Vampires - who reads about them?

Vampire books seem to be all the rage. Even noted authors who have their own niche and sell books faster than they can think of new plots, have turned to writing about the toothy blood suckers.
I never liked vampires when I was a child. I never liked horror stories or bloody movies. I don't like to be frightened.
The new vampire stories seem to be romantic and the vampire is the love interest. How can that be? Doesn't he just want blood from the girl he professes to love? How can a lovely girl fall in love with a weird creature like this?
As you can tell, I've not read any of these books that are selling like turkeys at Thanksgiving, and I can't make myself read one. Time is so important to me now that I can't bear wasting a precious minute on a book that is not likely to give me one minute's pleasure.
Do you like these books about vampires? Which ones are the best to settle down with on a cold night? I'd really like someone to give me some insight on this vampire trend.