Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Dracula Daily: Reading Bram Stoker's Dracula in Real Time With Commentary by the Internet

Rate this book
The wildly popular email newsletter that has been described as an "internet sensation" ( The New York Times ) and "the coolest book club on the internet" ( Fast Company ) is breathing new life into Bram Stoker's classic vampire novel. Now, the internet phenomenon   can be experienced in this deluxe hardcover book that includes hilarious commentary and artwork from  Dracula Daily  readers. 

Thanks to  Dracula Daily,  the email newsletter that delivers the classic vampire novel in bite-sized chunks, "an old story about the undead is getting a new life" ( NPR ). Combining Stoker's original text alongside reader-generated content, this version of Dracula is a fun and immersive experience, perfect for vampire scholars, Dracula Daily  readers, and newcomers to the story.

Inside, you'll find a rich selection of artwork and memes from the newsletter's hundreds of thousands of subscribers. From comics celebrating Dracula's famous wall-climbing ability to armchair analysis of the novel's complicated love triangles, the witty commentary and colorful fan art brings a unique twist to the classic tale. 

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 19, 2023

210 people are currently reading
3605 people want to read

About the author

Bram Stoker

2,640 books5,862 followers
Irish-born Abraham Stoker, known as Bram, of Britain wrote the gothic horror novel Dracula (1897).

The feminist Charlotte Mathilda Blake Thornely Stoker at 15 Marino crescent, then as now called "the crescent," in Fairview, a coastal suburb of Dublin, Ireland, bore this third of seven children. The parents, members of church of Ireland, attended the parish church of Saint John the Baptist, located on Seafield road west in Clontarf with their baptized children.

Stoker, an invalid, started school at the age of seven years in 1854, when he made a complete and astounding recovery. Of this time, Stoker wrote, "I was naturally thoughtful, and the leisure of long illness gave opportunity for many thoughts which were fruitful according to their kind in later years."

After his recovery, he, a normal young man, even excelled as a university athlete at Trinity college, Dublin form 1864 to 1870 and graduated with honors in mathematics. He served as auditor of the college historical society and as president of the university philosophical society with his first paper on "Sensationalism in Fiction and Society."

In 1876, while employed as a civil servant in Dublin, Stoker wrote a non-fiction book (The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland, published 1879) and theatre reviews for The Dublin Mail, a newspaper partly owned by fellow horror writer J. Sheridan Le Fanu. His interest in theatre led to a lifelong friendship with the English actor Henry Irving. He also wrote stories, and in 1872 "The Crystal Cup" was published by the London Society, followed by "The Chain of Destiny" in four parts in The Shamrock.

In 1878 Stoker married Florence Balcombe, a celebrated beauty whose former suitor was Oscar Wilde. The couple moved to London, where Stoker became business manager (at first as acting-manager) of Irving's Lyceum Theatre, a post he held for 27 years. The collaboration with Irving was very important for Stoker and through him he became involved in London's high society, where he met, among other notables, James McNeil Whistler, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In the course of Irving's tours, Stoker got the chance to travel around the world.

The Stokers had one son, Irving Noel, who was born on December 31, 1879.

People cremated the body of Bram Stoker and placed his ashes placed in a display urn at Golders green crematorium. After death of Irving Noel Stoker in 1961, people added his ashes to that urn. Despite the original plan to keep ashes of his parents together, after death, people scattered ashes of Florence Stoker at the gardens of rest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bram_Stoker

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
385 (49%)
4 stars
291 (37%)
3 stars
72 (9%)
2 stars
18 (2%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
Profile Image for destiny ♡ howling libraries.
2,002 reviews6,201 followers
August 18, 2023
"... Dracula is really about a Victorian D&D party going full murderhobo on a megalomaniacal vampire supervillain as revenge for vamping their polycule sweetheart."

I posted my full thoughts on the story itself in a review for Dracula here, but as far as Dracula Daily goes, I absolutely loved this way of telling the story. Not only do I think the idea of putting everything in chronological order is fantastic, but the memes and comments in the margins were a trip and I laughed out loud at a lot of them. I even followed the link in the author's note to view more of the posts, and I could spend days down that rabbit hole.

If you or someone in your life likes Dracula and appreciates the inherent rampant bisexual chaos this classic holds, definitely grab a copy of Dracula Daily.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.

