Why am I passionate about this?

Ever since I was abandoned in the woods, and raised by bats. I’ve thought vampires were pretty cool. I’ve never met one outside of government, but they are a unique part of folklore. A spiritual throwback to how pagan beliefs were affected by Christianity, including the fear of losing your soul, and an echo of physical fears; death, blood loss, and disease. To me, vampires represent even more; the predatory mentality found in humanity, and things we wish to ignore about ourselves. Being concerned about the way humanity in general responds to shady and unaccountable powers, it seemed the natural next step was to write about mystery-solving vampires.


I wrote

Like Father, Like Son: Idle Hands, Book 1

By Michael B. Chikondi,

Book cover of Like Father, Like Son: Idle Hands, Book 1

What is my book about?

After fifty years in the custody of his ‘Aunt,’ Sinjen Carlyle is allowed out for New Year’s Eve. He spends…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Carmilla

Michael B. Chikondi Why did I love this book?

Although it’s a vampire classic, a surprising number of people don’t know about Carmilla. It’s a little older than Dracula and its sapphic themes are as they are.

What’s fun about it though, is the setting and small number of characters. Personally, I had no idea what schloss was, but it’s a castle, in this case a lonely one. Poor sheltered Laura describes her life, and the few people she knows, in careful detail, before it’s all turned upside down by their pretty new guest.

By J. Sheridan Le Fanu,

Why should I read it?

7 authors picked Carmilla as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In an isolated castle deep in the Austrian forest, Laura leads a solitary life with only her ailing father for company. Until one moonlit night, a horse-drawn carriage crashes into view, carrying an unexpected guest - the beautiful Carmilla.

So begins a feverish friendship between Laura and her mysterious, entrancing companion. But as Carmilla becomes increasingly strange and volatile, prone to eerie nocturnal wanderings, Laura finds herself tormented by nightmares and growing weaker by the day...

Pre-dating Dracula by twenty-six years, Carmilla is the original vampire story, steeped in sexual tension and gothic romance.


Book cover of Dracula

Michael B. Chikondi Why did I love this book?

I have to recommend this, it’s vampire law.

With no individual protagonist, Dracula follows Dracula’s attempt to move to London and eat people. As well as his desperate attempt to escape after discovery. This we know, but, did you know, the book is a time capsule.

Taking you from Victorian Whitby to Eastern Europe. It covers; the cultural importance of marriage, the growing influence of America on British shores, the medical practices of the time, at the dawn of psychology. And probably hitting at a time of renewed interest in vampires, as humanity made the leap from the old world to the new.

And if Victorian newspapers were as eloquent as the report of the shipwreck and storm, I think we should tell modern journalists that we expect more.

By Bram Stoker,

Why should I read it?

28 authors picked Dracula as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 17.

What is this book about?

'The very best story of diablerie which I have read for many years' Arthur Conan Doyle

A masterpiece of the horror genre, Dracula also probes identity, sanity and the dark corners of Victorian sexuality and desire. It begins when Jonathan Harker visits Transylvania to help Count Dracula purchase a London house, and makes horrifying discoveries in his client's castle. Soon afterwards, disturbing incidents unfold in England - an unmanned ship is wrecked; strange puncture marks appear on a young woman's neck; a lunatic asylum inmate raves about the imminent arrival of his 'Master' - and a determined group of adversaries…


Book cover of Interview with the Vampire

Michael B. Chikondi Why did I love this book?

It’s fun and poetic. I don’t think her vampires have the most consistent lore, and I don’t personally take the view that vampires dated any further back than the birth of Christianity, but she’s a better writer than me. By quite a lot, I should think.

Also, Lestat is in it, and Claudia, they’re fun vampires. I’m not sure I agree that vampires are asexual, but then again it was the 80s, and if her vampires weren’t then issues like AIDS might have been a worry.

I do actually like these books, to clarify. I was debating, because I excluded Twilight on the basis of having vegetarian vamps, that the lack of effectiveness of crosses should exclude these vampires. I’ve let it slide, even if they could be more damned.

By Anne Rice,

Why should I read it?

19 authors picked Interview with the Vampire as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Anne Rice, this sensuously written spellbinding classic remains 'the most successful vampire story since Bram Stoker's Dracula' (The Times)

In a darkened room a young man sits telling the macabre and eerie story of his life - the story of a vampire, gifted with eternal life, cursed with an exquisite craving for human blood.

When Interview with the Vampire was published the Washington Post said it was a 'thrilling, strikingly original work of the imagination . . . sometimes horrible, sometimes beautiful, always unforgettable'. Now, more than forty years since its release, Anne…


Book cover of Vampire Hunter D Volume 1

Michael B. Chikondi Why did I love this book?

