I realise I may not have that much reading time this autumn, but I couldn’t resist the temptation to sign up for another year of R.I.P. reading. Especially after seeing the great list of so many other participants. I should post a warning that I’m not very good at strict seasonal reading, but I will still be reading a number of books for this event (or plan to, anyway).
A full description of RIP can be found over at stainless steel droppings:
As Autumn arrives upon this hemisphere, a beautiful melancholy settles itself over the world. Daylight fades as the darkness descends earlier each night. Nature beds down to rest and the last flashes of gorgeous color give way to the monochrome shades of winter. There is a wistful scent upon the air and the mood generated by this time of year turns my thoughts toward the mysterious, towards stories with gothic undertones, towards darkened streets and death and the men and women sent to detect those who do these dastardly deeds. Stop the alliteration!!!
Seven years ago that mood birthed R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril, or R.I.P. for short, a participatory event wherein we the people spend however little, or much, time we want over the months of September and October imbibing all things ghastly and ghostly.
The purpose of R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VII is to enjoy books and movies/television that could be classified (by you) as:
Mystery.
Suspense.
Thriller.
Dark Fantasy.
Gothic.
Horror.
Supernatural.
Or anything sufficiently moody that shares a kinship with the above.There are two simple goals for R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VII
1. Have fun reading.
2. Share that fun with others.
Even though the word challenge has been removed from the event, this themed reading does involve a personal challenge as I often have difficulty with scary stories – I am very easily scared. Nevertheless, I have found some very tempting books on my shelves, and put in some more holds at the library. So, on to my reading plans, shall we?
- The Man in the Picture – Susan Hill: I am not even sure why I bought this, Hill is supposed to write some very scary stuff right?
- The Zigzag Way – Anita Desai: I have a feeling this was a buying-on-impulse mistake, but I’d like to see what it’s about anyway.
- The Murder of Halland – Pia Juul: A Peirene Press book! I haven’t picked it up yet because it is supposed to be a crime book and I’m not good with those generally.
- Maybe This Time – Alois Hotschnig: Another Peirene title. These are supposed to be some very disturbing stories.
- Jamaica Inn – Daphne Du Maurier: I knew when RIP arrived I had to read another Du Maurier. Her settings are always perfect for autumn.
- Charmed Life – Diana Wynne Jones: Children’s lit, Diana Wynne Jones, witches – what’s not to love?
- Coraline – Neil Gaiman: It’s time I tackle another of Gaiman’s titles. And I’m sticking to his titles for younger readers for now as I’m not sure how uneasy I’ll feel about his adult titles.
- Warm Bodies – Isaac Marion: Will this year finally see me tackle this book about zombies that everyone seems to enjoy?
- Blood Sinister – Celia Rees: I’m not exactly sure how this ended up on my bookshelves. I think I may have bought it as a gift for my sister once and then forgot about it.
- The Name of the Star – Maureen Johnson: I can’t tell you how excited I am about this book. Everyone seems to love Maureen Johnson. I haven’t read it before because it always just looks so scary (I know, I am a wimp).
- The Lace Reader – Brunonia Barry: Um, I’m not sure about this one. But it does feature witches.
- The Graveyard Book – Neil Gaiman: Yay! I haven’t read this yet, but I am fully prepared to love it. And I’m reading it to discuss with Kailana for her 100 Chapter Books Read Along.
- Unrest – Michelle Harrison: I won this from the Book Smugglers, it features ghosts. I am always scared of ghosts in stories. Did I mention RIP is a bit of a challenge for me?
- The 13 Treasures – Michelle Harrison: Does this one count? It involves a murder mystery and the supernatural in the form of fairies. I have heard great things about this one too.
- The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern: I feel the buzz around this title has sufficiently died away for me to be able to read it without the highest of expectations. Plus, it’s an Orange Prize longlisted title, so it works for two challenges.
I have also put in some holds at the library:
- Dark Matter – Michelle Paver: Stefanie from So Many Book’s mentioned this and when I found it in the catalogue I couldn’t resist.
- We Have Always Lived in the Castle - Shirley Jackson: Because everyone has read this. This is one of the titles I always forget about until I see it pop up around this time of year. Now, with a library to loan it from, I’m hoping to finally add it to my books read list.
- The suspicions of Mr Whicher, or The murder at Road Hill House – Kate Summerscale: I really want to read this after enjoying Mrs. Robinson’s Disgrace earlier this year. Unfortunately, there are many reservations on this title so I may not be able to read it for a while yet.
- Wicked - Gregory Maguire: Would this even count? I put it on hold for the fairy tale challenge more than this one.
I also have two Netgalley titles lined up that seem to fit RIP perfectly:
- Blackwood - Gwenda Bond: I already started this one Unfortunately, it isn’t really working for me yet.
