DUH. I find it easier to get into these kinds of characters’ thoughts, since I know that we probably share a lot of similar opinions. It also makes it easier for me to cheer this character on, because I believe that if the character can do it, so can I. ;)
Example: I just finished He’s With Me, and the main character named her dogs after book characters!
2. The main character has a *big* family.
Okay, I only have one sibling, but I’m really close to my many, many cousins in the father’s side. When we all get together, it gets really loud and exciting. Which is why if the main character has a big and loud family–girl/dude, I know how you feel!
Example: Charlie from On the Fence has three older brothers and one very supportive dad.
3. The main character’s sarcastic and/or sassy. And likes Oreos.
If you don’t know that I’m sarcastic and sassy, you should meet me in real life. ;) And if you don’t like Oreos, then you might consider moving to a different planet, because we’re not going to be friends.
Example: Basically, I just described the fabulous Simon from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.
4. The main character’s dependent.
I’m the most NOT independent person I know. (Honestly? I’m actually kind of scared to get into college in a few years, because NO DORMS PLEASE.) I love those badass and independent MCs as much as the next person, but I’d have to say I can relate more with the dependet ones.
Example: Lily Calloway from Addicted to You is my twin in this.
5. The main character tries to hide their problems.
I think we’ve all done this at least once, yeah? Personally, I try to keep my problems hidden and just go around being preppy on the outside. Sometimes I just want to get them out of the way, but sometimes I’d rather just not burden other people with them.
Example: Chloe from Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless hid her diabetes from her co-workers.
Thoughts? Can you relate to these sorts of MCs, too?
…
About Aimee
Aimee loves being a little bookworm (okay–she doesn’t like being little). She also loves chocolates and sweets but is freaked out by the thought of possibly getting diabetes.
I Adork You 
I relate a lot more to those kind of people, too. I’m such a secretive and elusive person. To be honest, I don’t even show my true self to my friends and family and I bottle a lot of things inside me (I get pretty dark thoughts sometimes haha). I read an MC who had the same predicament as I had and it kinda hurt reading it because it felt like I was reading a ME @_@ In any case, let’s talk about something else… hahaha. I also relate to someone who likes video games :P I MEAN WHERE ARE THE GAMER HEROINES?!?!!?
Faye at The Social Potato
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Me too! Well, actually, my friends and family know that I can be pretty weird and moody, but my problems don’t get to them. >_<
Gamers, you say? Definitely try The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak. ;) Zak's a guy, but gamer main character! :D
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OooOOOO Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda arrived in the mail today, so I’m super pumped to read it. Ask Again Later is also on the TBR :)
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I’M ALMOST 100% SURE YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE IT, EM! :D Ask Again Later’s a super cute novel, too! ^_^
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I actually get really annoyed when a character tries to hide their problems, even though we all do it. I don’t know what it is, I just get really frustrated and go “TELL YOUR FRIEND ALREADY”. But that’s just me. I also really like it when the main character loves to read. And Oreos. You can never go wrong with Oreos.
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Simon is seriously my fictional character soulmate. (We share the same passion for Oreos and love for Elliott Smith! <3) Loved him so very much! I also really adore books with big families because like you, I'm close to my cousins. I just love bookish MCs which is why I utterly can't wait for Isabel Bandeira's Bookishly Ever After! :D
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Ooh I love when the main character is a book worm :)
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SIMON <3
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I like it ANYTIME a character is a slight bookworm, whether it’s a contemporary story or not! Though I do wonder if sometimes that’s like… cheating. The author already knows we like books because we’re reading them, so they might just sneak book lovers in there just to get us excited, who knows? :P
The only one I really am unsure about is Oreos. I’m actually a little saddened that liking Oreos is a prerequisite for being your friend, haha. It’s not that I DON’T like them, I just find them… okay? I always just go for chocolate chip cookies over Oreos. Whoops.
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We’re the same except for #4! I know it can be really scary when you’re young and entering college, but think of it as something fun and enlightening!
And Oreos. Who doesn’t love Oreos?!
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I wouldn’t worry about independence and the dorms. I was worried about that too (I can’t even cook pasta without something going wrong. Honestly) but it’s really not bad because you’re eating most of your meals in the dining hall or microwaving them in your room. I’d never actually done laundry before college but it’s not hard at all (just really annoying and time consuming and expensive…especially if only two of your four dryers ACTUALLY DRY ANYTHING LIKE AT MY WORTHLESS SCHOOL). The worst part about the dorm is probably just all the people you’re going to get annoyed with, haha. I definitely considered myself incredibly dependent but I’ve been managing fine. I do agree that those are some good characters to read about – I don’t think there’s nearly enough of them.
