The world of books and readers has always held a unique fascination for both the big and small screen, and some of the most memorable characters in cinema and television history are united precisely by their passion for books. These protagonists inspire us to cultivate a love of reading, showing us how books can be faithful companions in every phase of our lives.
Whether they are young people discovering the world through pages, adults finding comfort in stories, or enthusiasts living immersed in culture, all these characters confirm once again that books are much more than simple objects: they are portals to other worlds, pieces of our soul, and precious friends to keep close to us.
Hermione Granger – Harry Potter
The brightest witch of her generation, a passionate scholar, the one who seeks “light” reading in the Hogwarts library and who, thanks to her knowledge, has saved Harry and Ron on numerous occasions, demonstrating how the greatest power is precisely that of knowledge. Raise your hand if you’d want her magically expanded handbag to carry millions and millions of books with you every time, without ever risking not knowing what to read!
Matilda Wormwood – Matilda
This child prodigy finds refuge from the adult world that doesn’t understand her in books, developing not only a vast culture but also telekinetic powers fueled by her passion for reading. Her character celebrates precisely the transformative power of literature, reminding us how those who read are never truly alone.
Anna Shirley – Anne of Green Gables
Anne is the quintessential figure of the dreamer who lives through stories. Her vivid imagination, fueled by reading and overwhelming curiosity, allows her to face life’s unexpected events and difficulties with creativity and optimism, demonstrating how books are special companions for growth and discovery of oneself and the surrounding world.
Jess Mariano – Gilmore Girls
Regardless of which team you’re on when it comes to Rory’s boys, it’s undeniable that Jess embodies the image of the intellectual rebel, the boy who takes refuge in literary classics and finds in the pages of Kerouac and Hemingway a language to express his restlessness. How romantic is it that his relationship with Rory owes so much precisely to the books they discuss with passion?
Lila and Lenù – My Brilliant Friend
Two different friends, two different stories, two different destinies that represent two different ways of relating to books: for Elena, they are a tool of social emancipation useful for proving her worth, while Lila possesses a unique intelligence that leads her to devour any text and understand it in a profound, rebellious, and sometimes silent way. Their friendship is also nourished by this intellectual sharing that becomes deeper, more intense, and more special over the years.
Isaac Henderson – Heartstopper
When talking about books in this series, we talk about Isaac, the young friend of the protagonists who always, and we repeat, always has a book within reach, through which he escapes from reality and, at the same time, searches for stories that reflect his identity and help him understand the world around him. If he had a TikTok profile dedicated to his numerous readings, we would definitely follow him!
Elizabeth Bennet – Pride and Prejudice
Elizabeth is the embodiment of the cultured and independent young woman of the 19th century. Her passion for reading is a symbol of a free and critical mind, capable of looking beyond social conventions and not fearing the judgment of others to assert her own opinion and person. Brilliant, spirited but always elegant, Elizabeth is one of the most passionate and beloved readers in the collective imagination.
Elio Perlman – Call Me By Your Name
Elio represents the figure of the sensitive young intellectual, immersed in philosophy and classical literature. Books are not just objects of study for him, but emotional companions that help him process the complex feelings of first love and better understand the surrounding reality. Vulnerable and cultured, he’s the perfect friend to talk about books again and again and again, especially during torrid summer evenings.
Hazel Grace Lancaster – The Fault In Our Stars
Hazel Grace Lancaster reminds us how books can offer comfort and meaning even in the most difficult moments. Her obsession with the (fictional) book “An Imperial Affliction” by Peter Van Houten becomes a pretext for seeking answers to big existential questions and for living an extraordinary adventure in the name of love, reminding us how literature can be a guide even when it comes to facing pain and uncertainty.
Spencer Reid – Criminal Minds
Dr. Reid represents the intellectual par excellence, capable of devouring books at superhuman speed, retaining every piece of information, and sustaining conversations rich with insights and curiosities. His vast culture is not only a talent but a work tool that helps him solve the most complex cases: a surprising personality that, also thanks to reading, has managed to win the hearts of all fans of this TV series.
Lisa Simpson – The Simpsons
Lisa is proof that intelligence and love for books can flourish even in the most unlikely environments. Her passion for reading distinguishes her in a family that often doesn’t understand her intellectual interests, but supports her nonetheless. Even in the most difficult moments, Lisa finds in the pages of her beloved books proof of her uniqueness and the beauty of daily life, especially during a delicate moment like that of growing up.
Alex Dunphy – Modern Family
Alex is the perfectionist student who finds in books not only study tools but also a source of security and identity, a moment of peace from her chaotic but loving family. Her character shows how academic excellence can be both a blessing and a “burden” in certain situations, but with the right attitude (and the right people by your side), everything is surmountable.
Jo March – Little Women
Jo March embodies the aspiring writer with a visceral love for stories. She doesn’t limit herself to reading books but dreams of creating her own, transforming her passion for literature into professional ambition. Her relationship with books is active and creative: she reads to learn, writes to express herself, and uses stories as a means to give shape to her deepest feelings. Jo represents all those girls who have found in writing and reading a way to rebel against social conventions and assert their independence.
Bella Swan – Twilight
Bella Swan is a great romantic reader, always immersed in literary classics. Her passion for books like “Wuthering Heights” and “Pride and Prejudice” is not coincidental: these novels reflect her dreamy nature and her search for intense and overwhelming love stories. Her love for reading becomes almost prophetic when her own life begins to resemble the pages of the novels she loves so much, complete with gothic and supernatural nuances, demonstrating how sometimes reality can surpass literary fantasy.
John Keating – Dead Poets Society
Professor Keating embodies the educator who transforms literature into a tool of personal liberation. He doesn’t limit himself to teaching poetry but uses Whitman, Byron, and Thoreau to awaken his students’ souls, showing them that verses can be medicine for the soul and keys to understanding themselves. His revolutionary approach to literature, culminating in the famous exclamation “O Captain! My Captain!”, demonstrates how a true book lover can transmit this passion to others, transforming reading from a school obligation into an act of rebellion.
What do you think?