Why book characters aren't like us....

In book reviews, I often notice readers referring to characters as being easy or difficult to relate to. On the surface it seems like a valid point. But then I thought about it some more, and realized that the characters that I love the most, I can't relate to at all. A few examples: Rose from VA, Katniss from The Hunger Games. What makes them so fun to read are the things that make them extraordinary. That detail aside, sometimes I think that a different set of rules applies to people in books, even the non-fantasy ones, which is part of the reason they don't always translate into movies well. Here is my list of reasons why book characters aren't like us boring old real people.

* They are often impossibly beautiful. They usually have an eyecolor that defies human physics, like silver. Hair? Never is it dishwater blonde, or ordinary brown. It is raven black, stunning auburn, golden blonde. Often, the combination of the two is something unheard of in real life.

* They can read things in each other's eyes that a real person never could. For example, I can usually tell if someone is surprised, happy, angry, or about to cry from the look in their eyes. Book peeps can tell so much more: I lifted my head nervously and glanced into his eyes, flinching at what I saw reflected there: anger, betrayal, and despair swirled within, turning his silvery gaze to ice. (See above point on appearance.)  

* They can do stuff with their faces that we hardly ever can. He covered his feelings in a hurry, arranging his features into an insolent smirk and raising one eyebrow lazily. People, I don't know if you've ever tried to lift one eyebrow without lifting the other. It's freaking hard. When I try it I look like a moron. Sure, a few of you probably can, but somehow it is not only effortless for many male characters, they manage to look good while doing it.

*They figure out the most complex of mysteries, often with very little to go on, but they don't click on to the obvious clues and hints in relationships. A guy could be pissed off every time she speaks to another male and all but drool when she walks in the room, and she will still be completely startled when he professes his love for her.

* There is always something unique about them, whether they're smarter than everyone else, have a power no one else has, the last heir to the throne, the person prophesied to save the world, etc.

* They refer to each other by first name. When reading this, it doesn't seem so unnatural, but in comparison to reality it is. I could have a thirty minute conversation with my BFF and never say her name once. Why would I? Characters often say each other's names a couple times per convo, and always when they are angry or touched.

* They have names like Katniss.

While I'm complaining a little bit, I wouldn't really change any of these things because that's why it's fun to read. If the character had brown hair, brown eyes, was an average student who lived in the suburbs, and divided her time between working at McDonald's and helping out at home, she might not be the most interesting character in the book, although there are probably thousands of girls in the world just like her who are good-looking and fun.

So what about you guys? What things have you noticed about book peeps that are unlike us?