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Big family for SURE. I’m Greek, Italian and German so my family is . . . huge. Huge x 1000. Characters who are only children etc. I just can’t imagine that!
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*high five for sarcasm* If you didn’t already know, I too, am a bit sarcastic at times so I love a character that has a quick, sharp wit:) I often dream of saying some of the witty one-liners characters come out with because being able to throw those out there at the perfect moment often escapes me. I’m definitely that person that thinks of the best comeback in the history of the world 15 minutes too late:)
And don’t fear the dorms Aimee! They’re not so bad. I’m hugely shy when I’m meeting people for the first time, and the dorms forced me to get over that a bit which was a good thing. I don’t miss the communal bathrooms at all, but being surrounded by people was nice:)
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I have to agree with the points you’ve made Aimee, I have the biggest family ever, just this weekend we got together with my cousins and had so much fun! Also we definitely need more books where the main character is a bookworm, I’ve come across quite a few lately and loved them! Fab post! :)
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I rarely specifically look for characters that resemble my personality. But I guess it makes them more relatable if they share some traits with the readers. Yes, sarcasm, I love those! <3
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This is a great idea for a post! (Oh, why didn’t I think of it?). I can definitely relate to some of the characters in contemporary novels. Especially the big family one. My close family may not be that big but when there is a family gathering with aunts and uncles..Whoooweeee.
~Kaitlin @ Next Page Please!
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I completely agree with all of these Aimee. Whenever you’re able to find a character that totally clicks with you or reminds you of yourself, it just makes the book that much better, you know? :) Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post! <3
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I can definitely relate to #1 (I mean, can’t we all? WE ARE BOOK BLOGGERS, AFTER ALL), and #5. I can somewhat relate to some others, except for #2 – my family is tiny, haha XD
I also love it when I can identify with things that a character has been through, if that makes sense. Even if I can’t relate to something HUGE in their story or personality, even if there’s one thing or one event that is similar to something I have been through, then I have huge empathy towards them (and usually end up loving them). ;D
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First and foremost — who doesn’t LOVE Oreo’s???? They are the best cookie EVER!!!
And I love when the heroine is a bookworm, and/or a nurse, and/or loves dogs. It’s like I have an instant kinship with them. You may have read the LUX series by J. Armentrout where the heroine is a book blogger. I thought that was such a cute touch, and of course I could totally relate ;)
Great Post!
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It’s Contemporary Conversations month? Ha ha, sometimes I am so unaware! Oreos, YES PLEASE! Do you like all the flavors, or just the classic Oreos? I like the vanilla and a couple of the seasonal flavors as well as the classic. I do not, however, like Double Stuff. I love dunking them in coffee. I still don’t get you and the preppie thing. Lol. I will have to met you in real life so I can see it for myself. :)
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Welp, now I’m dying to read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda! LOL! Great post!
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Another great post Aimee .< I'm also independent in the way I love to have the freedom to just take my car and drive anywhere on my own and do whatever. However, I'm dependent in the way of my friends. I hate being lonely and love experiencing things with others rather than just on my own. I'm dependent on my friends in also making sure I'm not overthinking things.
Yeah, I'm totally with you on #5. I usually end up overthinking everything and keep my thoughts to myself. It takes a lot for me to really open up to somebody, and the fact I've been burned doesn't help the process.
Again, great post. I loved it (if you can't tell from my massive comment) (:
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LOL my post was so long it didn’t totally post [;
Another great post Aimee <33 Stop being so creative and killing it with these fantastic lists okay [;
Lol for #1 I actually disagree :o Shocking, I know. I mean yes, in theory it should work well. A book blogger reading about a book blogger= magic. However, I've never read it before in a way that has felt organic. In my experience, I've found it to come off almost as pandering and contrived. I'll have to try to find some good books who use this technique, I'd love to see a book blogger as a character in a well done way (:
I don't relate to number #2 either. Haha, my family is made up of 5 people and we're all very tight knit. I'm not really close to my outside immediate family. However, in stories I love when a big family is highlighted. I feel like this allows for some great familial relationships to be highlighted and it can usually put a huge smile on my face. On the Fence is a great example, I loved reading about Charlie's brothers (…almost more than Charlie oops~)
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Now #3 i can relate too [; I’m just that person who has to have some dry comment for everything. AND YASSSS OMFG SIMON IS PERFECT. Loved Simon vs. the Homo Sapien’s Agenda. An easy 5 stars from me (: Such a great story, and Simon is such an wonderfully crafted character.
