Booking Through Thursday: Quirky

This week’s question is suggested by (blogless) JMutford:

Sometimes I find eccentric characters quirky and fun, other times I find them too unbelievable and annoying. What are some of the more outrageous characters you’ve read, and how do you feel about them?

Usually I love quirly characters. If they're crazy, strange, unusual, impossible to fit into categories, unpredictable or just plain loonies, I can be pretty sure I'm going to like them. I adore "Stargirl", I think Luna Lovegood is the coolest character in "Harry Potter" after Hermione, I fell in love with Weetzie Bat and her unlikely family almost instantly and I never understood how Marilla could critise Anne for being what she was (fun, creative, imaginative).

I think it must be because deep inside (or not that deep), I'd like to be like them. Quirky people are often the most original and creative. They see the world in a different way and they don't tend to conform. When they are bold I admire them (like Imogene in "The Blue Girl), and when they're shy I can understand them and maybe wish I could be their friend. Or maybe I'm already one of them and I'm just looking for assurance that quirky is cool!:D

One character, though,that I didn't like was Justin in Meg Rosoff's "Just in Case". He was quirky, or better, he was completely out of it. Strange wouldn't quite describe him. Paranoid might be the best word. And althought I would normally like a character who invents an imaginary dog and then acts as if it was a real one, and that changes his name into Justin Case to hide himself from Fate, I really couldn't relate to this guy. Even though the writing was truly beautiful.

So if you know any book with quirky characters that you think I might like, please share them with me! I'm always looking to read more books with interesting characters (i.e. strange) in them.