I Was Feeling Epic: An Oral History of ‘The Vampire Diaries’

In this charming time capsule, Entertainment Weekly editor Highfill recounts the twists and turns of the hit CW show The Vampire Diaries. Pitched as a soapy, sexy alternative to Twilight and True Blood—instigators of the 2000s vampire craze—The Vampire Diaries was an instant hit that spawned a ravenous fandom and helped mold the CW network, according to Highfill. Through interviews with the cast and crew, Highfill assembles a nostalgic, warts-and-all history of the show’s production. Producers recall the commitment it took to persuade the network to green-light the series, and the writers discuss balancing fans’ expectations with the needs of the network. Actors, including the stars who portrayed the show’s blood-sucking love triangle (Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, and Paul Wesley), chime in with anecdotes from the set, like off-camera bonding at cast parties and the heartbreak of saying goodbye after a character was killed off. Readers will feel like they’re sitting down with a group of close friends who finish each other’s stories and casually spill secrets. This will thrill the show’s dedicated fans. (Sept.)