Top 10 Tuesdays: Characters Whose Jobs You Wish You Had

I always struggle so much with this kind of prompt! I’ve never really had much a “dream job.” When I was younger, I wanted to be a vet because I loved animals, until I realized that I couldn’t stand the sight of blood or the idea of having to give an animal a needle. Other than that, I mostly wanted to be a teacher because I loved reading and learning and also really liked working with kids. I always loved babysitting or helping out in the kindergarten classroom and it was a job that I thought would be realistic for me and that I’d likely enjoy. Other than that, I had only vague ideas of things I might like. I thought it might be cool to be a scientist like Jane from Tarzan or Jane Goodall because I loved chimpanzees, but I didn’t like the idea of being out in the jungle. The only other job I very seriously considered was being an author. In fourth grade, my best friend and I tried writing our own children’s books. I wrote, and he illustrated them. We vaguely had the idea of going into business together as an author-illustrator team, but that died out pretty quickly. I’ve always been interested in writing stories, but never follow through and actually finish them! I was always very interested in psychology but knew that I didn’t want to be a psychologist. I ended up applying to teacher’s college but didn’t get in, and ultimately started working at a day program for adults with disabilities, which I absolutely love! It’s the perfect mix of creating classes, working with people, and a bit of psychology.

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

1) A herpetologist like Uncle Monty from The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket (I find reptiles very interesting, and think it would be cool to study them)

2) A bookshop owner like Margeret from The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (For obvious reasons — I’d love to be around so many old and unique books)

3) A translator/court transcriber like Eva from The German House by Annette Hesse (I’m already in charge of taking minutes during staff meetings at work, and would love to know multiple languages)

4) A professional author like January and Gus from Beach Read by Emily Henry (This was already a dream of mine at one point, but I didn’t have the follow-through to actually do it)

5) A bookshop owner with a Letter Library like Henry’s family in Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley (Mostly for the Letter Library, since it’s such a cool concept)

6) An elephant researcher like Alice in Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult (Elephants are such interesting animals, and the research on their emotions is fascinating)

7) A librarian like Henry from A Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (For obvious reasons, so I can be around tons of books)

8) A sign language interpreter like Paige by The Silent House by Nell Pattinson (I don’t know sign language but I’d love to learn and think this would be a very interesting role)

9) A school librarian like Samantha in What You Wish For by Katherine Center (If I wasn’t doing what I was already doing, this is probably my next best option)

10) A bakery owner like Ari’s family in Bloom by Kevin Panetta (although I’m more interested in having all the good food than making it!)

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