Calling all Twilight fans and vampire lit lovers: Your opinion is needed

May 13, 1:27 AMDenver Metro Library ExaminerAlicia Rudnicki

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Bela Lugosi prepares to take a sip. Photo from          
thebadgerine.wordpress.com                       

Here is a question that has been biting at me for quite some time: Why do teens love vampire books so much?

Recently, I asked a reference librarian from the Arapahoe Library District to see if a copy of Stephenie Meyer’s phenomenon Twilight was available. She said that although that library system had nearly 90 copies, there were dozens of holds in place.

Next, she tried to find a copy for me at other Colorado libraries that are affiliated with Arapahoe through the massive Prospector interlibrary loan system. After about 15 minutes of searching online, she discovered one copy available in Denver Public Library.

Two days later, I received a letter saying that the book was not available.

But tonight, just as dusk and the vampire hour were setting in, I got lucky. While searching another library’s online catalog, I discovered one copy on the shelf.

So now I have decided to begin some serious research, and I need your help. What is it with this plethora of what some are calling “fang fiction”? Teens out there, have you read Boys that Bite, Life Sucks, Vampire Mountain, Vampire Beach (will Vampire Beach Party be next?), Good Ghouls or other such titles? Are you reading and re-reading the Twilight series?

Are you a parent who can shed some light on your child’s vampirous reading habits? Or are you a psychologist who has already given this subject some thought?

I want to hear from you. Please leave me a comment about why you think vampires have become big business in young adult fiction.