Avatar: The Last Airbender holds the crown for one of the best shows of its generation. I mean, it’s hard to argue with a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. One of my random musings birthed this article, combining my two obsessions: ATLA and literature. Read on to get my thoughts on what book each of the main characters would absolutely love!
Aang – The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Full of wonder, misfortune, wisdom, and encounters with the mystical, The Alchemist follows young Santiago as he journeys from his life as a shepherd in the Andalusian plains toward his dreams. He learns to follow omens, go with the flow, and leech wisdom out of every experience. He makes surprising friends, finds true love, and learns the truths of the world. From whispering to the wind to conversing with crystals to crossing the desert, Santiago musters his courage and finds fortunes greater — and wilder — than he ever could have imagined.
I like to think Aang, a young boy on a life-changing journey, would enjoy and relate to Santiago’s story. After all, they both start alone (besides their animal companions), on a path they have no idea how to walk, and find friends, learn lessons, and deepen their relationship with both the universe and themselves along the way.
Katara – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Elizabeth Bennet is in no rush to marry. She is set on waiting for someone she truly loves. And she is certain it is no one like the arrogant, stubborn Mr. Darcy. She has her eyes set elsewhere. But, as time goes on, she begins to realize that perhaps she and Mr. Darcy are more alike than she once believed. Perhaps she likes that.
After her short-lived infatuation with Aunt Wu’s fortune-telling, I truly think Katara would love this classic romance with a headstrong heroine determined to make up her own mind and do things her way. Like Katara, Elizabeth is headstrong and stubborn and can err greatly in her initial assumptions of others’ character. Like Elizabeth, Katara has to (more than once) reckon with the consequences of judging too quickly and learn to keep an open mind.
Sokka – Dune by Frank Herbert
It’s the year 10,091, and Paul Atreides’ family has been sent to Arakkis after his father is appointed Duke of the desert planet. Paul soon discovers that they have a traitor in their midst and is thrust into the world of the Fremen. He then finds himself swept up as the messiah in tales of victory and heroics that quickly spiral out of his control.
Besides the deeper reasons why I think Sokka would love Dune, I think he would find it just plain cool. His infatuation with inventing and technology, along with his affinity for the non-bending fighting styles of the four nations, reminds me of Paul’s affinity for the ways of the Fremen. I think he would love the world Herbert has crafted and would be enthralled by the events of the following books as well.
Toph – Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (Braille Edition)
Celaena Sardothien doesn’t come to the capitol to kill the king. She harbors no love for him, but the prize she seeks is far greater: her freedom. She quarrels with the prince, allies with the captain of the guard, and befriends a foreign princess, all while trying to defeat 23 murderers, warriors, and other vicious types in a cutthroat competition. But when her competitors start dying mysteriously, she has more than one game to win if she wants to save her country — and herself.
Though Toph herself says books don’t really do it for her, I think she’d be thrilled to learn of our inventions of braille and audiobooks. And one thing I know she loves is a badass, independent woman following her path. As a sheltered rich girl, she’s always craved freedom, and like Celaena, she’s willing to break the rules to get it.
Zuko – The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
Ponyboy is a 14 year-old growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and to him, there’re only two things you can be in the world: a Greaser, or a Soc (short for social). The two gangs have forever been at odds. Greasers hang out on the outside of town, while the privileged Socs seem to have it all. When an altercation turns deadly, Ponyboy must reckon with his views on social striation, his values, and the costs of loyalty.
Zuko, like Ponyboy, must go on a journey of deep personal reflection after a tragic and traumatic event, eventually reconsidering his views on the world he has grown up in. I think that Zuko, who has spent so much time isolated and feeling alone, would resonate with Ponyboy and enjoy seeing a story thematically similar to his reflected in a boy close in age.
Azula – Lilith by Nikki Marmery
Banished from Paradise for refusing to submit to Adam, Lilith is scorned and demonized. But they don’t know her secret. She’s already tasted the wisdom of the Tree of Knowledge and knows why the heavens are out of balance. She plans to save Eve, return God’s wife (and equal) to her place in Heaven, and finally return to Paradise where she belongs. Her journey takes her deep through time, and she discovers what she must do to right the wrongs done to women and all of humanity — from the beginning.
One thing Azula understands is the story of a scorned, vengeful princess. And — though you can’t always tell — deep down, she knows what it means to love her girls. United in bonds of womanhood and a deep drive to accomplish their mission, both Azula and Lilith will stop at nothing to achieve their goals and return to where they belong.
