A struggling artist accidentally ends up with a roommate who sucks . . . blood
My Roommate Is a Vampire — Jenna Levine
Welcome to Reading Under the Radar, where every Tuesday you’ll receive a book recommendation right to your inbox that hasn’t hit any major lists or book clubs but definitely deserves to be read.
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If you’ve been following this newsletter for a while, you know I tend to lean on the dark, heavy, and upsetting books — what can I say, if it doesn’t make me cry or scream, I don’t want it! But sometimes we need fun novels that are ridiculous and uproarious and silly and also heartfelt. This is one of those novels. (If romance isn’t your thing, try this essay collection instead, or my favorite read of 2023, which is decidedly the opposite of a feel-good happy story but necessary reading.)
I also want to promote all genres, not just my favorites, so everyone has recommendations no matter their reading tastes, and one of my 2024 goals is to read more genres I’m not familiar with, like romance and supernatural!
My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
Content warnings included in the footnote of this newsletter.1
What It’s About
Cassie is desperate for a new place to live — she can barely afford rent, and her landlord is kicking her out after she’s late paying, again. So when she sees a Craigslist ad looking for a roommate for a shockingly low price in a prime area of Chicago, she figures it’s probably a scam but worth a shot.
And that’s how she ends up the new roommate of Frederick J. Fitzwilliam, a man who seems like he stepped out of the nineteenth century and has an apartment decorated to match. But Cassie knows with her artist’s salary (practically nothing), she has no other options, and he at least lets her decorate her own room and leaves her fruit when he’s away on business.
But of course, when she walks in on him and his friend eating dinner — bags of blood — she realizes she’s living with someone actually from another century. There are vampires, and they live among us! But Cassie isn’t scared, and she and Frederick get along well. He really needs help assimilating into twenty-first century life, so she agrees to help him.
Why You Should Read It
When I tell you I flew through this book . . . it was the fastest I’ve read a book in a long time and gave me that little-kid feeling of wanting to stay up late to read “just one more chapter!” That’s a great way to start the new year, IMO, and will have you ahead in your reading goals from the beginning!
I will say, the book’s conflict begins rather late into its plot, and a major plot point is wrapped up rather quickly (and very easily), it didn’t discolor my enjoyment overall, and I’d still enthusiastically recommend. And even if you’re not a romance reader, give this one a shot for its fun and silly premise. Who knows — maybe there are vampires in Chicago after all?
Do you have a 2024 reading goal? Whether it’s to read more books, more widely in genres, or more diversely among author backgrounds, let me know what your plans are for reading in the new year!
My 2023 genre breakdown was pretty split among lots of books, but I was surprised I didn’t read as much nonfiction, particularly memoir, as I had in the past. I’d also like to try more historical in 2024, particularly focusing on eras that aren’t well-represented in books (basically anything that’s not World War II–focused). Any recommendations for me?
Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations:
Read about the dark history of an Oregon desert town and the ghosts that haunt it
Read about a historical family inheritance that comes with a catch
I also love hearing from readers! Let me know what kinds of books you’re looking for that you’d like to see featured, or send in your most recent five-star read (or two) and get a recommendation just for you. You might be featured in an upcoming newsletter! Reply to this email to get in touch!
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Content warnings include descriptions of blood and scenes where it is consumed.
That sounds like a good time!
I've got a continuing goal (since 2020, when my goal was 20 books) to read 24 new-to-me books during the year. It's not a difficult goal, but I find that without it I dedicate my time to things that require less effort (staring for hours at my phone, playing video games, etc.). Cheers!
My two reading goals are 1) to get through 30 books and 2) to really whittle down the TBR. I’ve had stuff piled up for years that need to be cleared.