Not a silly question! There are 11 VC books now (13 if you include the New Tales’ Pandora and Vittorio) THATS A LOT OF STORY (just imagine this gif 11-13 times bc I don’t wanna actually throw it in 11-13 times not aesthetically pleasing)

What is being part of a fandom? 

• Everyone’s idea of this is different. 
• The short answer is simply: You’ve read enough to be part of the fandom! Welcome! I, Mater Fabuloso, decree you worthy.

As far as the later books having a bad reputation…

Yes! Some of them are so crazy and wildly cracky! That’s why we also call them the #Vampire Crackicles. It’s a term of endearment. The crazy is a big part of why we enjoy it. Dysfunctional vampires! The first 3-4 books in the series seem to be the more highly regarded, VC-fandom-wide, maybe bc the crazy was better woven in.

If you liked the first 3 – and some others – enough to reread them, you must also enjoy the sense of humor that’s mixed in with the angst, the love, the overall crazy! The bad-reputation VC have some silly/angsty/etc. quotes and scenes that are not to be missed (like that quote about Lestat’s foot size insecurity pfffft).

Short answer is: give it all a chance, skim if you must, and decide for yourself, it’s meant to be fun, it’s not a religion, there are no chants to memorize, you will not be quizzed next Monday ;]

Personally, and I hope this goes for others, I welcome anyone into the fandom who loves any of the characters. Maybe someone’s gateway drug was movie!IWTV. Maybe it was Claudia’s Story (graphic novel). Any combination of VC books/media counts!

I think the more VC you read, the better-informed your “headcanon” (let me explain you a thing about headcanon if you aren’t familiar with the concept) will be, as you choose which parts of (or scenes within) the series feel believable to you. 

I sound like a broken record bc I write this SO OFTEN: my idea of being “part of the fandom” just means engaging in discussions about the series, making fanworks, and making friendships with ppl who share your interests. I don’t know how other fandoms behave, but that’s a summary of my positive experiences in the VC fandom.