It's official; I have failed the Photo A Day Challenge.  It's just when classes do not want to be nice to you, they aren't.  But I do have a few hours before I have to go back to memorizing speeches and studying for tests. So doing this challenge should be as fun as the other one I tried to do.  30 Day Book Challenge from Jude at In Between, this one is about books!

This was the challenge I participated in during the month of September.  I have been away from the computer since the last week in September so I decided to post this one now because I think it may spark some discussion that I'd love to hear.

Who is your favorite book boyfriend or girlfriend?

If you haven't been to my site before, welcome!  For those of you who have may be familiar with the only-post-when-I-feel-like-it feature called Boys in Books are Just Better.  It is the feature where I share what my crush is for that time period.  I really should post it more often but because I fail to post that feature frequently, I have decided to give you a whole list of book boyfriends I would love to have.  This list consists of the boyfriends that I may be showcasing for this feature in the near future (that is why there is no explanation to why they are on the list), so stay tuned.

1. Etienne St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

2. Four/ Tobias from Divergent by Veronica Roth

3. Jem Carstairs from Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

4. Will Herondale from Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

5. Stefan Salvatore from Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

6. Damon Salvatore from Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

7. Dimitri Belikov from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

8. Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

9. Lend from Paranormalcy by Kiersten White 

10. Shane Collins from Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

11. Haden Black from Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

12. Varen Nethers from Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

13. Lucius Vladescu from Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

14. Michael Weaver from Hourglass by Myra McEntire

15. Jace Wayland from City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Who is your book boyfriend?  What is your ideal date that you would have with them?

This feature is originally called Boys in Books are Just Better, but I have decided that writing that in the title section of the post is sort of a mouthful so I'm shortening the title, but leaving the feature name.  This feature is where I get to tell you all about the fictional boy I am currently gushing about.  My current crush is Tobias (Four) from Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth.

If you've read Divergent, you definitely know what I am talking about when I say that Four is someone to gush about.  For those of you who have not read Divergent yet, please go out and read the book because it will knock your socks off; it will rock your world.

Tobias is simply awesome and here's why:

He's a fighter:  Four is introduced to us as part of the Dauntless faction, a part of the society where the main personality trait is fearlessness.  Most of the people in the faction jump off trains to get places and fight to the death for fun (well, maybe not the last part but it seems like it).  Tobias is helping out with the training for the new Dauntless members.  He has, not only, awesome skill and, I'm sure, looks great in fighting gear, but also has the type of patience that I am jealous of.  There is a scene in Divergent, where he is throwing knives and just the thought of his gracefulness with the blades are sexy.

Four is vulnerable and extremely relatable:  There is something attractive about making the character feel alive to the reader.  Veronica Roth did that exactly.  Tobias is named Four for a reason.  His name is a huge sign of his vulnerability, of how much fear he has.  Not only in his name, but when playing a heated game of Capture the Flag, Four shows Tris that he is afraid of heights.  Such a fear is very common, but being able to admit it takes guts.  This is why he is such a relatable character.  Tobias has family issues, but that doesn't stop him from standing up for himself, not only in the Fear Landscape but also in reality.  When people are vulnerable, the supporting role could feel pity for the character, but in the case of Four, we know that Tobias is a strong character.  Tobias has flaws and not being a perfect guy makes him sound that much more real.
  
He is sort of a geek:  This guy has a way with computers.  It is just an adorable quality of his that makes me want to swoon.  Plus, being originally from the Abnegation faction, Four is respectable.  Sure, he may be a jerk (when his mind is taken over by a computer system telling him that all his friends are really enemies or when he listens to his mother over his own girlfriend), but the boy is totally swoon-worthy.    

If his fantastic qualities does not make you want to swoon, then you need to hear him for yourself.  Here are some adorable quotes from, both, Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth:

"For the first time, he looks as young as he is, and I wonder who he really is.  Who is he when he isn't Dauntless, isn't an instructor, isn't Four, isn't anything in particular?

Whoever he is, I like him." 

-Divergent by Veronica Roth, p. 288

"When he touches me, I feel like everywhere his skin meets mine is changed by the connection.  It sends a thrill through my stomach.  Not just fear.  Something else, too.  A wanting."

-Divergent by Veronica Roth, p. 404

"'You were right,' Tobias says quietly, balancing on the balls of his feet.  he smiles a little.  'I do know who you are.  I just needed to be reminded.'"

-Insurgent by Veronica Roth. p. 521

Boys are just better in books.  Well, at least Four is definitely better than any boy I have ever met in real life. Tobias is just awesome and maybe he doesn't make for a fantastic boyfriend, but he definitely fun to talk about.  Did you like Four/ Tobias?  Are you swooning over him now?

