5 Bookish Chicks That Make Me Want to Wear Leather

My daughter is six and really into princesses. You know the type - damsel in distress just standing around waiting for her man to show up, beat the bad guy and save the day. Pretty dresses. Animal sidekick.

No offense to Cinderella, but that just ain't my style.

Personally, I prefer a girl with a set of brass balls. One who isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in and doesn't just wait around for her knight in shining armor. She goes out and gets him. Fights a bunch of bad guys along the way, usually with some cool weapons. She usually has a pretty big chip on her shoulder, and it's usually well deserved. Add in a serious aversion to authority figures and an amazing group of friends, and you have my ideal bookish chick.

Here are a few kick ass examples:

5. Yelena, Study series by Maria V. Snyder

Yelena knows how to make lemonade from a pile of lemons. That have been poisoned. Initially asked to be the Commander's food taster, she finds a way to tap into her magic to defeat the bad guys and win the heart of her jailer, Valek. Before too long, she's charging into battle without asking for permission and taking on armies all by herself.

4. Mercy Thompson, Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs

Mercy is a unique woman in a world full of unique creatures. She's one of the last of her kind - a skinwalker who can become a coyote. Although she's inherently a gentle person, when danger comes knocking, she never turns and runs. Especially if an innocent person, or especially, someone she loves is the one in trouble.

3. Merit, Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill

Although Merit became a vampire under questionable circumstances, she only allowed herself to wallow for a half a second before she charged right up to the hot dude who made her that way and challenged him to a fight. After that, she busted out her leather pants and her wicked katana and set to work becoming the best Sentinel her house had ever seen. And, along the way, she ended up saving said hot dude's life more than once. And, earned his respect and love too.

2. Alex Andros, Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Alex was trained from birth to be a total badass. Even went to school for it. Training to be a sentinel is serious business, especially when you have the blood of the Gods in your veins. Despite her loyal friends, Alex has a lot of hurt in her life. Her mom is killed and she falls in love with the one boy she can't have. Yet, despite one bad thing after another happening to her, Alex stays strong and hopeful and never gives up on what she wants.

1. Rose Hathaway, Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead

My favorite bookish chick of all time. Rose is half vampire training to be a bodyguard for the full-blooded ones. Despite being a sort of second class citizen, she attacks her job with passion and life. And, not just because she likes pounding things and handling shiny weapons. Rose truly loves helping people. And, I think that's one of the reasons why her teacher, Dimitri, falls in love with her. A lot of stuff goes down over the course of the books, and Rose stays strong. And kills a lot of bad guys. She ROCKS.

So, tap into your girl power. Put on a pair of leather pants and a bustier if it helps. Channel your inner Rose. And go out there and kick some butt.