Something R.I.P.ing This Way Comes

The process of delving into the black abyss is to me the keenest form of fascination…
~H.P. Lovecraft (In a letter to Frank Belknap Long, February 27 1931)

As I sit pensively, fingers poised above the black keys of a dusty keyboard, it seems nature has pronounced its blessing on today’s venture. Grey skies pouring forth driving rains belie the fact that it remains the dead of summer. The chill of air conditioning set for much warmer temperatures and the overcast sky conspire to convince me that it is indeed that time of year again. Time for gothic tales and things that go bump in the night.

It is indeed time for the 2007 R.I.P. (Readers Imbibing Peril) Autumn Reading Challenge, or R.I.P. II, for short. Though the ‘official’ start date for Readers Imbibing Peril is not until September 1st, I decided to accede to public demand and get the word out to you a few weeks early.

I sometimes think we must all be mad and that we shall wake to sanity in strait-waistcoats.
~Bram Stoker

As in last year’s inaugural R.I.P. Autumn Reading Challenge, R.I.P. II is a September 1st through October 31st celebration of all tales gothic, eerie, creepy, and dark. Tales that one reads in the dark of night, experiencing delicious shivers of terror and suspense at each creak of the floorboards or each gust of wind. As in previous challenges the definition for what type of books fit into this category will be very broad. I would venture to say that there is something for everyone that could count as a R.I.P. book.

It is a mistake to fancy that horror is associated inextricably with darkness, silence, and solitude. I found it in the glare of mid-afternoon, in the clangour of a metropolis, and in the teeming midst of a shabby and commonplace rooming-house with a prosaic landlady and two stalwart men by my side.
~H.P. Lovecraft (Cool Air)

In the following paragraphs I will:

Outline the various challenges, or Perils, that one can participate in for R.I.P. II, give but a few examples of the variety of books one could read for the challenge, will discuss my potential reading pool, and last, but not least, will talk about the first giveaway of the R.I.P. II Autumn Reading Challenge. Walk this way…

(Choose one, or more than one if you are feeling adventurous)

Peril the First:

Read Four books of any length, from any subgenre of scary stories that you choose.

Peril the Second (Otherwise known as the Obese Book Peril):

As you may know, some books are scary not just because of their subject matter but because of their size. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke is 737 pages of small type, for example, and Gordon Dahlquist’s Glass Books of the Dream Eaters is 637 pages long with type so miniscule it makes Strange‘s look like large print!

For this peril simply read two weighty tomes during the challenge period.

Peril the Third:

If you think you have it in you, this third choice of perils is the Scary Sandwich Peril…choose two large books like those described in Peril the Second and read a smaller qualifying tale in between.

Peril the Fourth (Otherwise known as Just a Bit of Peril):

Some of you wonderful readers, or would-be readers, may have a tendency to shy away from this genre, thinking it is just not your cup of poisoned tea. However, it wouldn’t be a challenge if I wasn’t challenging you.

This peril is for those of you who want to take a chance. Simply choose one book that you feel meets the criteria for Readers Imbibing Peril II and, well, imbibe it!

A man [Ed. note: or woman] who limits his interests, limits his life.
~Vincent Price (editorial addition by Carl V. Anderson)

Additional Perils:

For those of you who have never done so, or want those who want to do so again, choose one or more of the following books to read after you have completed your other peril of choice:

1.Dracula by Bram Stoker
2. A collection of tales by Edgar Allan Poe
3. The Mystery of the Sea by Bram Stoker
4. Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman

Hey, I’ve got to pimp my favorite authors!

Short Story Sunday Peril:

One or many of you wonderful book bloggers used to post entries call Short Story Sunday. This additional peril involves simply reading one R.I.P. short story per weekend. I think I’ll do this and either post about the short story once per week or will do a large short story post towards the end of the challenge.

You certainly do not have to limit yourself to just one peril, nor do you have to stop at only 4 books.

