Vampire Novels-- Why are they so popular?

As I strolled through the young adult aisle at Barnes and Noble or searched online for some new books to read, I found that most of the books nowadays are about vampires. The close second in subject is werewolves, but that is another post.

I actually wondered how many were there. I typed in the words teen and vampire in the Barnes and Noble online search bar. I was surprised at how many entries there were. 783! Now, I know that some of those can be the same book but in hardback or softback. That is understandable. But still, why do writers, let alone publishers, feel the need to keep producing this kind of novel?Here are my ideas.

The main reason is that vampires sell. It is what the masses are screaming for so the book publishers provide.

Here are some reasons why it would sell:

Vampires=Sexy

Have you noticed that most vampires in these novels are beautiful? They have perfect forms and features, making them so appealing. One notable beginning to the transformation from horrifying to sexy is the book Interview With A Vampire by Ann Rice. This novel helped to change the vampire image from a creature of darkness to a person with a tortured being. Sucking blood turned from a image of death to a symbolic form of sex. It is one of the elements that teens love, an attractive, sexy figure.

Vampires=Different

How many kids have grown up hearing vampire stories? We all heard Cinderella and Snow White. We know all the Disney movies by heart. We never heard about vampires because they are supposed to be scary. There is the occasional vampire costume on Halloween, but that is about as close as it gets. I think the only images of a vampire I knew was Bunnicula, which is a vampire bunny that drains the juice from carrots and Count Von Count, Sesame Street's friendly counting vampire. Teens are growing to where they can read books that their parents did not choose from them. They want to read something that is different from what they have read before, something that is different from them, yet still appealing to their age group.

Vampires=Thrilling

These books provide an unrealistic image of action. The images written are no so disturbing to stop a reader, but they curb the reader's appetite for a thrill. The reader knows that it cannot happen (though some may dream) and so the action is not disturbing but exciting.


All of these have led to the overwhelming obsession of the vampire novel which has book publishers pushing them out in large numbers for today's readers.

Read more...

Series Books

Question: What is a series?
Answer: A series book can be read on its own and need no background explained. Each work stands alone and it does not need to be read in order.

Question: How is it different from a sequence novel?

Answer: It is a set of novels that have their own title and storyline. They can be read out of order.

Question: Who reads series?
Answer: According to Scholastic Publishing Company a series could be for someone who is a reluctant reader as well as a book addict.

A reluctant reader usually has a hard time discovering a book or genre that will interest them. With a series novel, that search is minimized. The next book in the series will most likely be similar in the way it is written and what it is written about. These books also can draw the reluctant reader into the story. The reader might also want to finish the series to find out what happens at the end.

A book addict will read a series to follow along the plot. Reading is usually easy for most of these people, so reading does not require as much effort. Therefore these readers can read more. It will draw the person into the plot and they might as what to finish to see what happens at the end.

Scholastic also provides a list of series. These are great for a reluctant reader who is just getting started. Here are some of the most popular:

• The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. LewisEmbark upon otherworldly adventure in these seven classic stories.
• Harry Potter by J. K. RowlingThis orphan wizard may transform your child into a reader.
• Goosebumps by R. L. StineShudder along with the safe scares in this highly addictive series.
• Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls WilderRelive pioneer life with the famous Ingalls family in this autobiographical series.
• The Dark Is Rising Sequence by Susan CooperSatisfy your fantasy fan's quest for enchanted adventure with this Newbery Award-winning series.
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Read more...