Wow! Summer. The time of sitting out in the garden, sipping cold tea and enjoying a favorite book. Despite my voracious appetite for books, I always come back to my all time favorites. For those that know me personally, they can attest to the obsession I have for anything vampire. I have photos, novels and even a couple stuffed vampires in my office. From the day I could read a real book, I was reading about vampires. And, of course, my all time favorite is Bram Stoker's Dracula.
I'm sure you're thinking it's every vampire lovers favorite. But I'll let you in on a secret. It's every one's favorite, because it started the vampire romance craze. Honest! Think about the formula for all romances. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, something keeps them apart until they overcome that obstacle and end with a happily ever after.
Bram Stoker's Dracula follows that exact formula with a love that extends time and space thrown in. Isn't that what modern vampire romances are all about? Dracula is the epitome of a man who will go to extreme lengths to find the love of his life and keep her to himself, which is why he is one of my inspirations for my vampire steampunk series and will always inspire me. What are your favorite reads? The one's you'll go back to time and again?
11 comments:
Hi Mae,
I don't tend to reread books although there are a few exceptions. I think I've read Nora Robert's "Table for Two" (two of her Harlequin stories) a dozen times. I've also read some Jo Beverly's novels in her Rogue's Series to reacquaint myself with some of the earlier characters, etc.
As you can see, I'm not a vampire story reader and I'm not sure I ever read Bram Stoker's "Draacula" or Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" for that matter. I know I read Robinson Crusoe, all of Louisa May Alcott, the Anne of Green Gables' series, but I was never entranced by the world of vampires, demons, etc.
Must be something lacking in my gene's, right?
Not necessarily Judith. I think that vampires hold a fascination for people because of the myths associated with them. So many people have a fear of aging and dying and vampires are the complete opposite.
I'm obessed with them more for the love aspect. Who wouldn't want someone to love them unconditionally for eternity? Who wouldn't want someone to stand by them no matter how much time passes?
I grew up on Ann of Green Gables, Swiss Family Robinson and Treasure Island, Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte and others of the time. To me classics are classics for a reason. There's absolutely nothing wrong with not having that vampire bug.
It's been a long time since I re-read a book. The book I've probably read the most is THE STAND. I've read nearly everything of Stephen King's.
Then again, I did read all the Twilight books 4 times.
Right now, if I were to re-read a book, it would be JR Ward's BDB series. I love that series and could easily read them again.
Hey there Mae and thanks for inviting us over to your blog. I don't love Vampires - well, MOST of them that is...
Turns out this post is timely. Yesterday I got my copy of SHADOW OF NIGHT by Deborah Harkness in from Amazon - my favorite Vampire, Matthew Clairmont, lives within the pages of this book, and the first in the series, A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES.
He's an anti-hero with a striking proportion of Valiance, and I love him. I like to say it's Twilight for grown-ups.
Then, there's the Cullen clan - Oh, yes, I'm all in. Until I met the Cullen's, I found Vampires repulsive. Stephanie Meyer changed all that for me. - Go figure.
I'm still VERY fickel about my Vamps - but that Matthew Clairmont simply wears me out.
Great Post, Mae!
Paula
Mae,
I reread books all the time. I have a gazillion books. So many new ones I haven't quite gotten to yet and part of why is that I when I read a bad book, I have to read a good one, so I go reread one of my favorites.
I reread Patricia Brigg's two current series: Alpha & Omega and Mercy Thompson. I also reread Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series (probably my all time favorite). There are a couple Suzanne Brockmanns I dearly love too: GONE TOO FAR is my favorite. It's actually a really long list!
I read Bram Stoker's DRACULA when I was researching my vampire script. I love vampires as well. There's something just hot about a connection that goes beyond the mortal. An exchange of fluids that is deeper than just sex. Yummy.
Thanks for the post!
I'm always interested in hearing people's theories about why vampires fascinate. Nice addition, Mae.
I hate having to pick favorites, I always forget something. And, I'm also not a book re-reader. But, like Stacy, I do love the BDB vamps A LOT! I can see myself re-reading the Vishous story, for sure!
It's great to hear from you girls! My favorites include Christene Feehan, especially her Dark Series; Amanda Quick and Maggie Shayne.
If you ever need information on vampires Samantha, give me a shout out.
Thanks for coming to see me!
I don't reread many books. I have reread LaVyrle Spencer's Hummingbird and Morning Glory and Nora Roberts MacGregor Christmas book and her sisters trilogy set in Ireland.
Great post, Mae. I love Dracula too. One of my favorites and one I love to re-read. I also go back to Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories and any title by Jane Austen. That would make a kind of cool mash up story, eh? :)
I really enjoyed your post Mae. It's funny because I re-read books too. My favorites are The Night Huntress series and the Anita Blake series. Both have Vampires. I also love the Fever series by KMM. I can never get enough of them.
Fun post, Mae. There are so many reasons to love vampires.
I reread favorites when it's been long enough I can't remember all the details. Lately it's been Jenny Cruisie's back list.
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