book news, Challenges

R.I.P. VI is Deep Sixed

70 Comments

Each year come late August we jointly marvel at the speed with which the year has flown by, the annual R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril Challenge signalling an early start to the autumn festivities. We enter the two month challenge full of optimism, sure that we’ll get to more books than many of us actually do.

We blink.

And it all comes to an end.

But while it lasts it is deliciously perilous.

I managed to complete Peril the First. My completed reads for R.I.P. VI were:

The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle ~Patrick Rothfuss, Nate Taylor

Dead Lagoon: An Aurelio Zen Mystery ~Michael Dibdin

Storm Front ~Jim Butcher

The Lantern ~Deborah Lawrenson

The Two Towers ~J.R.R. Tolkien

Fragile Things ~Neil Gaiman

I planned to get to many more individual reads, but the group reads I was hosting and participating in interfered with that happening. And I use the word “interfered” in a good way, the group reads were a new wrinkle and an incredible pleasure during this year’s challenge.

I got to quite a bit of screen perils throughout the last two months. I started it all out on September 1st with:

The Dark Ages documentary

Over the past two months we watched 25 episodes of Midsomer Murders

and the 4 new Masterpiece Mystery episodes of Inspector Lewis

I went to the theater to see Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (review).

We watched several more comedic horror/mysteries:

Ghost Breakers

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken

Haunted Honeymoon

Knock on Wood

My Favorite Spy

Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride

And we also watched some more “serious” peril-filled films:

The Kennel Murder Case

Underworld

Underworld Evolution

Van Helsing

The Others

Jane Eyre (review)

Green for Danger

and we capped off Halloween night with an annual viewing of:

Arsenic and Old Lace
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This year’s R.I.P. Challenge was a rip-roaring success because of YOU! We had over 240 people sign up to participate and the Book Review Site boasts over 700 linked reviews.

As happens every year I met a number of wonderful new people and spent time with some of you who I only see a few times a year. And I added a bunch of books to my TBR list.

I want to take a moment to thank our artist, Melissa Nucera, for the use of her wonderful images for the R.I.P. VI banners. I had sent interview questions to Melissa at the start of the challenge, but illness and a full slate meant that she has not yet had a chance to get those interview questions back to me. I will put the interview up when that happens. In the meantime, I have a 5X5 copy of each of the pictures used for the R.I.P. VI banners for GIVEAWAY. I will pull the two winners from those who post links to wrap up posts below by Sunday, November 6th at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Please post links to your wrap up posts below, regardless of whether or not you wish to be included in the drawing.


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And lastly dear readers I want to thank you for embracing this challenge every year, for encouraging your readers to also participate, and for making this such a lovely, engaging and rewarding experience. It is a great pleasure to participate in this with you. I hope you made new friends and followers, I hope you discovered books and authors that you will cherish for years to come, and I hope you had a nice chill or two creep up your spine at some point during this two-month event. You are the reason I keep hosting this and you are the inspiration for all that happens here at Stainless Steel Droppings. Thank you all so very, very much. We will do it again next year.

In the meantime please stay tuned for upcoming group reads and for my annual non-challenge, The Sci Fi Experience, that will begin January 1st and will end February 29th, 2012.

70 thoughts on “R.I.P. VI is Deep Sixed”

  1. Thanks for hosting another wonderful challenge, Carl! I had a lot of fun with the group reads and look forward to more in the future!

    1. You are most welcome. The group reads were really fun. Its been fun to read some books with you that are a bit outside of our buddy read norm.

  2. Thanks, Carl! This is so fun every year. I never end up doing as well as I plan, but the effort in itself is fun. I did see/watch a lot of scary movies/shows so not a total loss. I love that you include films. I’m thinking of doing that for my annual Christmas reading challenge this year…having a film option. I will definitely be in again next year and I’m seriously considering your SciFi Non-Challenge.

    Hope you had a great Halloween!