———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog
Profile Image for Athena.
722 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2023
Ok, that was fun. I was vaguely aware of Dracula Daily but when I saw this available on NetGalley, I had to get involved. I loves me some Dracula and so anything that familiarizes the public with the original text is ok by me. The cartoons and reactions from people discovering the plot in real time were hilarious. It's wonderful to see the passion it aroused in readers and gives me a taste of what it must have been like during the heyday of serial publication where everyone was experiencing a story in pieces at the same time and discussing it.

I'm conflicted in my feelings about the rearranging of the book but again, anything that gets people interested is good. The only other issue I had was that some of the comments people made about the characters and Bram Stoker are just unrealistic modern projections of how people should have (and apparently should ALWAYS have, no matter the century, no excuses) behaved. I hate to break this to you, but dead European white males gonna dead European white male.

Thank you to NetGalley for my free ebook.
Profile Image for Reading_ Tamishly.
5,302 reviews3,467 followers
September 24, 2023
I wish this book included more illustrations and pictures. It’s an amazing compilation of all the commentary and fun comics from “Dracula Daily”.

It’s informative, fun and entertaining as it promises.

However, do take your time to get the most out of this compilation more specifically if you’re a “Dracula” fan.

Thank you, Andrews McMeel Publishing, for the advance reading copy.
Profile Image for Athena.
32 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2023
Wow, I sure hope my good friend Jonathan Harker has a better year next year!
Profile Image for Fi.
147 reviews
December 31, 2024
AFTER THREE YEARS OF TRYING I HAVE FINALLY FINISHED DRACULA DAILY!!! Please clap

Listen, it’s a classic for a reason. It’s full of horror and scares that hit even knowing about Dracula through pop culture. There are of course some less savory ideas and language (period typical), but I absolutely loved the story and the characters. Lucy Westenra, Quincy Morris, Johnathan Harker and Mina Harker Murray I would die for youuuuuuuuuu
Profile Image for Amy H. Sturgis.
Author 42 books405 followers
November 6, 2025
I have read and taught Dracula many times. This, however, was the first year that I took part in the Dracula Daily community. Reading the remixed text (as the documents are organized in “real time” per their dates) with added commentary and insights from other readers was a delight. I thoroughly enjoyed engaging with the story in this fresh new way!
Profile Image for Renata.
2,922 reviews437 followers
January 29, 2024
Dracula, as many have recently discovered, is a weird and fun book! This edition is extra weird and fun. I wish it had even more margin jokes/art but what it did have was great.
Profile Image for Eforw.
111 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2025
It was a really fun idea, but it takes a really long time. There are weeks without an update and then you get either a very short or long paragraph. I wish I could have enjoyed it more
Profile Image for Luci.
161 reviews
June 18, 2023
As someone that probably hasn’t read Dracula since high school, I was thrilled when Dracula Daily first came about. I admit, I didn’t follow as closely the first time around, but the whole idea was genius. Take a classic novel that everyone thinks they know because of countless retellings and shows and share it with an audience in the corresponding days.

The brilliance of it is reading Dracula in little bites (yes, I went there). I love the little headers and the running commentary throughout the novel. It never feels like the commentary takes over which is a special balance. There are many sections where there is quite a stretch before reader commentary or, for lack of a better word, fan art. I also think a strength is that the commentaries are a mix of jokes and well-thought-out points. There are so many aspects of the novel that get lost in the adaptations, especially the strength of the characters.

Re-reading this after years and getting to get a laugh while reading just makes me know this is going to be the perfect gift to share with my Mina from her Lucy.
Profile Image for Victoria ✮⋆˙.
1,112 reviews128 followers
December 25, 2023
Second year I’ve read Dracula daily! The community interaction and takes and theories really just up the original story to another level!! I will be reading literally every year if I can, truly such a good format for the novel.
Profile Image for Gerrick.
119 reviews
November 6, 2025
I can hardly believe it's already November 6th! What a wild ride this has been.

THE DAILY NEWSLETTER

Dracula Daily is an email serialization of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire novel Dracula that delivers each dated piece of the novel on the exact calendar day on which it is set, so you can read the story in “real time” alongside the characters. Since the novel is structured as a series of dated letters, diary entries, and newspaper clippings, the newsletter sends each entry on the corresponding calendar date between May 3rd and November 6th. The basic idea is simple: read Dracula as if it’s happening live over six months.

The pacing isn't great when read serially as a newsletter. There are stretches when nothing happens for days, followed by several days during which large chunks of plot unfold. But I guess that's the whole point of the experience.

