Let's Talk is a weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

What are some of your all-time favourite book quotes, and why do they remain your favourite to this day?

This prompt is actually one that's pretty near and dear to my heart. For the past five years or so, I've kept a little journal of all my favourite quotes. Whether they be from friends, poetry or novels, every quote in that journal speaks to me on some deeper level. These quotes range from funny, to sweet, to evocative and descriptive...not all of them might seem straightforward, but they all have their reasons and their place in my heart.

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light."

- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter

"We've all got both light and dark inside of us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are."

- Sirius Black, Harry Potter

"Roses. Wolf mutts. Tributes. Frosted Dolphins. Friends. Mockingjays. Stylists. Me. Everything screams in my dreams tonight."

- Mockingjay

"You will find joy, frustration and sorrow in your quest. Never forget that friendship and loyalty are more precious than riches...Happiness can be brief, but it knows no time in the land of dreams."

- Pearls of Lutra

"My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations."

- The Fault in Our Stars

"Just like there's always time for pain, there's always time for healing."

- Hate List

Obviously these are just a small few of the quotes that mean so much to me, but they speak to me on so many different levels. They're about feeling, passion, pain, growth and learning to live life fully. What quotes are on your list of all-time favourites, and why are they favourites of yours?

Let's Talk is a weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

Who are some of your favourite inspirational characters and why?

Yet again, I don't know why I do this to myself. Frankly, I could make an entire list of characters just from one series (Harry Potter, obviously), but I decided to put my big girl pants on and branch out...sort of. I have too many inspiring characters to list, but there are three that really stand out for various reasons, and that was the reason I decided to go ahead with this topic. 

1. Sirius Black from Harry Potter - When we were introduced to his character in the novels, I'd be lying if I said I didn't think he was an absolute psycho at first. Slowly but surely though, we watch as his hardened exterior forged by Azkaban and multiple betrayals begins to fade. Though he desires to be on the forefront of the action, above all else, he wants to be a parent to Harry, and he's willing to fight and die for him. His persona, his character and his selflessness is utterly inspiring.

2. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games - Though I feel like we lost a bit of the essence of Katniss in the third book, it doesn't change the fact that it was (and is) thoroughly impressive to see a female character truly kick some ass. Though she is realistically afraid of what's to come, she inspires a nation by taking her sister's place in the games, and puts herself in a position where she will have to fight just to live. It is utterly refreshing to see that, though she doesn't need a man to survive, she can find one without losing herself, too.

3. Hazel Grace from The Fault in Our Stars - For the record, I don't think that picture is actually from the movie, but if it is, Shailene Woodley makes cancer look good. I'm going to hell. Anyhow, Hazel Grace inspires me because, though she knows she will probably die from her disease, she lives her life. She's isolated herself a lot through the course of her illness, and we learn that this strong, independent girl did so for the sake of others, rather than herself. She knows it will hurt them even more when she's gone. Plus, Hazel + Augustus simply means living life to its fullest.

What about you? Which characters do you find the most inspiring?

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

Question: Who are your top literary crushes and why?

There's something about literary men, I swear. If I could have a man that embodied all the qualities of my literary crushes, I'd be golden. There's also something to be said for YA literary men, although I should probably point out that my literary love interests are at both ends of the spectrum (of age, that is). I find my literary crushes embody some sort of innate charisma that leaps from the pages. I'm not always about the super overprotective ones. I'm really into those literary men that have odd quirks but kind natures and a genuine kindness from within. I'm a sap. So, below are my top four literary crushes. You may not have them. I've claimed them.

Mr. Darcy - This man is a bit off. He's got a bit of pride and far too much money. Quiet and sensible, he sometimes seems a bit arrogant and off-putting, but it's a facade. He's genuine, he's sweet and he thinks. I mean, he really thinks. A lot. Plus, he's got this way with words that makes me swoon.

Sirius Black - He's a little too old for me, and I swear I don't have some sort of creepy complex. Seriously though...who could really NOT love him? He's damaged goods, for sure, be he has one hell of a heart of gold, and at the end of the day, his courage and compassion is the heart of his character. Oh, and he survived Azkaban, so he can obviously handle himself.

Noah Shaw - In my head, that's what Noah looks like and, frankly, he's just as hot in person. I saw him. Well, the actor that played him in the trailer. I swooned. And drooled. The point is, there's something totally offbeat about Noah that makes him completely irresistible. Plus, he's got the whole accent thing and the whole "I take care of broken people" thing. Both work for me.

Ian O'Shea - I hated the Twilight series for it's sissy and pathetic characters, but The Host gave me something better. It gave me Ian. This hunk of a man offered me A) pure hotness and B) a conscience. Sure, he's protective, but he does this whole character transformation that makes him infinitely more attractive, too. The actor portraying him in the film (pictured above) better fulfill my lustful expectations.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Tuesday Freebie (anything literary you'd like!):

I've been waiting for this one for a while. It's time I honour my all-time favourite series with a full post, and thus, I'm doing my top ten favourite characters from Harry Potter!

1. Albus Dumbledore - He will always be at the top of my list. Whether he was giving silly speeches (nitwit, blubber, oddment, tweak?), consoling and guiding Harry, or leading good wizards on a path of good magic and decency, he was a hero. I've never cried so hard about a character before in my life, but Dumbledore was it. He was the epitome of perfection for me.

2. Sirius Black - We never really got to know James Potter, so what I can figure is that Sirius is as close to a father as Harry ever really had. Despite his demons and his tragic past, Sirius loved Harry for all he was worth. His character made Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for me.

