What's the deal with first person?

I just received four books as a gift. My friend knows I like mystery/suspense type books so I was looking forward to diving in. When I opened the first one I found that it was written in first person. I shrugged it off and went to the next one. First person. Three out of the four are first person. What's the deal with that? I'm not a fan of first person. If I wanted first person I would read a diary. And I've been noticing as I do research for my vampire book that a lot of paranormals are first person. I hope that doesn't mean I have to write in first person to sell one of them. I don't know that I could. Sure for blogs and diaries it's okay, but for a whole book it starts to annoy me. It's one of the first things I look for. Cover, back cover blurb, first page. If it's in first person I put it back on the shelf and go for the next book that catches my eye. I guess I should never say never. One of these days I might find first person is the best way to tell one of my stories. But for right now she's going to stick with third because it's fun getting into everyone's head. Not just one.


Keira