THIS BOOK EDITION

This book version is even better: Dracula Daily is combined with witty internet commentary (a blend of humor, funny shitposts, and thoughtful insights), delightful memes, and beautiful fan arts from Tumblr. All contributors are credited in the back of the book and whenever their work appears alongside the original text. I also enjoyed the little headers at the beginning of each day. It's an experience like no other. Absolutely unique, fun, and immersive.

THE NOVEL ITSELF

This was my first time reading Dracula, though, like most of us, I’m already familiar with its lore. The novel is like a window into the culture of another era, offering commentary on science, superstition, and gender roles. Alongside Le Fanu’s Carmilla and Polidori’s The Vampyre, it gives great context for where the modern vampire myth came from.

The story is richly creepy, with frequent, unexpected moments of humor. The language is a little hard to understand at times because of the late-Victorian English (not to mention some dialects), but I think that only made it more interesting.

While it does feature a vampire who feeds on blood, the central narrative follows a group of friends who unite to triumph over evil. The protagonists form an intriguing group: brave yet reluctant to embrace superstition, men who will do anything for a fair lady (a woman whose intelligence commands respect). The character of Dracula may not dominate every scene, but vampirism drives the novel’s action. Like other Gothic novels, the scene and atmosphere are set very well, so you feel immersed in the story. The pacing, however, falls short. It starts off pretty strong but loses momentum in the middle. Though I stayed intrigued, the ending felt rushed and ultimately unsatisfying. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book despite its faults.

THE PODCAST VERSION

Bloody FM Podcast Network produced an audio-drama adaptation of Dracula. Using similar concept as Daily Dracula, Re: Dracula is a chronological, day-by-day audio-drama adaptation featuring a full cast and immersive sound design. An equally fantastic production that I use to make my reading more immersive.

My Kindle highlights here.
Profile Image for Tara.
411 reviews
September 23, 2023
So this is fun! I was introduced to Dracula Daily last year (however, I failed and stopped reading sometime around.. August?) and got the announcement in my inbox it was going to be a book. ?? What? How could they make a book out of something that was already a book, just rearranged in chronological order? This is much more than "just Dracula, but in Chronological Order;" it's fully annotated with the sort of title descriptions you get when today's entry of Dracula (the novel) hits your inbox, along with comments from people who've read it over the last year or two as so many of us were, each day, fresh in the e-mail, a bunch of memes and jokes we shared with each other (or in my case, one friend put into the group chat like a meme sommelier). This is honestly really cool, both as someone who was there when a lot of these jokes were dropping and I think anyone who is interested to read Dracula in the future but is intimidated by its age. It's not really hard to read as it is, but I think the occasional jokes and summaries of what is going on will help make it accessible too for people who may not be used to reading older language, are ESL, or who honestly just want to have a good time.
Profile Image for Charlotte.
14 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2024
It is so much fun to read this classic novel based on the dates of each entry. It takes a little under a year (May to November) and still keeps you hooked! I heard the book version (as opposed to the email list version I read) also has commentary and memes from people who read it this way before. It's really fun to see what people think of the story and discuss it with friends as you go. Like watching a television episode every week and theory crafting about what comes next!

The story itself is also really good. They take the time to really get you in the minds of the characters and make you care about them. There were some old era ideas, science, and motivation that were uncomfortable (with some sexist and racist comments in the worst cases), but I really enjoyed everything else. The ending is sudden and a little anticlimactic, but I'm really glad it was a happy ending. A must-read for anyone who likes vampires and wants to see what they're REALLY like.
Profile Image for Shannon.
402 reviews4 followers
November 7, 2024
This was the first year I actually finished Dracula Daily, though I think it was the third year I subscribed to the email newsletter. I credit reading it through the physical book, with the included jokes and pictures, and the lovely ribbon to mark my place, with making my finish possible. Some of the entries are just too long to sit and read on a computer screen (for me).

I love Dracula, and reading everything chronologically makes for a different experience. Just a slightly different emphasis on certain parts, especially the voyage of the Demeter.

If you've never read Dracula, or it's been awhile, I highly recommend doing it this way next year - starts in May!
Profile Image for Sydney.
135 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2025
I like that it is spaced out by the journal entries and the format was fun to read! Dracula itself wasn't my favorite book to read and I had to really force myself to read it a few times.
Profile Image for emily.
242 reviews7 followers
November 6, 2025
Six months of Dracula is a really fun way to read this book for the first time. I plan to reread the original next year!
Profile Image for Christine.
539 reviews3 followers
November 7, 2025
Year 3: it’s November 7 again and today marks my third reading of Dracula Daily. It’s amazing how I still pick up on new things with each reading. Thoroughly enjoyable and already looking forward to doing it again.

