Reading with a Bite

Friday, March 26, 2010

Bitter Things

Andrew Valentine has an erotic vampire novel out - Bitter Things.

I listened to his radio interview today, and I thought it was interesting. The actual interview can be viewed here.

The interview was pretty interesting - a little bit scattered, but I think that's quite normal with radio interviews.

Early vampire myth and culture was talked about, religion, psychology, and Western though was discussed.

It was interesting to hear the theory that vampires are vessels for our fears and concerns; Dracula was for xenophobia, True Blood for minority groups, etc. Vampires often become what the culture is concerned with.

Being a Jung fan, I was delighted when he was mentioned as well. Referencing Jung's Modern Man in Search of a Soul, what people can't find in religion, they turn to fiction - which may be why vampires are so popular right now. It was mentioned that in times of turmoil, confusion, and conflict, and interest in the paranormal peaks.

Towards the end of the interview, the feminization of the vampire myth also came into discussion. According to Valentine, 22% of household have women bread-makers, 1/3 of married households include women who are better educated and only 40% of college grads are men. It was theorized that vampire novels are somewhat of a rejection of what choices of men women have.

The interview touches on some old vampire tales and myths, talks a bit about certain vampire fiction and cultural implications, and discusses a bit about why our culture is so interested in vampires.

I would recommend listening to it. The commercials are pretty horrible though. I believe one ad for a flower shop used the description "very great" or something odd. The ads were oddly description. And the hardware store jingle sounded like it belonged on some of my old cassette tape radio recordings. It seemed like the radio host also kept calling Valentine's book "Bitter Rites" (or rights?).

I hope to get my hands on the book soon. Apparently Valentine has a Masters in Psychology from the New School of Social Research. That right there makes me a bit intrigued.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Coming soon

Coming Soon:

Guest post from Alrene Russo, author of The Real Twilight and founder of Bite Me magazine.

Book reviews

and probably some funny mockery about a certain "vampire" trend...

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Back from the Grave?

I've been completely ashamed and I haven't even checked my email in the past 5 months. Yikes!

Things have been quite crazy with work, family, and being married and all.

I have neglected this blog and all of you wonderful people.

I'm thinking I need to start getting back in the swing of things!

I hope not to disappoint and be up and about soon enough.

I hope you all haven't abandoned me!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Almost undead these last couple of days

Excuse the absence - I have been sick in bed these last couple of days and completely useless.

I have several things coming up, including a review of Bound to Shadows and of Blood Ties Season 2.

You would think I would have more time being home sick, but all I have accomplished is watching the Office Season 4 and part of the first season of Psych - which has already had 4 actors that also appeared in Blood Ties.

Diary of an Amateur Vampirologist posted a funny video on his Blog... check out the video below:

And, on a completely non-blog related note, if you are an Etsy or a Jewelry buyer or seller, I would appreciate if you could fill out my survey - just 10 questions, should take you 5 minutes.

Thanks :)

Monday, November 2, 2009

I think I just may be a vampire book whore...

Excuse me for the language... but I have been thinking about my literary choices recently. It turns out I am easily pleased, even with bad books. There are not a lot of vampire books I have read and enjoyed, even those that I have "hated". Even though some of these books were extremely stereotypical, shallow, and predictable I was kept entertained.

So does this make me a vampire book whore or a vampire book glutton? Or maybe just a fan of vampire romance? Actually... I don't think I am ready to come to terms with that last question.

Give me a vampire book with a female protagonist, a mystery to be solved, a little action, a hunky tortured vampire, and a little sex and I am pretty much satisfied.... yikes I'm easy.

It seems that as long as I can use the story line and the hot vamp as "fantasy" material I am a happy camper and will keep on reading the book. *Grimace*

Or maybe my love of vampire books is similar to that of some people's love of reality TV? Or Soap Operas?

Or perhaps more accurately; junk food. It tastes so good, yet it's just so bad for you.