Happy Sunday Bibliofriends,

We’re continuing the Characters Ahoy theme this week in Six For Sunday and this week is all about Role Models. This was probably the hardest category of all four prompts this month to write for.

Role Models are so personal to each person based on what motivates them so the characters here are all on this list because they have a quality which I deemed admirable. I’ll explain more for each individual character below.

For those who don’t already know, Six for Sunday is weekly meme hosted by Steph over at A Little But A Lot. Steph also hosts a Twitter chat for Six For Sunday each Sunday evening around 6pm but I never seem to make it as I’m always busy at that time! Maybe this month…?! 🤔

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Role Models

Samwise Gamgee – Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Role Model Qualities: Friendship and Loyalty
Sam was the first person who came to mind when I thought of a fictional role-model. The way he cares for Frodo and sticks by him through the good times and the bad inspire me to want to be the kind of Samwise friend to all of my own friends.

Kady Grant – The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristof
Role Model Qualities: Determination and Justice
Kady’s relentless attitude and ‘never-give-up’ motivation is what gave her a place on my role models list. I love the way that she isn’t afraid to fight for what she believes in and pursues that goal right up until the very end. In today’s world of campaigns and activism for a better, more equal future for every single person on this planet regardless of race, wealth or gender, I think Kady’s character is a great role model for standing up for what is right.

Nastya – Romanov by Nadine Brandes
Role Model Qualities: Love and Resilience
Nastya’s character in Romanov was so powerful that tears were rolling down my cheeks by the final page. She is on my role models list purely because of her massive capacity for love and resilience. Brandes did a truly wonderful job of writing this character and making her come to life on the page.

Lou – Me Before You Series by Jojo Moyes
Role Model Qualities: Caring and Selflessness
Moving away from the SFF genres, Lou is the type of character that exists in our real-world lives everyday. Somewhere out there is a Lou right now, putting their own needs aside to try and better the life of someone who isn’t as lucky as the rest of us – even if it breaks their heart a little more every day. To be that caring and selfless to put another’s needs entirely before your own… what greater role model is there than that?

Yrene Towers – Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas
Role Model Qualities: Devotion and Inner Strength
I know some people didn’t like the Tower of Dawn element of the Throne of Glass series but I absolutely loved it. Yrene Towers is one of those peripheral characters who ends up making a monumental contribution. Her devotion to her partner (spoiler removed!) and the inner strength she shows throughout her time as a healer but also in her commitment to helping out with ‘the cause’ makes me think she’s a brilliant role model and definitely someone you’d want on your team.

Lia Mara – A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer
Role Model Qualities: Integrity and Courage
Lia Mara’s character was a really welcome surprise for me in the second part of the Cursebreakers series. I wasn’t expecting to like her as much as I did considering she was an entirely new character. The way Lia Mara fought for what she truly believed in, regardless of who she was up against showed true integrity and courage, making her a character you come to admire and trust.

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Six role models – all inspiring for various different qualities and traits.

Do you have any real-world or fictional role models? Who would have made your list?
As always, leave your links below or drop me a comment to chat!

T xx