Because you like Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Sabriel is smart enough to understand the dangers that await her and brave enough to face them anyway. See them in Abhorsen Series.
A good-natured and academically minded superhero, Dan Dreiberg can still get his hands dirty in a fight. See them in Watchmen.
The brilliant and well-adjusted Ender Wiggin is being groomed for the next generation of military leaders to fight alien invaders. See them in Ender's Game.
Stranded on Mars, Mark Watney is armed with quick wits, an electronic diary, disco music, and an undying resolve to make it back. See them in The Martian.
Just because Dracula wants to suck your blood doesn't mean he's not a gentleman. See them in Dracula.
Phoebe Caulfield is a wise-beyond-her-years 10-year-old with an empathetic spirit. See them in The Catcher in the Rye.
A bureaucrat in the Land of the Dead, Manuel Calavera is a jaded, sarcastic loner who just might have a hidden heroic side. See them in Grim Fandango.
In his transformation from hardened convict to moral paragon, Jean Valjean is the kind of man we should all aspire to be. See them in Les Miserables.
Lyra Belacqua is prone to getting in trouble, but she's also clever enough to get out of it. Most of the time. See them in The Golden Compass.
A literal fallen star, Yvaine is temperamental, sarcastic, and a bit on edge. See them in Stardust.
A doting grandfather, Edwin Hoover also has a heroin addiction and a penchant for swearing. See them in Little Miss Sunshine.