That question: “Name or tell about the famous people (alive or dead) you would love to have dinner with” inspired this blog post. I generally pick a few famous, obvious choices, and then go for someone slightly controversial to round out my list.

But fictional characters might be an even more interesting table. I think the characters you admire or identify with tell something about your personality- either a characteristic you have or maybe wish you had. Sometimes we identify with characters because they remind me of us a time in our lives or a person we once knew.

For my fictional table of lunch guests- these are my picks (and why):

Grover from The Monster at the End of this Book. This was my very first book I remember reading (and having read to me countless times) when I was a kid. While I cannot say that it started my love of reading, the book is still special to me and Grover deserves a place at the table.

The Babysitter’s Club– the early years of Stacey, Dawn, Claudia, Kristy and Mary Ann. With each girl, I felt a kinship with in some level. Claudia was so great with art ( I loved art class), Stacey was a sophisticated former NYC resident (loved reading about her NYC time AND she dots her I”s with hearts (which was the neatest thing to my 9 year old mind), Dawn (beach and sun- understood her love for that), Kristy (softball- me too!) and Mary Ann (she loved to read- me too!) Even though I liked them all as a group, I felt I was more like a combination of Kristy and Mary Ann. I wanted to live in StoneyBrook, Connecticut. I wanted to be best friends with these girls. I loved how they could walk to each other’s house, loved the feel of the fictional town.

Sweet Valley Twins– Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield. I was more like Elizabeth with her reading and being studious, but I longed to be a Jessica (even though she had troublemaker tendencies).

Rachel Robinson, Allison Monceau and Stephanie Hirsch (all characters from Judy Blume’s Just as Long as We’re Together and Here’s to You, Rachel Robinson). I felt like a cross between Stephanie and Rachel reading the books. They lived in Connecticut in a sub-division, and were best friends. I read Just as Long as We’re Together between my 6th and 7th grade year- and I felt that the girls and I were going through the same/similar things.

Kinsey Millhone (Sue Grafton’s ABC series)- a PI in the 80’s in California. She relies on her wits, her stubborn streak, and street smarts to solve each case. She’s not fashionable, but she’s real and hardworking. She’s also not afraid to bend the truth when needed, and I love that.

Claire Cossi (Cleo Coyle’s Village Blend mystery series)- part owner of the Village Blend in NYC. She solves mysteries on the side while whipping up delicious coffee drinks. I would love to pick her brain about coffee!

Stephanie Plum (Janet Evanovich’s series)- bounty hunter. I would tell her to pick- Ranger or Joe- and would outline the reasons that she needs to be with Joe more (and not just because he calls her Cupcake)

Bailey Weggins (Kate White’s Bailey Weggins series)- true-crime novelist in NYC. Would enjoy helping her solve crimes and writing a tell-all book with her.

Abby Knight-(Kate Collins Flowershop Mysteries) she could bring a fabulous floral centerpiece to the table and if a crime happened- could solve it!

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants– Lena, Tibby, Carmen and Bridget. Admire the strength of friendship between the girls. Bonds that are lasting.

Rachel White and Darcy Rhone- best friends, but also girls who share a lopsided friendship. Rachel would be the one that was more interesting to talk to, the one who would be more like me. Darcy would bring a sense of fun to the party, but also would have to be a person to watch to make sure she didn’t hog the spotlight. (Emily Giffin Something Borrowed, Something Blue)

Lacey Smithsonian (Ellen Byreum- A crime of Fashion series)- fashion advice and fashion clues- Lacey would provide both.

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark- Katniss could show how to shoot a bow and Peeta could make the bread.(Suzanne Collins- The Hunger Games trilogy)

In all honesty, I could probably write about fictional characters for much longer. Books have a way of getting inside your thoughts, making you feel understood, even validated at times. My fictional table has characters from many years of my life. Each character is special to me.

So- who would be at your fictional table? Would you invite childhood friends? Just adult friends? Maybe have 2 or more lunches? What,if any fictional characters, have been influential to you, a comfort to you, remind you of a happier time?