What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

Vampires Are Back: Dark, Funny & YA Recs


Listen Later

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bloodsuckers are back, baby. In this episode, Francesca joins Laura to dish on dark, gothic, funny, and YA vampire reads—with a special shout to Kindle Unlimited for budget-friendly bingeing.

You’ll hear why vampires are resurging (thanks, romantasy!), what’s new beyond the Black Dagger era, and exactly where to start if you want broody politics, murder-mystery shenanigans, or campus drama. Plus a quick nonfiction detour for Vampire Diaries superfans.

📚 Books Mentioned

A Bargain So Bloody by Vasilka Drake — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Romance, Enemies-to-Allies | KU ✅


Loving a Vampire’s Total Chaos by Aura Hayes — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Romcom, Murder Mystery | KU ✅


The Serpent’s Bride by Kathryn Ann Kingsley — Buy on Amazon | Gothic PNR, Mafia Politics, Dark Romance | KU ✅


Nocture by Karina Halle — Buy on Amazon | Noir PNR, Historical (1947 LA)


Blood Moon by Britney S. Lewis — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Vamps & Wolves, Campus Mystery


A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Forbidden Allies


The Last Vampire by Romina Garber — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Boarding School, Pride&Prejudice-ish |


I Accidentally Hooked Up with a Vampire by Jessica Cage — Buy on Amazon | PNR Romcom, Found Family | KU ✅


Road Trip with a Vampire by Jenna Levine — Buy on Amazon | Light PNR, Amnesia, Road Trip


Space Vampire by Ruby Dixon — Buy on Amazon | Sci-Fi PNR Novella, Forced Proximity | KU ✅


I Was Feeling Epic (Oral History of The Vampire Diaries) — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook | Audio ✅


Paperback Crush by Gabrielle Moss — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction, ‘80s/’90s Teen Lit |


Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook, Scream Franchise | Audio ✅


Welcome to the O.C. by Josh Schwatz, Stephanie Savage and Alan Sepinwall— Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook, TV Oral History | Audio ✅


⏱️ Time Stamps (topics)

[00:00] Intro & why Laura is a vampire-over-werewolf girly

[02:00] Life updates + Francesca’s 2026 Romanceopoly plans

[05:00] Why vampires are resurging (romantasy → PNR pipeline)

[06:30] Rec #1: A Bargain So Bloody (witch x vampire, enemies-to-allies)

[08:30] Rec #2: Loving a Vampire’s Total Chaos (romcom + murder case)

[10:00] Rec #3: The Serpent’s Bride (gothic mafia, morally gray MMC)

[13:00] Kindle Unlimited talk: borrowing limits & trad-to-KU notes

[14:00] Rec #4: Torn (LA noir, Black Dahlia atmosphere)

[16:00] YA lane & who actually reads it

[18:00] Rec #5: Blood Moon (vamps/wolves, campus mystery)

[20:00] Rec #6: Thirst (slayer + newly turned vamp)

[21:00] Rec #7: The Last Vampire (P&P energy, boarding school)

[21:30] Rec #8: I Accidentally Hooked Up with a Vampire (chaotic fun)

[22:30] Rec #9: Road Trip with a Vampire (amnesia + travel)

[23:30] Rec #10: Space Vampire (scared-sexy novella set)

[24:30] Nonfiction: I Was Feeling Epic (TVD oral history)

[26:00] More oral histories: Paperback Crush, Your Favorite Scary Movie, Welcome to the O.C.

[27:30] Where to find Francesca (Under the Covers Book Blog)

[27:50] Outro + blog CTA


Join the Conversation

Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)

Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next

Subscribe & leave a review!


Mentioned in this episode:

🎧 Try Audible Today

I love Audible for their original novellas, binge-worthy Plus Catalog (like Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series), and their amazing audiobook sales. Currently, Audible is offering a special promotion for new members and returning listeners.

Audible

Advertise with Us

Do you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.

Advertise With Us

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation ShowBy Laura R Yamin

  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4

4

62 ratings


More shows like What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

View all
What Should I Read Next? by Anne Bogel

What Should I Read Next?

5,166 Listeners

All the Books! by Book Riot

All the Books!

1,208 Listeners

Book Riot - The Podcast by Book Riot

Book Riot - The Podcast

1,005 Listeners

From the Front Porch by The Bookshelf Thomasville

From the Front Porch

1,212 Listeners

The Book Club Review by The Book Club Review

The Book Club Review

128 Listeners

Reading Glasses by Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara

Reading Glasses

1,899 Listeners

Bad On Paper by Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter

Bad On Paper

4,095 Listeners

Currently Reading by Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb

Currently Reading

1,723 Listeners

Sarah's Bookshelves Live by Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves

Sarah's Bookshelves Live

777 Listeners

The Stacks by Traci Thomas

The Stacks

1,777 Listeners

Fated Mates - Romance Books for Novel People by Fated Mates

Fated Mates - Romance Books for Novel People

866 Listeners

Literally Reading by Literally Reading

Literally Reading

286 Listeners

Book Talk, etc. by Tina @tbretc and Hannah @hanpickedbooks

Book Talk, etc.

631 Listeners

Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club by iHeartPodcasts and Hello Sunshine

Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club

104 Listeners

Zero to Well-Read by Book Riot

Zero to Well-Read

140 Listeners