For A to Z 2018, my theme is Books About ____. If you’re stopping by from your own A to Z blog, feel free to leave a link. If you need help with how to do that, you can look here.
If you’re someone looking to read a lot of great blogs, here’s the link for the A to Z challenge.
I love quirky characters, especially when they feel authentic, not like the author was trying to insert a bunch of quirks just to distinguish Character A from Character B.
The Martian, by Andy Weir (science fiction): Mark Watney is probably one of my all-time favorite characters. When he gets stranded on Mars, he doesn’t let anything get him down for long. He deals with each challenge as they come, cursing a little and keeping his sense of humor. The book does a better job of showing this character’s personality than the movie does (of course), but the movie is still worth watching.
Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs (YA): Full disclosure: I liked the first one better than the second two. If I had to do it all over again, I’d probably stop after the first. But anyway, the first book did something unique in using old photographs and building a book (and characters) around them. Because the children are all peculiar, they’ve developed some quirks which makes them fun to read about.
John Dies At the End by David Wong (?): I’m honestly not sure how to classify this book… maybe science fiction or fantasy? It’s weird though. The movie didn’t do a good job of capturing the awesomeness of the book, but I’m not sure any movie could. David Wong (the narrator of the book) was involved in a huge conspiracy after taking a drug called soy sauce. Weird things happen to him and his friend John, and the way they react to the events is strange and fun. The sequel was as good as the original. If you read it, be warned: some of it probably won’t make sense. And that’s okay.
What are your favorite books about quirky characters?
Doree Weller 
The Martian is on my TBR list because I needed a book about another planet. I saw the movie Miss Peregrine’s Home and it was pretty good so maybe I’ll read that one too. Thanks for suggesting to stop after the first!
I haven’t seen the movie of Miss Peregrine yet as I heard mixed things about it, but I’ll probably watch it at some point on Netflix. The Martian is fantastic! I’m sure you’ll love it.
I never read The Martian but recently saw the movie, and thought it was very well done.
I love reading your A to Z posts and learning about books. Now I have to add The Martian to my TBR pile. Thanks.
I have the same problem with reading book blogs. It makes my TBR endless! The Martian is great though.
I read Miss Peregrine’s Home… a couple of years ago – I think those strange pictures of Victorian children sucked me in. Interesting to see someone create a story to go with the characters rather than vice versa – I haven’t bothered watching the movie though.
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
S for Stop Procrastinating
Using the pictures with the book was such a creative idea, and the first one was the best.