Mai – A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Eddard Stark of Winterfell and his family live in comfort in the northernmost fiefdom of King Robert Baratheon’s Kingdom. But when the Hand of the King falls dead from mysterious causes, House Stark is swept up in political conflict with the King and his cruel son, as well as the rest of their household. On the other side of the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys Targaryan schemes to reclaim his family’s throne with the only bargaining chip he has — his beautiful and innocent sister, Daenerys. The decisions each group makes on both sides of the sea will determine not just their own fates, but the fates of their kingdoms.
Bored and isolated, excluded from her father’s political affairs yet so close to the action she can almost taste it, Mai is truly looking for something more than her current life of luxury. Before Azula returns to her life (and even after) Mai seems constantly bored. What better to enthrall and engage her than the complex, intriguing world of Winterfell and beyond. Rich with complex characters, lineages, relationships and storylines, and full of twists and turns, I’m certain Mai would absolutely adore the world Martin world has created in GoT.
Ty Lee – Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
It’s Sam and Sadie’s junior year at Harvard, and the estranged childhood best friends have just revived their old friendship. These two are thick as thieves and rely on each other for more than just friendship — they’re in it for fame. Before they even turn 25, they’ve done it; they’re rich, renowned, and lauded for their success. But that won’t protect them from the downfalls of life. Following the pair over 30 years, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow explores themes of triumph and failure, ambition and loss, and our human need to connect.
If she were living in our world, I, for some reason, am certain that Ty Lee would be into movies and gaming. Moreover, given her battle to search for her own personal identity separate from her sisters, I think themes of connecting with others would resonate with her deeply as well. Though she doesn’t join the circus for fame, Ty Lee is no stranger to the spotlight. I think she would enjoy following Sam and Sadie’s evolution through life.
Suki – Circe by Madeline Miller
Circe was born strange and powerless into the house of Helios. Feeling adrift in a world of triumphant and cunning gods, she seeks company in the world of mortals — soon discovering that she is not powerless at all. With her witchcraft she can rival the gods themselves. Threatened by her strength, Zeus banishes her to where she hones her gifts and crosses paths with the iconic figures of mythology. However, as it happens with many women who go against the grain, she makes enemies, finding herself up against one of the most terrifying of Olympus. She must decide once and for all whether her place is amongst the gods of her heritage or the humans she has come to love.
As the leader of the Kiyoshi warriors and admirer of the legendary Avatar Kiyoshi, Suki knows what it is to stand tall as a woman in a world where that may come as a shock to observers. I think she would adore Circe’s courage and bravery, and admire how she hones her craft. Given the parallels between the first avatar she admired and her very own journey, I think Suki would have Circe on her bedside table.
Yue – A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
To be a beautiful woman in Xishi’s village is to be successful — you can marry rich and support your family. But when military advisor Fanli presents her with a more dangerous, far more daring opportunity, she accepts. To avenge her sister’s death and weaken the neighboring kingdom of Wu, Xishi must simply infiltrate their palace and woo the emperor. On the flipside, to be discovered as a traitor is to destroy both kingdoms. Plus, her burning attraction to Fanli is no help in their ruse. As she earns the attention and affection of both the king and his advisors, she must tread carefully if she is to succeed.
Princess Yue has always known that she is bound by duty to serve her people. Though she resents the ways that restricts her, she loves her people. I think that Yue would absolutely delight at the story of a woman using her gifts and her cunning to rise to the occasion and accomplish her goals. I believe she would admire (and perhaps envy) Xishi as well.
Iroh – The Tale of Tea: A Comprehensive History of Tea from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day by George van Driem
The Tale of Tea tells a story of the history of humanity. It gave rise to paper currency, shaped economies, and changed the course of history time and time again. The black tea that we know today is a modern invention, and when the English waged war in the 17th century, no tea plantations even existed in the biggest tea-producing countries of today. This book reconciles myth and truth and illuminates the reality of the history of this globally prolific beverage.
A bit on the nose here, but we all know Iroh’s love for tea is paramount in his personal hobbies. Combined with his knowledge of politics, I think Iroh would absolutely love this all encompassing encyclopedia of the history of tea. He knows best that no knowledge is complete without a global view, and this book provides just that.
From historical findings to fantastical adventures, I think the ATLA characters would each find these books to be high on their bookshelves. Do you agree with my picks? Let us know on our socials!
Curious about more cartoon and book pairings? Click here to check out this article pairing Ghibli movies with books!
Click here to check out Bookstr team’s recommendations!
