It’s Tuesday again, and that means another Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl). NaNoWriMo has been keeping me busy, and I’m writing this a lot closer to the deadline than I would like, but I’ve got my 50k in (now I just have to finish writing the book). Today’s topic is Platonic Relationships in Books. In most books, the main ship is what makes or breaks the book for me, but there are a lot of books with platonic relationships as well. Some books do an amazing job with both types of relationships. These are the books that came to mind.
Caraval – When I first thought of this topic, the first book that came to my mind was Caraval. Even though they both find love in these books, Scarlett and Tella’s sisterly relationship is really at the heart of these books. Stephanie Garber does a great job depicting how they care for each other.
Little House on the Prairie – Another book that came to mind when thinking about platonic relationships was Little House on the Prairie. Almost the entire series features platonic relationships. The early books mostly focus on Laura’s relationship with her parents and sisters; it isn’t until the very last of the series that we see Laura’s relationship with Almanzo develop.
Fangirl – A lot of Fangirl focuses on Cath’s relationship to her twin sister, Ren. Although there is a love interest in this book, it isn’t the only focus, and is certainly not the most dramatic relationship in the book either.
Fawkes – Fawkes is another book with a bit of romance in it, but it’s not the only relationship of note in this book. Much of this book focuses on Thomas’s relationship with his father, the notorious Guy Fawkes. We all want our parents to be proud of us (well, most of us do) so it’s a relationship that we can relate to.
Strange the Dreamer – While a lot of Strange focuses on Lazlo’s relationship with Sarai, there are a lot of other relationships highlighted in this book. Lazlo and Sarai don’t even meet until well into the book, after all. Lazlo has relationships (some good and some not-so-good) with the people around him, and Sarai has relationships with the other blue gods that she’s stuck with. Without all of these supporting characters, this book would certainly be lacking.
The Mortal Instruments – This series wouldn’t be the same without Clary and Simon’s friendship. It goes through a lot of testing in this six-book series, and I love them for it. While a lot of this book focuses on Clary and Jace, without Simon, this book would be lacking. In fact, this series contains several great friendships. Without them, this series definitely wouldn’t be the same.
Red Queen – Mare in Red Queen is close to her family members. Even though we see a lot of the evil Maven and want to know what is going on with her and Cal, these aren’t the only relationships of note in the book. Mare is close to her best friend Kilorn and her siblings, and develops friendships with other characters throughout the series.
Chronicles of Narnia – The Chronicles of Narnia is full of platonic relationships. The Pevensie siblings have the most important platonic relationships in the series, but there are definitely others to look for.
Lord of the Rings – I think the most important platonic relationship in the Lord of the Rings series is that between Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee. Good old Sam is always at his side supporting him. There are other great friendships in this series as well.
Carve the Mark – When I think of Carve the Mark, I admit, I do think of Akos and Cyra; however, they’re not the only great relationship in this book. Akos cares a great deal for his brother, as well as his childhood friends. The supporting relationships help drive the story and make this a much more interesting book.
What do you think? What are your favorite platonic relationships in books? I still have a lot to write in my NaNoWriMo novel, but at least I hit my 50k goal and can spend more time reading what you have to say.
Next week: Cozy, Wintry Reads. Brrr! It’s so cold outside, and the roads can sometimes be hazardous! I actually spun my car around while driving home from work Saturday night (and I was only going about 20 mph; good thing nobody else was around). I’d rather stay home if at all possible. Next week we focus on some books to read while avoiding the cold and hazardous road conditions!
The Mortal Instruments books (and the rest of the Shadowhunters series, too) are full of great platonic relationships! Simon and Clary’s is one, plus I also love Jace and Alec’s parabatai bond! Also just the whole Blackthorn family in The Dark Artifices.
