Book Characters You Need as Your Best Friend

Admit it. You've been envious of a book best friend. They're just so perfect. Sure, there may be minor disagreements, but they'll always have your back. And it'll all be roses by the end of the book. Much better than real life.

Let's look at the characters we want to have as a best friend.

The Trio from the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

We're just putting it upfront: we all want to be best friends with the Wizarding World's saviors. Hermione, Harry, or Ron, we'd take any of them. Harry would be first in to defend you against any bully. Ron would make you laugh when things are down. And your homework's done with Hermione around. Just, maybe, don't suggest going camping.

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Sure Darcy's the romantic hero, but he's also a pretty good best friend. He had Bingley's best interests at heart when he convinced him to end the relationship with Jane. And remember how quick Mr. Darcy was to fix that error. He also discretely paid a lot of money to make Lydia's indiscretion right, improving the standing of Bingley's bride-to-be. He also put up with Bingley's harpy sister, Caroline. That alone proves he's best friend-worthy.

Diana Barry from Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

A bosom friend and kindred spirit = a great best friend. Diana wasn't even upset when Anne accidentally got her drunk as a child on currant wine. Even when Anne moved away for school, they remained best friends forever.

Merry and Pippin from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien

Everyone talks about Samwise as the Lord of the Rings best friend, and while his loyalty was true, Pippin and Merry brought the fun. Look at the adventures they got up to in The Two Towers. Even after they returned to the Shire, they often rode around in their chain-mail and Lothlórien cloaks (take that, Lobelia Sackville-Baggins!). With all the seriousness and worry in the world, we need best friends like Merry and Pippin.

George Milton from Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Yes, this is a tragic best friendship, but George is the ultimate best friend. He always took Lennie along on the jobs and convinced foremen to give him work when others would have left him behind. He treated Lennie as an equal and sacrificed his own job security when Lennie messed up. Every. Time. Even when George shoots Lennie, it's saving Lennie from a worse fate. And we're sure George later kept rabbits on his piece of land.

Piglet from Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Winnie-the-Pooh would not have been as adventurous without Piglet at his side. Despite being smaller than most animals, Piglet was there hunting Woozles and on the “Expotition” to the North Pole. He also conquered his fears to save Pooh and Owl when they were trapped in Owl's fallen house. Pooh even wrote "a respectful Pooh song" to thank him for it. We all need a Piglet best friend in our lives.

Who do you want as your book best friend?

Read more by Bianca Smith