Oh, shit, someone's going to write that book now.

::making notes...::

In trying to be fair, much as it pains me, I wonder if Laurell wasn't referring to the vampire romance subgenre-- which, even there, she DID NOT PIONEER IT, but still, I wonder if that's what she was referring to.

I agree with Barb here (including the 'much as it pains me' part). I don't think it's the 'vampire genre' Hamilton is claiming so much as the wisecracking, butt-kicking spunky female protaganist battling the supernatural. Of course, in this case, Buffy (the movie) was first, but only by a year, and we all know how long a book is 'in production' before its publication date. I remember discovering Anita Blake with the sixth book. I burned right through it, bought the previous five and devoured those too, then raced to the bookstore to find similar books--and there weren't any (or any that I could find, at least). Now they're a dime a dozen, but back then, not so much. I think that's the genre Hamilton is claiming, not vampires in general.

Evidently Jes Battis wrote a book on chosen families in Buffy and Angel.

Yes, and some sort of Farscape thing too...

Lori Herter wrote a trilogy of vampire romances back in the early '90s, predating Hamilton by a few years, I believe.

Wow, i just put a hold on _The Strain_ at my local library and there's over 100 holds on 15 copies. (I put a hold on the audio cd version...only 15 holds there. Guess most of the target audience doesn't listen to books on cd while they commute to work.) Also lots of holds on _Hunger Games_. Clearly very popular, can't believe i hadn't heard of them until here! Thanks buffistas, you have filled my dance card of creepy things to listen to while in the car.

That reminds me-- are there any librarians about?

I need to make library amends. I am one of the Buffistas who is not allowed in the library due to accidentally keeping books too long. I haven't been in over eight years. But there is a branch five minute walk from here and I feel maybe I can start to take out one book at a time. Problem is, I can't even remember if I still have books out. If I do, I can;t find them. I can't afford to pay, say more than a couple of hundred dollars. Certainly not the thousands that would be fines for eight years. Do they have payment plans?

Sophia, I thought they generally stopped charging once they reached the cost of replacing the book?

Generally, if you confess your sins and an earnest wish to make amends, the library will be forgiving. Lost books they will probably fine you for (maybe $20-$50 each, depending on what they are), but mere late fees may be waived at this point. And yes they will probably make a payment plan if the fine is substantial.

Most libraries have a cap on fines -- X dollars per item. They do so they can charge a replacement fee. Basically after so many days they assume lost.

Sophia, I thought they generally stopped charging once they reached the cost of replacing the book?

I haven't been in so long, I don't remember. When I was young, the library was pretty much next door, so I lived there. The library ladies loved me and my reading habit so much that they always waived my fines and the book limits, and I got in the habit of taking out 20 or more books at a time like it was my own personal library. Then, in my twenties, I got too depressed to return the books and now it is sort of the last place I have to make amends with as I have paid off all the creditors that I didn;t pay due to depression. I would love to give them thousands of dollars just because the library and the "library ladies" (we only had one librarian, the rest were staff) was so important to me growing up.

I am hoping it is like flea says, and that the honest desire to make amends and pay what I can helps.