Vampire Legends in Contemporary American Culture: What Becomes a Legend Most by William Patrick Day

This book looks at the role of vampires in American culture. After a short introduction to the topic (bringing vampires out of folklore and into fiction, and from there into the twentieth century), this book focuses on twentieth century materials, ranging from film to television to novels, and focusing most (but not exclusively) on American works. Day suggests that three main modes of vampire stories exist: liberation stories, in which vampires have been sexualized and turned into the protagonist; horror stories, in which vampires are no longer the boogeymen of the past, but harbingers of a terrifying future; and slayer stories, which turn the focus back to the vampire slayers. The book gives good readings, and offers a basic theoretical framework--it wasn't bad, but nothing to knock your socks off, either.

Bossypants by Tina Fey

This book offers a rollicking good time. Not only is Fey hilarious (and that's no surprise for anyone who's seen her on SNL or 30 Rock), but she also provides a lot worth thinking about in terms of sexism, the relationship between politics and entertainment, stand up comedy, and leadership. You can easily understand why Fey has had such success as a writer after reading this book: she moves gracefully from one incident to another, not always keeping a strict chronology, but always entertaining and writing well. Just another reason to keep watching 30 Rock.