Book meme: Day 23!

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Day 23 - Most annoying character ever

Wow, this is hard. I would probably have to say Holden Caulfield... or Sal Paradise. Like I've said, I can recognize the historical importance of books like The Catcher in the Rye and On the Road -- but I don't think they're amazing now, and their narrators are so irritating, so ridiculous, so self-obsessed...

I read both books when I was a kid (maybe I was twelve or thirteen) on the recommendation of adults in my life, and (I know I've said this before!) it took me a long time before I could trust those adults again. Did they really think I would like those characters? Did they think I was like those characters? Did they think I would learn something from those books, or find something of my life in them?

(They should have given me Ginsberg if they wanted me to find something of my life in writings from what, to me, at twelve, was "a long time ago" -- now, Ginsberg I could relate to! But I didn't read him until I was fourteen and "Howl" was referenced in a pop song I liked.)

Anyway, those characters. Yes. Most annoying!

How about you guys? Don't let your energy flag -- this is the home stretch, and talking about books is awesome! What character do you find the most annoying of all time?



Other days of the book meme:

Day 01 - A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just freaking end already (or both!)
Day 02 - A book or series you wish more people were reading and talking about
Day 03 - The best book you've read in the last 12 months
Day 04 - Your favorite book or series ever
Day 05 - A book or series you hate
Day 06 - Favorite book of your favorite series OR your favorite book of all time
Day 07 - Least favorite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise
Day 08 - A book everyone should read at least once
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A book that disappointed you
Day 12 - A book or series of books you’ve read more than five times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood book OR current favorite YA book (or both!)
Day 14 - Favorite character in a book (of any sex or gender)
Day 15 - Your "comfort" book
Day 16 - Favorite poem or collection of poetry
Day 17 - Favorite story or collection of stories (short stories, novellas, novelettes, etc.)
Day 18 - Favorite beginning scene in a book
Day 19 - Favorite book cover (bonus points for posting an image!)
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite romantic/sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 22 - Favorite non-sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 23 - Most annoying character ever
Day 24 - Best quote from a novel
Day 25 - Any five books from your "to be read" stack
Day 26 - OMG WTF? OR most irritating/awful/annoying book ending
Day 27 - If a book contains ______, you will always read it (and a book or books that contain it)!
Day 28 - First favorite book or series obsession
Day 29 - Saddest character death OR best/most satisfying character death (or both!)
Day 30 - What book are you reading right now?