Blogtober Day 19: Vampire Book Recommendations!

Yes, bookworms, the moment has come. My list of what books you should read to get into vampire lore and legend, a combination of creative ideas and classic tales! This list is a doozy and is absolutely not a full list of all my favorite vampire books. I’ll include a brief explanation of what kind of reader these books are most likely to please, since it’s unlikely every book on this list will appeal to the same people.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

An easy one, yes? But if you enjoy the classics and you want to dive into vampires, this is a great place to start. The writing takes the form of diary and journal entries from multiple points of view, the story follows Jonathan and Mina Harker as they deal with a mysterious threat, and the characters are incredibly memorable (don’t sleep on the cowboy!).

Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu

Looking for a shorter classic? Not enjoying the switching perspectives of Dracula? Look no further than Carmilla! Pre-dating Dracula by about twenty years, this novella is the story of a young girl who encounters a stranger named Carmilla. It’s also pretty gay, so enjoy that!

Vampire Kisses series by Ellen Schreiber

Looking for something short and sweet? This series is for you! A MG – YA series, it follows Raven, an outcast goth girl in a conservative small town who wants nothing more than to discover vampires a real. The books are quick reads, pretty cute, and easy to get into. There is an overarching series but each book has its own stand alone plot.

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by Heather Brewer

In the world of MG and YA vampire series, it’s not that common to find a series focused on a young boy. This series, though, is written about and from the perspective of young Vladimir Tod–a vampire living his typical teenage life. Each book is titled after the school year Vladimir is facing and combines the concerns of a growing vampire with your typical middle and high school issues.

May Day by Josie Jaffrey

This recent publication concerns Jack Valentine, a relatively young vampire in Oxford who’s part of the vampire enforcement team that ensures Silvers (vampires) don’t accidentally reveal their presence to humans. Jack is the messiest bisexual vampire I’ve ever encountered, and she’s a delight. The story introduces conspiracy, murder, and so much more!

The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

Technically this book is the second in the series, but it is my preference to Interview With the Vampire. Lestat is a more entertaining narrator and delves deeper into vampire lore, searching for the meaning behind his immortal life constantly. While some events of this book won’t make much sense without knowledge of the first one, I think this is the stronger book.

What are some of your vampire vampire books?