Books by and for independent women

Christmas Gift Guide: Bloodsuckers and Twihards

In past posts, you may have spied us lusting over Zillah from Lost Souls, or debating our favourite vampire novels. It’s hard not to get over excited when it comes to Vampires, so let’s keep it clean and simple…

I’ll hold my hands up right now and say I haven’t read the Twilight Saga and I haven’t seen the films. However, it’s a testament to the insane popularity of Stephanie Meyer’s vamp-versus-werewolf-teen-love-tryst-athons that I know more about them than I do some books I have read. Plus it doesn’t stop me being jealous of the awesome gifts available to the many Twihards out there. For a start, there’s this lush limited edition DVD memory box of New Moon, which has gorgeous red velveteen lining and doubles up as a vanity case! There were only 5000 made, so this really is a special gift for the Twilight fan in your life. For social occasions and sleepovers, there are some great games out there too: a Twilight Board Game and a special edition of the popular movie quiz game, Scene It (Twilight Saga).

If you are hosting a vamp-themed party, this Vampire Bites cook book might come in handy. It’s currently only available from the US, but apparently the Twilight-inspired recipes are to die for…

Personally, when it comes to vampires, it’s Lestat that gets my blood pumping. For something sensuous, spine chilling and full of unforgettable imagery, spend a night or three with the Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice, starting with Interview With A Vampire.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula is of course the most famous of all vampire novels, and not without reason. It was one of the first books I received as a gift when I was younger – it scared the hell out of me and I loved it. This Vintage Classics edition is tastefully blood-spattered and only £3.95 on Amazon. Or for a more modern and unusual take on this infamous tale, there’s The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova which combines the supernatural, historical fact, vampire legend and libraries (it made Jess Haigh’s list of 3 Favourite Scary Books).

You can also find some beautiful and unusual Dracula related items in our Bite Me feature that was compiled to celebrate Bram Stoker’s birthday. It includes charms, vials and the coolest hipflask holder I’ve ever seen.

And finally, in tribute to Ingrid Pitt (RIP), we have Countess Dracula: Special Edition dvd for those late night hunger pangs and wishes of eternal beauty. Swoon.

Alex Herod