This week’s Booking Through Thursday question is:
Who is your favorite female lead character? And why? (And yes, of course, you can name more than one . . . I always have trouble narrowing down these things to one name, why should I force you to?)
Hmm…well, thank goodness we’re not limited to one. 
My first choice, as of three months ago, would have been Anita Blake in Laurell K. Hamilton’s series. She is sassy, confident, and up until book five, stuck to her morals. But she’s starting to become rather trashy and amoral, and I hear it only gets worse. So scratch her.
I know Lyra from His Dark Materials is only 13, but she’s pretty awesome. She’s not over-the-top for her age, and I just like her. She’s strong headed but is really just trying to do the right thing. I love her! And I love Serafina Pikkala for being such a good witch, but maybe I just like saying her name. It’s rather lyrical.
I don’t know how many people felt about Rachel from Moloka’i, but I thought she was very real. She wasn’t perfect, but she’s someone I would definitely look to as a role model (if she were real, of course). She did her best. At the end of my life, I hope I can say the same.
I remember loving Jane Eyre, but alas, it’s been so long since I’ve read that book that I really don’t remember much about it anymore.
OH! How could I forget Hermione. I loved that she was always reading and learning. And she could do magic. And I think she’s the cutest thing in the movie.
How about you? Who’s your favorite female lead character? If you answered this on your own blog, leave a link here and I promise I’ll come read it and most likely leave a comment too. 
(I’m going to out myself and say that this is a perfect example of how I’m not very wordy…I’m very concise. I don’t expand a whole lot and I hope you can read between the lines and really *get* what I’m trying to say.)
Choosing was hard for me too! I haven’t heard of some of the ones you mentioned so I guess I should check out your reading list–always looking for more good books to read!!
*smiles*
Kim
Oh, Serafina’s a fun choice!
I agree with Hermoine and Lyra. When I read fantasy novels as a teen, the female characters were always passive observors. It’s nice that there’s been a shift
Interesting- Most of those books I have never heard of
)
Great list, Trish! You’ve some good choices there! And I’m definitely with you on Anita Blake & Hermione!
Happy BTT!
Hi!
Serafina Pekkala has a lyrical name, because it’s in Finnish, which is a very lyrical language =) “Alavilla mailla hallanvaaraa”, like we say (that means “there’s a risk of frost on the low grounds”, but sounds so beautiful it doesn’t really matter what it means).
It was pretty neat to bump into a Finnish name when reading the book, it’s such a rare occurance.
I’m not sure how much I liked Lyra – she’s nice, sure – but Hermione, obviously. I mean who doesn’t like Hermione?
Hermione? I completely forgot her!
hmmm…maybe i’m partial because i’m from jersey too, but i get a kick out of stephanie plum from the janet evanovich series.
Jane Eyre is my fave. You should re-read it!
Funny! My post also started with, “It would have been Anita Blake, but. . .” I’m so glad it wasn’t just me being a prude that turned me off to that series.
Lezlie
I haven’t heard of most of these except Jane Eyre — she was on my list.
Rachel Kalama from Moloka’i– excellent choice and one of my favorites, too.
Oh, definitely, Lyra is a great female character!
Hermoine and Lyra both rock – there are some very strong younger female protagonists out there!
I did wonder about Hermione, but I couldn’t really say she’d changed my life, whereas the women I did choose definitely have.
Jane Eyre would have been a good choice but I went with Pippi. Happy BTT.
I’m with you on Hermoine and on Anita. She was such a great character and yes, unfortunately, it only gets worse.
cjh
Hmmm … I’ve never hear of them.
I played too
Hermoine is cool, though I didn’t put her on my list. I don’t know why she didn’t end up on my list – she just doesn’t have that something to make her one of my favorites, whatever that something is. Lyra and Serafina – they were ok and I remember liking Serefina a bit but they didn’t strike me as awesome. Unfortunately, I haven’t read the other two (though Jane Eyre is on my list).
Stephanie Plum or Scout from To “Kill a Mockingbird.”
Hermoine’s a great choice.
I didn’t connect well enough with His Dark Materials to be able to say one way or another about Lyra. And the others? I haven’t read them!
I’ve got some other picks at my place. And an interesting discussion about strong women in the comments, too.
Hermione almost made my list, but I decided to stop at five. She’s a great character. Rachel was another one I considered listing. She had such an amazing spirit. I haven’t yet read Pullman’s books, but I did meet Lyra in the movie recently and can understand why you’d count her among your favorites.
okay, i am new to this..I didn’t do too well with this question.
I liked the paperback vs. hardback one better…you should check that one out too.
anyway, I enjoyed your blog, it was a nice visit.
http://exlibrisbb.blogspot.com/2008/03/booking-through-thursday-favourite.html