Year 2: I just finished reading Dracula in real time for the second year in a row. I see this becoming an annual thing. I picked up missed details this time around and appreciate the humor much more. Additionally, this time I had the physical Dracula Daily and thoroughly enjoyed the internet commentary along the way.

Original Review: I can’t believe it is November 7 already! What a crazy wild ride this was. Who knew there was so much bromancing American western meets the Scooby gang in a vampire book? Clearly I had absolutely no idea what Dracula was about before actually reading Dracula. Yes, a guy with sharp teeth sucks the blood out of a few people, but the main plot is a band of friends triumphing over evil and it was fantastic.

What made this reading even more fun was that I read it in real time, from May 3 - Nov. 7, which is the timeframe of the book. Matt Kirkland noticed the entire book is dated, and as a result, set up an email distribution list, sending out parts of the book for each day there was an entry. Sometimes we went days or weeks with nothing - and the suspense built. This email distribution list has exploded and the internet did not disappoint. A few months in to our reading we learned Matt compiled the story along with the internet commentary into a book. And even better - he took it on tour! In October he came to Brooklyn and we were able to meet Matt, listen to his journey with Dracula, meet other fans and enjoy the backstory of how this little email list has grown - effectively having thousands of people sharing the same experience each day. Reading a book slowly like this enhances the experience. I can’t wait until next May 3rd to do it again!
Profile Image for josie.
353 reviews10 followers
June 1, 2023
rated: 2.5 stars rounded up

this review is done entirely on the commentary that kirkland has curated, and nothing on the actual content of dracula.

i was subscribed to the dracula daily emails of 2022, and even though i wasn't able to keep up with the story proper, the way that the internet absorbed the content of an old classic and made it accessible to regular readers through humor, jokes, meta and general conversation was incredible. while this book does not do as good a job at capturing that same energy, it is definitely making reading and connecting with dracula easier by adding that humor around it.

i did think that the amount of fan content was slightly lacking, and knowing how much was produced thought that there was no reason for there to be blank pages without a witty comment from an anonymous tumblr user. however, the fan content that was selected was funny and very modern, and i felt very accurate to what the general consensus was about the book in 2022.

this book i feel is something that will work so much better in hard copy - especially as i read this around the resurgence of dracula daily time there was new content on the internet that i could look up. while the humour and the language might date with time, it will also remain a great look into, and definitely helps to make the book more accessible to people who have struggled with classics before.

Thanks to the publisher via NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Maureen.
238 reviews86 followers
September 21, 2023
This is Dracula broken down by the diary entries from May to November in which the story of Dracula takes place. I also follow Dracula Daily via email and it just adds to the experience of the book. Bram Stoker was a brilliant writer and Dracula really showcases that. I always have skimmed Dracula and never really gotten in depth into the entire story.So this book was the perfect fit for me. Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy of Dracula Daily.
55 reviews
March 12, 2024
Aside from just how well the daily format puts time in perspective for the characters journeys , and really making you feel the stretches of silence , it’s just incredibly well made . It’s clear to see why this book still holds up as a classic and is genuinely frightening in so many ways. It has a sequence of interesting story beats and an enjoyable ensemble of characters that I would love to see accurately adapted eventually .
Profile Image for Brooke.
3 reviews
October 9, 2023
rereading Dracula for what could be the 100th time, and having followed Dracula Daily since 2021, reading this felt like reading it for the first time, with new perspectives and the best commentary that made me laugh to myself, alone in my room, like I am Renfield in the asylum. I want to be buried with this book.
Profile Image for Will McAneny.
145 reviews4 followers
November 7, 2024
this was a fun idea but unfortunately Dracula is my least favorite book I’ve ever read
Profile Image for Paula  Phillips.
5,672 reviews341 followers
July 15, 2023
Are you a fan of annotated books? Ever wanted to know other people's thoughts while you read your book? Dracula Daily by Matt Kirkland has taken the classic Dracula by Bram Stoker and brought it into the modern world by incorporating comments, pictures, and interesting thoughts from people all over the internet down the right-hand side as you read. This innovative approach provides a new insight into the story, making for an immersive reading experience that will delight fans of the original and captivate newcomers.