    1. Hope you do join us for The Sci Fi Experience. It is the most no-pressure event that I host and it is always fun.

      Adding movies to your Christmas event sounds great. I know we partake of a lot of different movies over the Christmas holidays. They have become as much of a tradition as the decorations and the presents.

  3. Thanks for hosting the RIP challenge. I had a blast, and am looking forward to the Sci-Fi Experience.

    1. Your welcome Erik, thank you for taking part. Look forward to you being a part of the Sci Fi Experience.

  4. Carl, Thank you so much. I loved the challenge this year. Can’t wait for next years. I am going to have to start looking for books now.

    1. Thanks so much. I’ve got a pretty nice pile of books from THIS year waiting for me for next year. 🙂 But I know that pile will just keep getting bigger as the year rolls on.

  5. Thanks for hosting, I love this event every year. I’ll try to participate in the Sci-Fi experience too, I’ve been meaning to try some Heinlein because of you. 🙂

    1. Oh cool! I am going to host a group read of his book The Puppet Masters in February. And if you want other ideas just search “Heinlein” in my search box and you should come upon several non-spoiler reviews of his work. If you are into short stories his The Green Hills of Earth collection is phenomenal. And really I’ve enjoyed all of his juveniles that I’ve read thus far.

      Glad you enjoyed R.I.P. VI.

  6. I enjoyed this challenge, and immersed myself more into than I though I would!…It’s been fun and I intend to join in next year as well. 😀

    1. That’s great Risa! And wonderful that you are already on board for the next one. I know sometimes in challenges I go way past my expectations and other times I look back and wondered what happened to the time. It was sort of a mix of both for this year. I thought I’d get more reading done and in the end was surprised by how much perilous viewing I got done.

    1. You are welcome. Thanks for taking part and thanks for your input on the Deborah Lawrenson post too.

    1. You are welcome Amanda, thanks for taking part in it. It is always great to have you. I need to find time to get back on Twitter more. I was keeping up with your goings on for awhile and now I feel like I’m in the dark again.

  9. Thanks for hosting another chilling challenge.

    I was able to watch Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark on the big screen which was ok. On the small screen I also caught episodes of Buffy and The Vampire Diaries with my teenage daugther and several episodes of Dr Who which were quite creepy. Especially an episode entitled ” Blink “.

    I got in some great RIP reads as well. I read the latest Hellboy comic mini-series, The Adventure of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle by Patrick Rothfuss, and Stormfront by Jim Butcher.

    My final RIP read was a book I can’t recommend highly enough, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It was truly magical and a wonderful way for me to end my RIP reading.

    Happy November everyone!!!

    1. That episode of “Blink” was about the scariest thing I watched for R.I.P.! Those Weeping Angels freaked me out.

      1. Those Weeping Angels were freaky. My wife doesn’t usually watch Dr Who with me but she happened to catch that episode with me and she was creeped out it by it as well. I know when Carl showed us the images for this year’s RIP challenge all I could think about were those scary Weeping Angels. Trust me. I don’t look at statues the same way anymore. 🙂

        1. I don’t either. Dr. Who has forever altered my impressions about angel statutes.

    2. Yes, definitely several creepy episodes in the last few seasons of Dr. Who!

      I’m sorry I didn’t manage to get The Night Circus done during the R.I.P. time period but I will hopefully be back to it soon and will get my review up.

      Thanks for taking part and for helping to host the Storm Front read. I’m glad you had the idea, it was a fun book.

      1. I can’t wait to talk The Night Circus with you. I believe you will love it even more than I do.

        As for Storm Front. It was all you buddy. I’m just a small cog in your giant blog machine. 😉

    1. The group reads were a nice addition to R.I.P. this year. Funny how something can just happen so spontaneously, like the group reads did earlier this year and then it just grew from there. So much fun.

  11. It was a RIP-roaring good time as always, Carl. I fell short of my goal by one book, but the other three were so good, I can’t really complain. Thanks again for a wonderful challenge!