I love this one, a graphic novel. Vampire hunting stories, set in a world emerging from three hundred years of vampiric rule. Our hero, D, is a Damphir (it’s not so easy to find good Damphir characters in media. Lore accuracy is basically impossible, but if it was, it would be D.) A vampire hunter, weighing his humanity against the value of vampire life. 

Lots of fighting, lasers, robot horses, and wide-brimmed hats, and did I mention it was illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano? So it’s just visually stunning. I’ve honestly loved this since I heard of it as a teenager. Made it so much more fun that I recognised Yoshitaka Amano’s artwork from the Final Fantasy 9 games, which I also love.

By Hideyuki Kikuchi, Yoshitaka Amano (illustrator), Kevin Leahy (translator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Vampire Hunter D Volume 1 as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

12,090 A.D. It is a dark time for the world. Humanity is just crawling out from under three hundred years of domination by the race of vampires known as the Nobility. The war against the vampires has taken its toll; cities lie in ruin, the countryside is fragmented into small villages and fiefdoms that still struggle against nightly raids by the fallen vampires - and the remnants of their genetically manufactured demons and werewolves. Every village wants a Hunter - one of the warriors who have pledged their laser guns and their swords to the eradication of the Nobility. But…


Book cover of Hellsing Volume 1

Michael B. Chikondi Why did I love this book?

These are so fun, violent (especially if you watch the animated version) but it’s full of cool characters. It’s scary enough to be edgy, but not scary enough to make you paranoid there’s someone in the house before bedtime. I’d say these are fairly classical vampires. When they fight or Ally with the Catholic Church they’re powerful opponents/players.

Not only does it have classic action manga…things? (Will I sound smarter if I say tropes?) It’s also got its cute interactions between characters outside of work, showing their relationships, humour, the organisation, and their allies. It’s over the top, but what’s the point in vampires if they can’t be dramatic and moody about things?

By Kohta Hirano,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hellsing Volume 1 as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

There's a secret organization somewhere in England created to defend the Queen and country from monsters of all sorts. Yes, it's hard to believe in this day and age... but really, isn't this the true age of monsters? Enter Hellsing, an agency, long in tooth, with the experience, know-how, and... er... equipment to handle the problems that arise when vampires, ghouls, and the like take on these dark forces. "What equipment?" you may say. How about another vampire, and a big pistol loaded with special silver bullets? That oughta do the trick. But what really knocks 'em dead is the…


Explore my book 😀

Like Father, Like Son: Idle Hands, Book 1

By Michael B. Chikondi,

Book cover of Like Father, Like Son: Idle Hands, Book 1

What is my book about?

After fifty years in the custody of his ‘Aunt,’ Sinjen Carlyle is allowed out for New Year’s Eve. He spends it in Whitby, meeting Jack, a thief, and Carol, an enterprising madam.

He takes cover from the rain in tea house, where a woman catches his eye, plain and proper. The very picture of his cousin in her youth. Miriam Green sticks in his mind. When his ‘aunt’ Margaret suggests he should find someone to make him feel human again, he decides to get to know her better. Unexpectedly, Carlyle has a taste of freedom. Can he entice Miriam with a little mystery, while keeping his own secrets? And when Jack is attacked, can they find the culprit, or is this above his pay grade?

Book cover of Carmilla
Book cover of Dracula
Book cover of Interview with the Vampire

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Quick Bright Things

By Michael Golding,

Book cover of Quick Bright Things

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Why am I passionate about this?

It took me awhile to understand that I was on a spiritual path. I started out as an actor, and working in the theater brought me joy. But as time passed, and I turned to writing novels, the same questions kept emerging: “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” I began to see that I was on a spiritual journey. With A Poet of the Invisible World, I finally felt ready to write about that journey. Nouri’s adventures chart the twists and turns—as well as the deep rewards—of the spiritual path. It’s a book that’s very close to my heart.

Michael's book list on accompanying you on your spiritual journey

What is my book about?

This delightful fable about the Golden Age of Broadway unfolds the warm story of Artie, a young rehearsal pianist, Joe, a visionary director, and Carrie, his crackerjack Girl Friday, as they shepherd a production of a musical version of A Midsummer Night's Dream towards opening night. 

Drawn from the personal experiences of its author, it's a glittering love letter to the Great White Wayand all the crazy, gifted people who keep it humming.

Quick Bright Things

By Michael Golding,

What is this book about?

This is a delightful fable about the Golden Age of Broadway. It follows Artie, a young rehearsal pianist, Joe, a visionary director, and Carrie, his crackerjack Girl Friday, as they shepherd a production of a musical version of A Midsummer Night's Dream towards opening night.

Drawn from the personal experiences of its author, this is a glittering love letter to the Great White Way, and all the crazy, gifted people who keep it humming.


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in vampires, Japan, and Count Dracula?

Vampires 305 books
Japan 517 books
Count Dracula 18 books