Vampires, like anything else, go in and out of fashion. I’m happy to report that they appear to be coming back in. On our television screens we have Vampire Academy, Interview with the Vampire, and First Kill, and we’re starting to see a resurgence in books as well.
I’ve always been a fan of vampire lore and love seeing what different storytellers do with the mythology of undead, bloodsucking creatures. So naturally this fall I decided that I’d give vampire books top priority on my reading list. As the nights grow longer and the days turn grayer, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a book about these once-human monsters who rule the night.
Gen’s Top 5 Vampire Books on her TBR
Despite my love of vampires, I haven’t actually read a lot of vampire books, so we’re working to remedy that. Some of these are new this year, while others are a bit older, but they’re all high on my fall TBR.
1. House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson
I read Henderson’s The Year of the Witching back in October 2020 and it was a delightfully spooky take on witchcraft in an insular, religious town. House of Hunger promises to deliver the same gothic horror vibes. The story follows Marion Shaw, a young woman who has grown up in the slums and decides to better her position in the world by answering an ad to be a bloodmaid for the wealthy Countess Lisavet. Yes, this means that she’s volunteered herself to be a human blood bag for aristocratic vampires. I’m here for the gothic decadence of it all.
2. Direwood by Catherine Yu
On Goodreads, Direwood is described as a “velvet-clad 1990’s gothic horror.” That’s enough to sell me on it, but maybe you need a bit more. Sixteen-year old Aja encounters a charming vampire, Padraic, intent on luring her into the woods. The same vampire responsible for her sister’s disappearance. In order to find her sister, Aja agrees to accompany Padraic under one condition: if he has not successfully wooed her in a week, he must let her go. I love an ill-fated bargain and can’t wait to see how this unfolds.
3. Fledgling by Octavia Butler
Octavia Butler does vampires. What more could you want? I already have a long list of Butler books to read, but I’m especially intrigued by Fledgling. Being a sci-fi writer, she gives us vampires with a twist: a 53-year old genetically modified vampire who looks like a young girl. I know it won’t be like any other vampire books out there and I’m always here for a new take on an old story.
4. Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Mexican Gothic still lives in my head, rent free, so I’m excited to see what Silvia Moreno-Garcia does with vampires. She paints Mexico City as a safe haven from vampires, who are creatures descended from Aztec blood drinkers. Atl, a vampire on the run from rival narco-vampires, crime bosses, and cops alike, forms an unlikely alliance with Domingo, a garbage-collecting street kid. It’s vampire lore filtered through a noir lens. Hell yes.
5. A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
Okay, so I’ve actually read this one, but I want to read it again so it’s technically still on my TBR. It was recently reissued with a new cover and bonus content which I have yet to read. I’m always surprised when I remember how short it is because the story feels so large, dripping with atmosphere and history. It’s the story of Dracula’s brides (and husband) over the centuries that explores love, obsession, monstrosity, and survival. And it’s sexy, too. The vibes are impeccable.
Extending Spooky Season
I’ve really dropped the ball on reading this October, and haven’t cracked a single book on my vampire reading list, so I’m officially extending spooky season through November. Yes, this is me telling you to keep growing your stack of spooky novels, and to maybe add to it a couple of vampire books. Who’s going to join me?