Niamh @ nuggets of niamh recently posted…platonic relationships in books
I’m looking forward to reading TDA! The only book between me and reading the rest of TID and TDA is Clockwork Princess and… look! It’s at the East Library today! Guess I’m going to drive to the library this morning, LOL. I bought Lady Midnight, pre-ordered QOAAD, and just got Lord of Shadows at the library yesterday, so I guess I’ll be ready to go as soon as I can get myself to get into the car…
Ahh I’m so excited for you! I think Clockwork Princess is the best book in TID and the whole TDA series (so far) is even better, in my opinion! So you’re in for such a treat! Enjoy! 🙂
Niamh @ nuggets of niamh recently posted…where did november go? // #amcurrently
So far it’s excellent (reading Lady Midnight now). I’m so glad I read the end of Clockwork Princess at home… I was tearing up for the last few chapters, and it wasn’t pretty.
Fangirl and Little House- good ones! And Narnia too- so true. also, yes to Frodo and Sam. 🙂
Greg recently posted…Top Ten Platonic Relationships
A couple other people mentioned Cath and Reagan in Fangirl. That was a pretty good friendship too.
I need to work on making my friendships stronger in my book TBoS. It would make it a better book , I think.
Caraval was all about sisterly love, wasn’t it? I have a soft spot for sisterly and brotherly love in books. Good luck with Nanowrimo, btw!
Caraval was the first thing that came to mind when I heard this topic. I had to think hard on the others.
Since I’ve won NaNoWriMo, now the hard part begins. Finishing it, getting it ready for my critique partner and beta readers by the beginning of February, editing it, then maybe it will be ready for querying by June. That’s my goal.
And then it will be time to start getting the sequel ready for NaNoWriMo19 ;-).
I loved Fangirl sooo much! I still have to get my hands on Carry On, hah. 🙂
I’ve been seeing Fawkes around quite a bit lately but I did hear some mixed things about it? The cover is absolutely stunning though, so I might just give in to buying it because of that.
Good luck with these final days of NaNoWriMo!
I haven’t read Carry On yet either. Not really on the top of my list. But I did read a short story in My True Love Gave To Me last night, called Midnights. It was so damn sweet.
Thank you for the NaNoWriMo wishes. I still think this is a book I want to polish and publish, so the end of this month is not the end of working on this book.
Again, congrats on your Nanowrimo win Brooke… 🙂 🙂 I’m still trying to win mine. hehe
And in your list, i’ve only read LoTR, Narnia and TMI and I agree… They have the best platonic relationships in books. and God, why did I forget Sam and Frodo again…As you know I listed amazing friendships in books. Sam and Frodo are the best.. or Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn
The whole fellowship was great.
Good luck on finishing NaNo. Even if you don’t “win” you still have more words down than before the month began.
This is a book I think has a lot of potential, so I’m going to keep working on it.
The Ingalls were just a fabulous family. Like Whitney says, I will always love them. Wren and Cath had an interesting relationship in Fangirl, but I really loved the friendship between Cath and Reagen even more.
Reagan was really helpful to Cath.
I did Fangirl on audiobook so if I spell names wrong, you know why ;-).
Would I be a bad bookworm if I said I hadn’t read many of these? Haha. Great list though 🙂
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Cora @ Tea Party Princess recently posted…My Favourite Non-Romantic Relationships In Books
There are just way too many books to have read all of them. Every week it seems there is a list or two where I haven’t read any of the books on it.
Sam and Frodo are seeing a lot of love today, and I think it’s great.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks!
Definitely.
I’m also seeing this week how much friendships can enrich a story.
I’m really looking forward to Caraval! 🙂 Great list!
🙂 Hope you like it! I’m looking forward to Finale! The cover is gorgeous.
Congrats on winning NaNo! I love all the relationships in Fangirl. They are very realistic.
Aj @ Read All The Things! recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Fictional Families & Friends
Thank you!
I think that’s one of the great things about the book. The people do real people things.
Gotta’ love the Ingalls family. So many tight bonds there. I also really want to read Fawkes! Just haven’t made the time. Yet. 🙂
Thanks so much for the Finding Wonderland visit last week. I appreciate it. 🙂
Rissi recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday | Warm and Festive Seasonal Books!
There’s so many books like that… haven’t made the time yet. I probably would still be putting it off if I hadn’t planned on reading it by Guy Fawke’s Day.