3. Severus Snape - So sue me...his bark was far worse than his bite. Even though he was pretty much a greasy, slimy little douchebag rat for most of the book, he redeemed himself in the end. Plus, the depth of his character was fantastic.

4. Dobby - He wasn't the biggest character in stature, perhaps, but his role was more powerful than some of the biggest and baddest in the entire series. One little house elf changed Harry's life and many more, plus his heart and spirit was far bigger than he was. I want to keep him for myself.

5. Bellatrix Lestrange - Now, before you kill me or call me a Death Eater, allow me to clarify. She's one nasty b*tch, but good Lord is she a crazy good character. I mean, she's psycho, for sure, but without her, the final installments of Harry Potter would be lacking their token freak.

6. Ron Weasley - Oh, Ronald. How I love thee. Perhaps it's because he's so unsure of himself and self-deprecating, or perhaps it's because he's nearly always there for Harry, or even perhaps it's because he's just a kind, good person. Ron is faithful and true, and without him, Harry would be missing half of who he was.

7. Voldemort - No, I do not love Voldemort, but I love his characterization, for sure. Think of evil incarnate, and he's right up there with the devil, himself. It's not that his physical appearance matches how evil I would imagine him to be, but rather than he's that heinous. Just when I thought he couldn't get worse, he did.

8. Neville Longbottom - He's so cooky. I mean, c'mon. The poor guy was a blathering fool for a good bit, but he had a heart of gold. To watch him transform into the hero he so desperately wanted to be was a real treat.

9. Luna Lovegood - While we're talking about cooky characters, allow me to say how much I stinkin' love this girl! She's so strange! There was absolutely nothing normal about her which made her that much more intriguing, plus she didn't give a crap what anyone thought about her.

10. Hagrid - He's got a heart as big as he is - perhaps even bigger, if that's possible. I remember thinking he was like a big, doofus teddy-bear when I first read about him, but watching him grow from friend, to mentor, to ally to Harry was incredible, and I loved him every moment.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Rebels In Literature (characters or authors) -- Those people who stood up for what they believed in despite the cost of doing so:

1. Sirius Black from Harry Potter - I still cry like a baby when I think of how he loved Harry. 

2. Dumbledore from Harry Potter - This doesn't even need an explanation. Dumbledore. Always. Wins.

3. Caleb from Leaving Paradise - There's something about a bad boy with a cause.

4. Katniss from The Hunger Games - I have a love/hate with this character. Mostly love because she's a challenge.

5. Melinda from Speak - This is one of those characters that triumphs over incredible personal circumstances to find herself again - despite the cost.

6. Hagrid from Harry Potter - Where else will you find such a lovable giant? Seriously. Please tell me.

7. Rose from Vampire Academy - Snarky. Tough. Badass. Fighter. 'Nuff said.

8. Martin from Martin the Warrior - He's a warrior mouse with a mission to save Redwall and all its inhabitants. He has to be on this list. Obviously.

9. Kate from The Liar Society - So full of sass, so sure of the mystery and so hell-bent on solving it. Kate wins.

10. Cinna from The Hunger Games - Cinna is right up there with the rest of them. His rebellions are small, but crucial and I love his character to tiny pieces.

Talk to Me Tuesday is a brand new weekly meme where we will discuss anything (and everything) literary-related in an open forum of honesty. Questions for the next week will be posted one week prior to the post on the Features page. If you'd like to participate in this weekly feature, simply create your post, link back to me, and add your post to the wonderful Mr. Linky below. Have fun, and have at it!

This week's question: Who are your all-time favourite male and female characters?

Ahhh yes, the age-old question. A good friend asked me who my favourite all-time characters were, and it got me to thinking. See, the problem is that there are SO many characters in the genres I read that have characters that resonate on different levels, you know? I think it’s impossible and completely untrue for me to say that I have one true favourite for both male and female characters, but that said, I definitely have those that continue to stay with me long after I’ve finished a book or series, so I decided that I’d tell you my two (read: current) all-time favourites.

Sirius Black played such an important role in the Harry Potter series, though his role was far too fleeting for my liking. No, he’s not the youngest, or the hottest, or even the smartest, most likely, but there is something about his character that stays with me, no matter what book I pick up next. He’s an unlikely hero with a clouded past, but he resonates familial love, true courage and a depth of personality that doesn’t often appear for characters that don’t in a long series for a long period of time. No, he may not have played a role continuously through the series in terms of face-time, but his personality, spirit and heart remained long past his exit.

Annabeth from the Percy Jackson series wasn’t your typical female MC from the first second she entered the series. She’s strong and resourceful, she has no desire to be coddled in any way, shape or form, and she most certainly doesn’t want a boy to take care of her. She’s got this hardened exterior because of how she was raised, but inside, she’s just a teenage girl with the same angst as every teen. There are little hints of angst that appear now and again, but they’re peppered and punctuated by her sassy attitude and no-holds-barred demeanor. Most of all though, Annabeth doesn’t want to fit in. She’s special, and she will try her damndest to stand out.

Obviously, there are a ton of fantastic characters out there. To name just a few of my other favourites – Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice, Hagrid from Harry Potter, Anna from My Sister's Keeper, Lloyd & Sam from The Long Weekend, Jo from Little Women and far too many others to name. So what about you? Do you have all-time favourite male & female characters?

Want to weigh in and do your own Talk to Me Tuesday post for this week? Go ahead and link up!