Sunday, September 04, 2016

R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril (RIP) XI

Artwork by Abigail Larson
It's that time of year again. Autumn is fast approaching, and over at Stainless Steel Droppings, Carl is once again hosting his annual celebration of things spooky and mysterious -- the RIP (for R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril) reading event/challenge, running from September 1 to October 31.

The announcement almost got past me this year -- I've been so busy with vacation plans, I haven't been engaging in my usual end of August/beginning of September behavior of compulsively checking Carl's website, in eager anticipation. Hard to believe this is the eleventh year for RIP, and the ninth time I've participated. It's definitely one of my favorite bookish happenings.

To read all about the rules and guidelines for RIP/XI (there aren't many), just head on over to the challenge announcement post (HERE). There are several levels of possible participation in peril (don't you love alliteration); as usual, I'm going with Peril the First -- read four books of any length, from any of the challenge categories (Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Gothic, Horror, Dark Fantasy). These are my favorite literary genres, so it really isn't much of a challenge for me -- just lots of fun. Also again this year, I'll be signing up for Peril on the Screen and I might even give Peril of the Short Story a go, as well.

During the two months of the challenge, I'll be tracking my progress and keeping all my lists over on my challenge blog (HERE). I don't really have a set list of books to read, but these are a few I'm considering:
  • Beyond the Ice Limit, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Fourth and most recent book in their Gideon Crew series. Although maybe I should start with one of the earlier books in the line-up. 
  • Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch. His latest sci-fi thriller -- I've just started this and it's keeping me reading into the wee hours.
  • Devil Sent the Rain, by Lisa Turner. Second book featuring hard-boiled Detective Billy Able. Supposed to be a "dark Southern mystery" about the murder of a Memphis socialite, and the scandals her death reveals. 
  • The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins. So much talk about this one -- I'm probably the last person on earth to read it.
  • Lovecraft Unbound, edited by Ellen Datlow. Short stories in the Lovecraft tradition by twenty of today's prominent writers of dark fantasy and horror fiction. I'm not a huge Lovecraft fan, but this sounds intriguing.
  • When the Music's Over, by Peter Robinson. Number 23 in the Inspector Banks series, with Banks now promoted to Detective Superintendent.
I could go on. But I won't -- gotta get reading!


3 comments:

  1. Thanks for highlighting the challenge. I'm going to look into this one. It might be just what I need. Again, thanks.

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  2. Nine times! Wow, that is awesome! Thank you for being a part of this community, and for joining in for number 11.

    The time almost got past me as well, suddenly it there was one day left in August and I hadn't yet posted about RIP 11! I think I caused some undue panic that I am most sorry for.

    I look forward to seeing what you get to and your thoughts on them.

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  3. I'm trying to decide whether to participate in RIP although not sure why. I have tons of books on my shelves that fit these criteria and are awaiting to be read. I've participated before. I have a problem with commitment. ;-)) I haven't read The Girl on the Train either although it's one of the books on the shelf. When people compare it to Gone Girl, a book I hated, it may make me the last person to read it.

    ReplyDelete

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