10 best books for 'Twilight' addicts: tomes to sate your raging thirst, Part 2 (and one big extra)

May 3, 4:29 AMBook ExaminerMichelle Kerns

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If you missed the first half of the 10 best books for Twilight addicts list, go here to suck up every luscious drop.

You've devoured those and are already ravening for your next Twilight-inspired heroin fix? Take a look at the books that snagged the  #6 through #10 slots on the list of best post-Twilight fare.

10 best books for Twilight addicts, continued

6. The Southern Vampire Mystery series - Charlaine Harris

Although most people know of Sookie Stackhouse through the HBO series, True Blood, never judge a book by its movie or television show: read these books for yourself and get at least a bit of the rush that Twilight gave you the first time around. There are eight books in the series -- if you're just starting out, the first is Dead Until Dark -- and all focus on the telepathic Sookie Stackhouse who becomes inextricably involved with vampires and their ilk when she begins dating one, partly because she is unable to fully read his vampire mind.

Think of these books as a light-hearted, vampire-flavored frolic through the land of the Southern supernatural scene with a decent amount of sex and sexual tension woven in. Young Twilight fans shouldn't be reading this stuff (unless your parents are very, VERY open-minded), but mature ladies of a Certain Age will enjoy these immensely.

7. The Scarlet Pimpernel - Baroness Orczy

No vampires or werewolves here; just plenty of adventure, suspense, and the most unexpected romance of all -- a woman learning to fall in love with her own husband. The story takes place during the French Revolution, when French aristocrats were being disem-headed on a regular and grisly basis. The only hope of the innocent upper class French people is the dashing Scarlet Pimpernel, a sort of Robin Hood figure who, instead of robbing the rich to give to the poor (or should I say taking BACK from the rich what they took from the poor), robs French artistocrats from under the noses of their would-be executioners.

So, why would I pick a French Revolution tome for lovers of Twilight to read? Because even I, the self-professed hater of all things romantic, melted into a puddle reading this book. It really is incredibly romantic. And on top of that, it's got one of the most suspenseful, surprising twist-endings in all of literature. Take a look at more books with gasp-inducing endings here, at the 10 most surprising endings in literature.

8. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

Do you know why I love Jane Eyre? And why I think the overwhelming majority of Twilight fans would love her too? She seems small, weak, and insubstantial; she's poor and practically friendless; she's plain (in fact, Jane was the first heroine in an English language novel to NOT be beautiful. God bless you, Charlotte Bronte). Yet, she's got a will of iron, and despite her physical disadvantages, she ends up having the last laugh. Huzzah to that. What woman would turn that down? Please.

Seriously though, if the Twilight series was the first lengthy work you've ever read, stretch your mind and give Jane Eyre a go. You won't be disappointed. There's a reason that it has been a classic since it was first published -- it's a damn good read.

 

9. any novels by Victoria Holt, but especially Menfreya in the Morning or Mistress of Mellyn

I can't believe I'm doing this: I'm not only going to admit in public that I have read practically everything Victoria Holt has written (and liked it! Gothic romance novels! I must be losing my grip), I'm going to suggest that Twi-hards who were especially drawn to the romance-riddled threesome of Bella, Edward, and Jacob read Ms. Holt as well.

I hate romance; and yet, the romantic situations in Ms. Holt's part Gothic, part mystery, part love story tomes were fascinating to me. My absolute favorites were Menfreya in the Morning and Mistress of Mellyn: both take place in England, both feature down-on-their luck young ladies who have more brains than beauty, and both have a decent amount of suspenseful adventure before the end.

10. Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story - Christopher Moore

Light-hearted vampire fun, San Francisco style from a talented and very witty author, this book is like The Reformed Vampire Support Group in its tongue-in-cheek humor, just from an older and more sophisticated perspective. In fact, I'd go so far as to recommend everything Mr. Moore has written, although Twi-hards will probably be drawn like moths to a flame mainly to the vampire-ish ones like this one.

One Big Extra!

I was finished with this top 10 list when, out of nowhere, I remembered a book that I haven't read for -- oh, it must be about 15 years , now -- that it's high time the younger set started sinking their teeth into: Erich Segal's Love Story.

If the desperate, doomed, passionate quality of Bella and Edward's romance lit your flame in Twilight, I'm begging you, find a copy of Love Story and read it today -- you won't regret it. The book is less than 250 pages but I guarantee, it will leave a serious impression on you. Unfortunately, it's one of those stories that the less you know about it, the better it is. And if you've seen the movie, go in and have your memory erased today without delay. Reading the book with your mind as a clean slate the first time around is worth it, trust me.

In case you Twi-hards are vascillating, I'll leave you with the first few sentences of Love Story to whet your appetite:

What can you say about a twenty-five year-old girl who died?

That she was beautiful. And brilliant. That she loved Mozart and Bach. And the Beatles. And me. Once, when she specifically lumped me with those musical types, I asked her what the order was, and she replied, smiling, "Alphabetical."

Did I leave out the book you are convinced all Twilight addicts should read and love? Let us know: leave your recommendations in the comment section below or direct your blood-thirsty thoughts to michellekerns@surewest.net