- Velveteen - Daniel Marks: This appears to be one of the highly anticipated YA releases this fall. I’m curious how I’ll like it.
Obviously, this is a pool of books to choose from and by no means a full reading list. There are just too many books on my shelves and at the library that fit RIP season and that I’d like to read.
There is one last thing though, I’d like to add one or a few classics to the pool. Mysteries of Udolpho (but it might be too long for now), Dracula, anything else?
- Could you help me with some recommendations for RIP classics?
Are you joining in on RIP VII this year? What are you planning to read? Are there any books in my list you feel strongly about (either positively or negatively)? To everyone who’s joining too: have fun!
my favorite 2 books: The Thirteenth Tale and Drood.
) I am glad to see Daphne du Maurier and Susan Hill I haven’t read those two and will look forward to your reviews!
I don’t read horror or the supernatural ala Stephen King. The most fantastic I’ve gotten into and liked are the two vampire books by Meg Cabot, which I recommend, and also Cinder, another fantasy. Have fun being scared in time for Halloween!
The Lace Reader is an awesome read! And I really enjoyed The Name of the Star as well so I would recommend both of those. Hope you enjoy and have fun with these books
I’m not taking part this year, going to give myself a break from challenges until atleast next year now, but really look forward to seeing what other’s read for this event. I highly recommend We Have Always Lived in the Castle, and have you thought about reading Frankenstein?
I really love spooky gothic reads, but one of the things I love best about this event is just seeing everyone’s lists! I hope that you have fun with whatever reading you manage to get done!
Oh, I’d love to have never read Jamaica Inn before – it’s brilliant, one of my favourites!
I can definitely recommend We Have Always Lived in the Castle and Jamaica Inn – I read them last year and enjoyed them both! As for classics, have you tried The Woman in White or The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins? They would both be perfect RIP books.
What a wonderful pool of books!
I know what you mean about du Maurier. I only seem to read her books for RIP 😄
I quite enjoyed Coraline but I think I might be remembering the movie more than the book.
Woot to Du Maurier!
Oooh! What a great theme. I may have to join in with this one. I am off on holiday on Monday and seem to have picked some suitably moody tales to take away with me, including Turn Of Mind by Alice La Plante and also The Possessions of Doctor Forrest by Richard T Kelly.
I have recently read The Night Circus and adored it, despite the hype (review on my blog if you’re interested). As for an appropriate classic choice, have you considered Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? It’s amazing!
Argh. I’m trying NOT to sign up for this. But I think I may have some space in October to read some horror
Yours is an impressive list! Will you be able to get so much reading done while starting with your PhD though? Daunting o__o
I am participating in the fun again this year as well! I absolutely loved The Night Circus, I think I read it during last year’s R.I.P. The Name of the Star is very good as well.
This year I’m planning on reading Tana French’s Broken Harbor (which I’ve just started), and Daphne du Maurer’s Rebecca (which I’ve had on my shelf for ages. I’ve got ideas on a bunch of others so I’m sure it will be a fun time again.
Enjoy all the reading you get done!
Oh the Gaimans and The NIght Circus and We Have Always Lived in the Castle and Wicked are ALL so good!!! As for classics I actually REALLY like Dracula and you can never go wrong with a few of Poe’s stories or poems
Quite a wonderful pool of books to choose from! I don’t do scary very well either but have found that creepy is quite satisfying. Looking forward to seeing what books you end up reading!
Given that this is not your area of comfort reading I applaud you on your own personal challenge and am thrilled to have you back for another round of R.I.P.!!!
And oh my, your list of potential reads has me drooling all over the place. The Gaiman books are of course favorites. I too have The Night Circus on my list of potential reads and it is one I hope to get to very soon.
As for Gaiman’s adult stuff, you might want to avoid American Gods for awhile, but Neverwhere and Stardust and even Anansi Boys are not far removed from YA books. They are certainly teen appropriate and don’t have, in my opinion, anything different by way of potential disturbing/frightening material than Coraline and The Graveyard Book do.
So glad you’re doing R.I.P. VII — I’ll see you there!
I may read The Graveyard Book also. I vaguely remember really liking Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones. I look forward to seeing your review of The Night Circus; I just bought it recently because I was no longer able to resist all the positive recommendations I’d received.
I love your reading pool for this event: so many great books there. That’s a phrase that I should get used to using, ‘reading pool’, because I can’t ever seen to make what would be more properly called a reading list either. It’s all about the options, the many many choices that might the theme. Enjoy!
So many amazing options! You know I’ll vote that you read the Diana Wynne Jones book. I’m reading one that’s actually new to me this year too! I’ve been thinking about rereading Coraline too even though I’m already rereading The Graveyard Book. There are just too many good books!
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I see you have a Susan Hill book there. Have you tried The Woman in Black? I also really enjoyed Paver’s The Dark Matter. The atmospheric scenes in the book never quite leave you!
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