Top Ten Books Which Feature Characters Who Are Introverts

A weekly book meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's theme is the Top Ten: Books Which Feature Characters Who Are Introverts

Introverts are awesome. However, introverts don't really lend themselves to being the "hero" so most books feature extroverts going around and kicking butt with an occasional scene featuring their introverted friend/sibling/love interest. With that in mind, I chose to make this week's list the Top Ten Books that feature an introvert as a major character.

01. Horatio Horblower - I basically consider good old Horatio  'King of  the introverts'. He doesn't like to be the center of attention, he is socially awkward, he constantly worries about others opinions, and he prefers thoughtful solitude to wild partying. The whole series of books takes place in his head, but the author also cleverly makes it clear that every other character perceives our hero is a way drastically different from the way he sees himself. He is constantly awkward and embarrassed, but he's such an epic hero that half of the side characters hero-worship him. Introvert wish-fulfillment FTW! 

02. Fangirl - Cath is classic introvert, to the degree that she hides in bathrooms to eat her lunch rather than brave a cafeteria (hey, we've all been there, right?) and out right admits that she prefers people on the internet to people in real life.

03. Sense and Sensibility - Elinore is an old school example of introversion. She's pragmatic and enjoys the quiet life.

04. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Arthur Dent just wants to keep his home from being bulldozed.  That and maybe some tea..

05. Persuasion -Another Jane Austen example! Anne is quiet, kind, and romantic. But she also feels the pull of societal pressures and allows other people to influence her to an unfortunate degree.

06. The Cider House Rules - Poor Homer. He's so introverted that it hurts. It doesn't stop him from being all noble and stuff though. Introverts make good friends.

07. The Perks of Being A Wallflower  - Charlie is so socially awkward and lost in his own head that it goes beyond normal introversion. Just like with Homer, it hurts.

08. The Great Gastby -Nick lives vicariously through other people, observing things he doesn't have the energy or desire to do on his own, but admires/is fascinated with despite that. That's like introversion 101.

09. The Hobbit - Bilbo pushes past his introversion even though he misses the comforts and peace of home and his books. Dwarves are loud, messy, and annoying and travel is uncomfortable.

10. What's Left of Me -Eva, the main character, literally lives inside her own head. It's complicated, but I think it counts as introversion

What is your Top Ten this week?