#4??? I can sorta kinda relate. I think in terms of work ethic I’m most definitely independent, I love to do my own thing and despise having to depend on others, like say in a group project >.< I'm also independent in the way I love to have the freedom to just take my car and drive anywhere on my own and do whatever. However, I'm dependent in the way of my friends. I hate being lonely and love experiencing things with others rather than just on my own. I'm dependent on my friends in also making sure I'm not overthinking things.
Yeah, I'm totally with you on #5. I usually end up overthinking everything and keep my thoughts to myself. It takes a lot for me to really open up to somebody, and the fact I've been burned doesn't help the process.
Again, great post. I loved it (if you can't tell from my massive comment) (:
(sorry for this comment haha, it wouldn't post)
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I, sort of, can relate to some of these. Especially the first one. Meeting a main character that loves book and even shares her feels while the story goes on is amazing. I recently read Beauty and the Mustache and it has a MC that is a bookworm. She even described the male MC as “fictionally handsome” which made me really laugh. I mean, how often do we meet MCs that talks about a book they’ve read right?
And please, Oreos? Who doesn’t love them?
Since I usually read NA and Adult contemporary I’m not really sure if I can relate with being dependent. Although looking back the thought of college really terrified me because I had to live in a condo. I know living alone sounds freaky and intimidating but I swear, it’s fun. Most of my best memories in college happened while living alone. You’ll learn more about yourself and know more about your limitations. :)
Great post Aimee! :D
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It’s strange, because it’s not too often that you see a bookworm character in a book. Especially not one that reads YA novels haha. Definitely cool when you encounter it though!
YES NUMBER THREE. Love Simon!
haha 4: I am so not independent at all. If I had to live by myself, I’d probably starve within the week. But I definitely admire it in others!
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Oooh, great list! Agree on all, even #4. I’d like to say that I love independent characters and I’d like to think that I am independent but I know I haven’t always been this way. It feels good to be able to relate to a character who has the same fears and anxieties.
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I totally agree with you on relating to characters that are sarcastic and sassy! It makes the book so much more fun too! Bookworms are so awesome in books, I wish there were more characters with this trait.
Awesome list!
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I totally relate a lot with characters from books. Especially the ones that are kind of shy, and don’t talk much to other people. I am that sort of person, lol. But seriously, WHO DOESN’T LIKE OREOS? That’s crazy talk.
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Yes, I can relate to quite a few of these. Of course, #1. And then #4, even though I wish I was different and the opposite! And yes to oreos, what kind of monster doesn’t like oreos!? I don’t know if I hide my problems. I guess, to an extent, I do. I didn’t used to, I don’t think, but lately, I do. Definitely. This is such a fun post!
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I definitely love it when the characters are bookworms, because, yeah, that’s what I am, too :) And big, noisy and boisterous families are awesome! I only have one sister, and we grew up with each other, and two cousins who are older than both of us. However, I have four children, so we’re a big, noisy bunch for sure :) Teasing, inside jokes galore, and lots of laughing.
I’m quite independent, and I’ve always been that way, but it’s still not difficult for me to relate to characters who aren’t. If they are well written, and I can understand them, I can relate to them :)
Have a terrific Thursday, Aimee!
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This is such a fantastic post Aimee, it makes me wish I had a big family while growing up. Our family moved away from my extended family when I was young, but I have 2 brothers and a sister.
“I think we’ve all done this at least once, yeah? Personally, I try to keep my problems hidden and just go around being preppy on the outside. Sometimes I just want to get them out of the way, but sometimes I’d rather just not burden other people with them.”
This reminds me so much of myself when I was younger. I always had an angsty side to myself, and hiding them away just made it hurt more. These days I surround myself with people who can handle the real me, good or bad :)
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Keep my problems hidden? Girl, I keep my problems buried. I treat them like they don’t exist and hope everything turns out for the best, and I don’t try to get anyone’s help. It’s not the best behavior at all. >.>
And come on, we all love it when the main character loves books.
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To be completely honest, I really don’t relate to many contemporary characters at all. Aside from the sassiness and satire, I pretty much read contemporary to experience something new. And because they’re often super adorable! This was such a great post idea though. Loved it Aimee!
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