Combining Stoker's original text with reader-generated content, Dracula Daily offers a unique and interactive twist on the timeless tale of Dracula. As you delve into the pages, you'll find yourself immersed in a world where the story seamlessly intertwines with the thoughts and creativity of a diverse online community. The inclusion of comments, pictures, and memes from the newsletter's vast subscriber base adds a contemporary layer to the narrative, making it a captivating read for fans of all generations.

One of the highlights of this edition is the rich selection of artwork and memes contributed by the newsletter's hundreds of thousands of subscribers. These imaginative creations range from delightful comics celebrating Dracula's famous wall-climbing ability to thought-provoking analyses of the novel's intricate love triangles. The witty commentary and colorful fan art not only pay homage to the original story but also provide a fresh and engaging perspective that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

Dracula Daily is a book that seamlessly blends the past with the present, offering a dynamic reading experience like no other. It allows readers to witness the enduring popularity of Dracula and the creative energy it continues to inspire in readers around the world. Whether you're a vampire scholar, a dedicated Dracula Daily reader, or someone discovering the story for the first time, this edition promises an exciting journey that combines tradition with innovation.

In conclusion, Dracula Daily by Matt Kirkland is a must-read for fans of Bram Stoker's Dracula and anyone seeking a fresh take on a beloved classic. The fusion of Stoker's original text with the vibrant contributions of readers creates a captivating reading experience that breathes new life into the story. With its witty commentary, vivid fan art, and immersive annotations, Dracula Daily is a delightful twist on the original, enhancing the reading experience and leaving readers hungry for more.
Profile Image for Denver.
26 reviews1 follower
November 16, 2025
This was my first time making it through Dracula all the way. I’m glad that I managed to make it through, and also wondering if I’ll read it again in the future. But it’s Dracula! So I’m going to mostly review the edition/style of this edition.

So 2020, and Matt Kirkland starts sending out snippets of Dracula for free to people who signed up for his newsletter/sign up sheet. He has rearranged Dracula to be read in order of the letters, newspaper clippings, and other media which the story is told in. It goes viral and spawns new fan art, fanfic, and introduces a community to Dracula in an accessible way.

This is the print edition of that newsletter, with some of the posted fanart, comments, etc. posted next to the pertinent content. The edition itself is gorgeous, with a hard cover and a red ribbon bookmark. I loved the little additions of random internet people who were also freaking out about Dracula. It felt like a book club for people I’ve never interacted with. I’d highly recommended reading this version if you’ve read Dracula before and loved it, if it’s your first time reading through (like me!), or if Dracula is on your TBR.
Profile Image for Kasey Dennehy.
199 reviews10 followers
November 7, 2024
Let me start by saying I have never read Dracula. How I have not in the 29 years I've been alive I do not know but I am so glad now that I hadn't up until this point. With Daily Dracula you read an entry for the day the events happen. So you start in May and end in November. Some days have entries, some don't, and if you are October 3rd you have the longest entry lol This book was such a fun and clever way to read Dracula and this edition really had me laughing out loud at some of the comments in the margins. While reading this, I felt like I belonged to a really fun book club. I looked forward to each days entry and wondered what the gang was gonna get into tomorrow. I highly recommend reading this, whether your a Dracula veteran or a newbie like me, it was such a great experience and I kind of hope other classics get made like this.
Profile Image for Grace.
7 reviews
December 4, 2024
I love this concept! This book was so fun to read with all the comments from the internet sprinkled in. Genuinely turned a “horror” book into a lovely experience that had me giggling and kicking my feet. I love our band of friends so much!! Now will someone PLEASE make a movie adaptation that actually follows the book?? I need to see Jonathan and Mina being obsessed with each other.

The only part of the Dracula text that I didn’t like was the ending. It dragged on and honestly was the most boring part of the whole thing.
Profile Image for Cristy Villemaire.
344 reviews30 followers
September 19, 2023
Dracula is definitely an icon, and this book was a breath of fresh air. As I was reading this book, it felt like I always had someone to talk to because of all the little comments that were incorporated into them.

Some people can find Dracula daunting and intimidating. This book will make it so that you can enjoy every page with illustrations and fun memes. After Dracula Daily, I have officially confirmed that books written in letters and diaries are some of my favorites. Absolutely add this book to your tbr, it will change that way you view classics, in the best possible way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.