Because you like Marlena Rosenbluth in Water for Elephants

Formerly a "sweater-set-wearing, mojito-drinking sorority girl", Paige Collins is now a successful sculptor with slight memory loss. See them in The Vow.

Kathy is a natural caretaker who strives to find hope in even the darkest of times. See them in Never Let Me Go.

Romantic, impulsive, and captivated by the joys of life, Natasha Rostova is on the messy path of growing up. See them in War and Peace.

Calling Alicia Florrick a "good wife" is damning this smart, capable, thoughtful woman with too-faint praise. See them in The Good Wife.

Much more than just "Coach Taylor's wife," Tami Taylor is making herself known in town as a caring, persistent guidance counselor. See them in Friday Night Lights (TV).

Samantha Jones is a try-sexual who'll try anything once. See them in Sex and the City.

John Tyree has survived heavy gunfire and aggressive enemy soldiers. But can he handle a girl? See them in Dear John.

Phoebe Caulfield is a wise-beyond-her-years 10-year-old with an empathetic spirit. See them in The Catcher in the Rye.

Celie Johnson says she's poor, black, and may even be ugly. But dear God she's here. See them in The Color Purple.

Although she's only six, Hushpuppy is a tough girl ready to stand up to terrifying, pre-historic beasts after the storm. See them in Beasts of the Southern Wild.

Sydney Bristow is a kick-ass double agent on a mission for revenge. See them in Alias.

Maya Lambert is an obsessive intelligence officer with tunnel vision leading toward Osama bin Laden. See them in Zero Dark Thirty.