I’ve been a fan of vampires and vampire stories since I was a little kid, from the first time I read Bunnicla. There has been a lot of press lately about some new vampires, the Twilight vampires. To be honest, I’m not a fan. I like my vampires seductively pale bundles of violence, not shiny, cuddly emo friends. So, I feel it’s my civic duty to recommend some vampires that don’t (if you’ll excuse the pun), suck.

Dracula by Bram Stoker. If you haven’t at some point in your life read this classic, please put down New Moon and pick this up. Mysterious and seductive, with the proper Victorian atmosphere, Dracula is a love story, an anti-love story, and a social commentary. It’s a short book; but brevity doesn’t inhibit Mr. Stoker from creating characters that stand the test of time (Dracula was published in 1897!). While not the first vampire novel ever written, it is arguably the most popular.

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. For those who need the untraditional romance, you can find it here. Ms. Rice took the concept of Vampirism and added humanity that makes her characters vivid and sympathetic. Louis, Lestat, and the child vampire Claudia are true predators, but they retain a small bit of their human selves as evidenced by their need for companionship. She leaves behind the “Dracula Myth” and creates a mythology of her own which grabs you and doesn’t let go. The first three novels in her Vampire Chronicles are enchanting and ruthless reads that are a must for the lovers of blood suckers.

Sunshine by Robin McKinley. Set in its own alternate universe, Sunshine tells a story about a human, Rae, and a vampire, Constantine, who become allies in a war between Humans and Others.  It’s weirdly romantic. Robin McKinley has a way with heroines. They are strong, independent, and not in need of  rescuing, nor are they whiny. Ms. McKinley makes them tough, but maintains the characters’ basic femininity. Also, her vampires are vampires.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. This list would not be complete without this beautiful novel. A young woman investigates the history of Dracula, the mystery of a handmade book that seems to choose its reader, (and is linked to the disappearances of several people) while trying to find her father.  Most of the story takes place moving through Europe. Like its predecessor, Dracula, the story is part social commentary, part excellent story telling.

Blood Sucking Fiends by Christopher Moore. For those of you just looking for some brain candy with substance, the always funny and ridiculous Mr. Moore delivers.  Set in modern day San Francisco, this book is less about the mysteries of vampires and more about what happens when you suddenly are one. Crazy everyday life meets supernaturals with superpowers, and the weird stuff that we endure everyday (like falling in love, first dates and sex).  This book and its sequel, You Suck, follow a ridiculous cast of characters as they fight to survive and get in a good shag or two.  The third in this series is due out next year, and is entitled Bite Me.

So there you have it, one girl’s opinion on what you should read instead of Twilight. If you are on “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob” or my team, you should give these tomes of seductive vampires a read.