In a new era of interest in the vampire realm, I find myself shying away from the huge following of the Twilight Series. A friend of mine did mention that someone she met who read the series was interested in more vampire literature. So in dedication to that anonymous person, here’s a list of some classics to quench your mortal thirst for the immortal:

Fragment of a Novel (1816) by Lord Byron, short story

-Should be credited as the progenitor of the vampire novel.

The Vampyre (1819) by John William Polidori, short story

-Definitely the first realization of the romantic vampire.

Carmilla (1872) by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, novella

-Female vampire tale. Beautifully creepy!

Dracula (1897) by Bram Stoker, novel

-Need I say more? Yes! Do pay attention to the inspiration that went into and came from this classic.

Interview with the Vampire (1976) by Anne Rice, novel

-Universities use this text too! A wonderful introduction into a world of twisted characters.

The Vampire Lestat (1985) by Anne Rice, novel

-Great character study.

The Queen of the Damned (1988) by Anne Rice, novel

-An exciting fictive history of the vampire chronicles and more characters to love….or hate.

Fledgling (2005) by Octavia E. Butler, novel

-An exquisite meld of Science Fiction and vampire fantasy in Butler’s last novel.

Vampire Reference:

Vampires: The Occult Truth by Konstantinos

The Vampire Book by J. Gordon Melton

Next: The Vampire Movie Guide