Boys, I don't mean to offend you, but this whole post is going to be about you. Well, boys, you may have a bit more competition than you realized—have you ever considered that fictional guys are trying to win the affections of the same girl you are? Oh, yes, because it's no lie that boys in books are better. Fiction is always better than reality, am I right? I have never met a guy as hot as Edward Cullen or as cute as Peeta. Guys in our world are no match to the boys in book-land. Especially, when it comes to someone like Étienne St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss.

That's right, get ready to pucker up for a French kiss with the hottest boy in the world book. Étienne St. Clair. Total Parisian. Born in America. Great hair. Adorable smile. Gorgeous British accent. Need I say more?

The boy should have his own fan club. After reading Anna and the French Kiss, I really think I should start one. (Étienne’s fan club: party of two—Nora and I.)

He’s a perfect gentleman. Well, as gentleman-like as guys get. If you’re being bullied he would stand up for you in a heartbeat. When Anna was being bullied by Mickey Mouse sweatshirt-man, Étienne was ready to fight the guy. Talk about sexy. He will be there for you, even when your Christmas break sucks and you just need someone to talk to—yeah, he’ll still be there.

He would probably give you gifts to show his affection. All the girls at school are in love with him. Though, he doesn’t have to give gifts to me—his presence is enough for me (wow, cheesy, I really have to stop that).

Étienne is super nice, except when it comes to family matters. His dad ruins everything, but that’s a completely other story. When his mom is in some health trouble (I’m trying not to give too much away), he acts like a lost puppy. Isn’t it every girl’s dream to find a lost puppy and keep it for their own? Even when he’s “pissed” (that’s drunk in British terms—Anna has taught me well), he’s still adorable because Étienne professes his undying love for a girl he’s just met a few weeks ago. As much as the whole professing part did not happen in the circumstances I was waiting for (my circumstances consisted of the Eiffel Tower, a midnight dinner, a violinist, and Étienne down on one knee), I was still so happy that I wasn’t even pissed (not drunk) that his girlfriend shows up two seconds later.

He is, also, afraid of heights, which may seem like a sign of weakness, but is very adorable to me (especially when I’m deathly afraid of heights, myself).

St. Clair would go to the ends of the Earth for his friends and that’s mostly what makes him so likeable. Anna is his best friend in the world and even though I am a bit jealous of her, I love St. Clair’s devotion and affection. I would love to hear more about him, but, sadly, there is no sequel to his story. (If you’d like to check out the companion novel that Stephanie Perkins is whipping up next go HERE.)

Everything about St. Clair made me giggle like a ten year old, but here are some quotes that were just so awesome:

“I study him. He bites his left pinkie nail, so his book must be good. Pinkie means excited or happy, thumb means thinking or worried. I’m surprised I know the meaning of these gestures. How closely have I been paying attention to him?”

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, p. 254

“‘…You’ll be so busy with Bridge and what’s-his-name that you’ll forget all about your English mate, St. Clair.’

‘Ha! So you are English!’ I poke him in the stomach.

He grabs my hand and we wrestle, laughing, ‘I claim… no… nationality.’”

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, p. 214

“The first thing I notice is his hair—it’s the first thing I notice about everyone. It’s dark brown and messy and somehow both long and short at the same time. I think of the Beatles, since I’ve just seen them in Meredith’s room. It’s artist hair. Musician hair. I-pretend-I-don’t-care-but-I-really-do hair.

Beautiful hair.”

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, p. 15

So, did St. Clair win you over with his gorgeous looks and drop-dead French kiss? Have you read Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins yet? If you haven’t, you can read my review HERE.

Sorry, to the boys, this post is talking about BOYS.  That's right boys.  I was feeling kind of depressed today, it probably has something to do with Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (but I'll have more to say in my review, coming soon).  I needed to blog- blogging makes me happy.  And what better subject to talk about than boys, right?  Don't laugh, I'm not really serious.
It's not a hidden fact or anything (and I think that's why most fan "teams" are made... such as Team Peeta or Team Edward) boys are just better in books.  I'm not trying to be mean to every boy in the world out there, you guys are still great, but you just might have a little more competition than you realized.  Your competition is with fictional guys, that's right, guys that are imaginary, like these (to name a few):

• William Herondale

• Jem Carstairs

"'I see you're determined to miss my point."

"If your point is that there was a pretty girl in the room and it was distracting you, then I think I've taken your point handily."

"You think she's pretty?"  Will was surprised; Jem rarely opined on this sort of thing.

"Yes, and you do too."

"I hadn't noticed, really."

"Yes, you have, and I've noticed you noticing." Jem was smiling."

-Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, pg. 271