    1. I’m right there with you Andi, my desires and plans far outweighed reality, but that is okay. Thanks so much for taking part, in the group read as well.

  12. Pingback: Reading Challenge: R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril (RIP) VI Wrap-up! « Opinions of a Wolf

  13. Thank you for hosting! I had another great year participating and am so looking forward to the Sci Fi Experience (have already got a list in progress of reading and films, can’t wait!).

    1. I started working on my list for the Sci Fi Experience last night! I’m usually so burnt and tired after hosting a challenge that I need a break, but this time I am so energized that I am so ready to get to the non-challenge Experience. And I’ve been hankering for science fiction something fierce lately anyway.

      1. I’ve been in the mood for science fiction as well with books as well as movies and it has been difficult to wait. Good thing January is so close!

  14. I just posted the last mystery yesterday, WICKED AUTUMN. Not sure how many I read, looks like only 6, but I have been reading more SF-F just lately. Right now it’s the new (mostly, sorts) David Weber, A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP, the novelization of a short story.

    1. Richard, Have you ever read his Honnor Harrington series? I have book one but haven’t read it yet. Just curious on your thoughts on the series if you have read it. Thanks.

      1. We are reading the first book, On Basilisk Station, in December of this year for the Classic Science Fiction Book Club. You should read yours along with me Jeff so we can chat about it.

        1. That sounds like a great idea. Please help remind me as December approach’s and I will read it with you.

  15. Thanks Carl! It was a blast as always. 😀

    I managed to complete Peril the First with a plus one or two extra. Was abnormally quiet on the tv & movie front tho… already stacking up the Star Trek Vanguard novels for the Sci-Fi experience!

    1. Oh, cool. I’m definitely anxious to get back to the original series universe and see what is happening on Vanguard.

  16. Thanks, Carl. It was a blast! I’ll be back next year with a new theme for my RIP Challenge…I’m thinking Baltimore…

    And yes, I’ll be having The Peril of the Needle again next year–I’ve already got the piece picked out!

    1. Not a bad theme at all Ann! And I look forward to your needle choice next year! 🙂

  17. Even though I could never seem to get around to posting, we here in the Stevens’ home had a blast with RIP this year. As we always do. I suspect I’ll miss our Monday night picture books spooky read-alouds most of all. (Though actually we’ll likely just switch to Christmas-y reads.) Thank you so much for hosting this–I really, really hope you know how much fun and joy you bring to peoples’ lives with your challenges, Carl.

    1. Well the joy bringing is mutual, because I have a great deal of fun visiting people’s sites and seeing what everyone is reading, etc. It is the community that makes this so fun.

      Your Monday reading nights sounded like a lot of fun and I do hope the family keeps up the tradition. I’m so happy you all participated as a family.

      Hard to believe the Christmas season is just around the corner, isn’t it? I was outside yesterday thinking that it will just be a couple more weeks and I’ll be stringing the outside lights. Where does the time go?

  18. This was such a blast, thank you for hosting! I’m so glad I participated for the first time, but it definitely won’t be my last.

    1. I’m glad you participated with us this year and do hope it won’t be your last time with us. Now we just have to convince you to join the non-challenge science fiction event in January!!! 😉

    1. Oh, and on an unrelated note, have you seen Pat Rothfuss’ latest blog post? It seems like I recall you have an affinity to artful pinups? Maybe I’m thinking of someone else? Anyway, you should check it out. Could be right up your alley. If not, you can just laugh at my mistake… link here.

      1. The same thing happens to me Logan. For all the books I get to cross off as “read” I end up adding many, many more to my pile.

        I hadn’t seen that on Pat’s blog but I do like it. I had actually seen the Alice in Wonderland image before and really like it. Fun “good girl” art.

  20. Thanks for hosting Carl! I had a lot of fun, and only wish I could have read even more. (Even while exceeding my expectations!) I hope to participate again next year!

