5 Fictional Bookworms We Want in Our Next Book Club

Hermione Granger (Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling)
Who wouldn’t follow this wild-haired, whip-smart half-muggle to the ends of the literary earth to talk books? She has full access to the Hogwarts library, the envy of any rare book collector, and she leaves no question unanswered, no analysis half-done. With this tireless scholar at the helm, we might, someday, stumble upon the whereabouts of Godot.

Klaus Baudelaire (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events)
This avid reader and pint-sized intellectual can survive even the most evil of plots. Klaus’ eidetic memory is especially helpful for those moments when you’re trying to recall a specific passage or turn of phrase. And his ability to speak multiple languages will come in handy when the month’s pick is a rare translated gem.

Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery)
When the literary discussion gets too heady, it’s time to turn to this hopeless dreamer, whose spunk and imagination can win over even the coldest hearts. Anne Shirley operates on instinct and gut; the kind of reader who reminds us that stories are meant to be felt. This bosom friend is all about soul, and what is more intimate and powerful than sharing the love of a favorite book?

Matilda Wormwood (Matilda, by Roald Dahl)
Yes, we’ll admit, the telekinetics can be a bit jarring, at times. But when Matilda is properly stimulated, there’s no matching her intelligence and wit. She’ll keep everyone on their toes with her tricks and pranks, then go head to head debating the finer points of any and every book ever written.

Grace (Amazing Grace, by Mary Hoffman)
This girl loves stories, plain and simple. Her imagination rivals Anne’s, but she also has a knack for adopting any character role that strikes her fancy. She takes fan fiction to another level. With Grace in your book club, you never know who’ll show up to the next meeting. A pirate! Joan of Arc! Peter Pan! And Grace has this beautiful habit of reminding us, again and again, that, through the pages of a book, you can be anyone or anything you want to be.
What brilliant, witty, well-read fictional characters do you want in your book club?