    1. I hope you can as well, and I’m thrilled you exceeded expectations. I rarely do that. 🙂

  21. If it hadn’t been for this challenge I would have given up on House of Leaves and At the Mountains of Madness. But I committed to them for this challenge and I’m glad I didn’t give up, even if they got a bit frustrating. But that is the fun of reading! Thank you for hosting and I look forward to this Sci Fi Experience you mentioned.

    1. I’m glad you stuck with them, sorry they were a bit frustrating though. I love Lovecraft, but haven’t read At the Mountains of Madness. Haven’t had the courage to attempt House of Leaves at this point in time.

      And do please join us for the Sci Fi Experience. 🙂

  22. Thanks for hosting this awesome challenge! This was my first time participating and I’m already looking forward to next year.

    1. It was great to have you along for your first time Beth and I’m happy that you enjoyed it enough to be planning for the next. 🙂

  23. See what you started?! As soon as RIP is over people are getting books for next year!!
    Unfortunately this year I didn’t find one of those “most outstanding” books that I seem to find like 13th Tale or Drood… but some of that might be that I was down and stressed for 6 weeks and I do believe it had a lot to do with my no enjoying things so much.. hopefully that changes soon!… I have to tell you that after 80 pages of night circus I’ve set it aside. It hasn’t grabbed me in the least! I find this hard to believe since it is so loved by everyone who’s read it!..so I am now reading Oscar Wilde and the candle light murders which is very fast moving and enjoyable.. I may give night circus one more try a bit later. (to be honest in 80 pages I have found it boring)

    1. Next you should read some actual Oscar Wilde! It is great stuff!

      Yes, usually you do find that one magical book and I’m sorry you didn’t this year. Also sorry for the stress you’ve been under and hope things are on the upswing now.

      And yes, I’m a bad man, but at least I suffer the same fate. I know I already have books in my head for next year as well. 🙂

  24. Yeah, after reading At the Mountains of Madness, I knew that shouldn’t walk away from Lovecraft with just that one story so I read The Outsider and The Rats in the Walls, and I REALLY liked those two alot. A collection of HP Lovecraft tales will be making it’s way onto my shelf soon.

    1. I really like the Penguin collections because they have interesting annotations to them that talk about when the stories were written, give interesting anecdotes about various parts of the story, etc.

  25. Thanks for hosting! I read almost all of the books I planned to and finally watched the Hellboy animated movies.

  26. Ummm… I just noticed that this post is entitled Rip FOUR is Deep Sixed. Umm… Opps… 🙂

    1. Hilarious! Random dyslexia strikes again! I’ll go ahead and change it. You win the Eagle Eye prize!

      1. Weeeeeeee!!! I win! Weeeeeee!!!

        Picture the Pig leaning out the mini-van window with the pinwheels in his hands as I say the above statement.

  27. Thank you for hosting one of my favorite challenges Carl 🙂 It’s been fun. I always find spooky new reads for R.I.P. and this time around was no different.

    1. You are so welcome. It is fun every year and I’m happy that you had a good time this year.

  28. Thanks for hosting! These novels were a nice escape during the weeks my daughter recovered from open-heart surgery…fell at the perfect time!

    1. I hope your daughter is recovering well, Tammy. And yes, reading is a great escape when we are going through stressful times like that.

  30. Thanks so much, Carl! I loved participating in RIP and am looking forward to The Sci Fi Experience. I hope to participate in some of the group reads in future rounds. I get so much more out of books when I can share thoughts and hear what others think.

    1. I hope you can too, Chris. It would be great to have your voice in the mix when we are group reading books.

  31. Thanks again for hosting! I enjoyed my reads this year. I know I am way late in posting my wrap up but did want to get it done. 🙂

    Can’t wait for next year’s fun.

    1. That is just fine, Mari. Thank you so much for participating and I look forward to us all getting together over scary books again next year.

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