(Click on each book cover for a description of said book)

Gothic fiction:

Gothic fiction, a genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance is the subgenre of horror fiction that inspired me to do the first R.I.P. Challenge. You have your classic gothic fiction:

In addition to any other stories by the above authors would be stories by Bram Stoker, Gaston Leroux, Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, etc.

And then there are the newer novels written in the traditon of classic gothic fiction:


Dark Fantasy:

There are certainly many books shelved in the fantasy section of your local bookstore that fit into the R.I.P. parameters. Books with dark magic, or many sword and sorcery books would fit. Some examples are:


The list in this subgenre could certainly go on and on. The Lord of the Rings trilogy fits here. As does much other fantasy which features dark, evil enemies. There is also the other fantasy subgenre which has its share of dark entries:

Urban fantasy:

For the sake of R.I.P. II this would include books like


just to name a few. Books by authors like Charlaine Harris, Kim Harrison, Laurell K. Hamilton, Liz Williams and many others would fit into this category.

Young Adult:

Then there is the whole world of young adult fiction that is filled with wonderful examples of creepy stories that make perfect R.I.P. Challenge material.


Not to mention the Harry Potter books, The Water Mirror by Kai Meyer, the Montmorency books by Eleanor Updale, Garth Nix’s Keys to the Kingdom series, and so on and so forth.

The list of recommendations in these and Many Other categories is endless!

There are the

Classic Horror Stories:

Dracula, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Phantom of the Opera, the stories of J. Sheridan Le Fanu, the ghost stories of Charles Dickens, etc.

Modern Horror Stories:

Tales from the Masters, like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker.

Mystery Stories:

Where does one even start? Remember, the main parameters from last year are stories that deal with gothic themes: stories that are eerie, creepy, dripping with atmosphere, suspenseful, scary…. Many mystery stories certainly fit within this definition.

Non fiction:

Last year some of you read true crime books, biographies about horror authors, nonfiction books about gothic/horror themes.

As you see, the possibilities are endless for you to find books that will give you the willies, cause your spine to shiver, and will keep you up at night wondering just what those noises coming down the hall are!

The true weird tale has something more than secret murder, bloody bones, or a sheeted form clanking chains according to rule. A certain atmosphere of breathless and unexplainable dread of outer, unknown forces must be present, and there must be a hint, expressed with a seriousness and portentousness becoming its subject, of that most terrible conception of the human brain — a malign and particular suspension or defeat of those fixed laws of Nature which are our only safeguard against the assaults of chaos and the daemons of unplumbed space.
~H.P. Lovecraft (Supernatural Horror in Literature)

Don’t Forget: You can check out last year’s Grave Times Newsletter for more reading ideas from the list of books participants read during last year’s R.I.P. Challenge.

For every challenge I have hosted or participated in I always list the books I am planning on reading. Although you may feel free to do exactly that, I am varying the program a bit with this challenge and posting a pool of potential books from which I will choose my peril. The short list includes:

I would also like to squeeze in some H.P. Lovecraft, some Stoker, some Poe, some Gaiman. It is all wishful thinking, of course, but one can dream!

We shall see that at which dogs howl in the dark, and that at which cats prick up their ears after midnight.
~H.P. Lovecraft (From Beyond)

So, are you all ready? Are you as excited as I am to slip the bonds of summer and delve into the darkness that comes with shorter days and the delicious melancholy of Autumn’s decay? We are not quite there, but can you feel it? A change is coming, hopefully sooner rather than later.

The R.I.P. II Autumn Reading Challenge will be another great time of gathering together and discussing great, and no doubt not-so-great, books.

As always there will be contests and giveaways to accompany the challenge. I plan to introduce another writing contest or two and will feature plenty of posts centered around R.I.P. themes in music, movies, art, etc. I am really looking forward to sharing this time with friends old and new. My favorite time of the year is fast approaching and I am glad to be able to spend it with you.

As promised, The First Giveaway of the R.I.P. II challenge, is ready for your participation:

You may recall my recent review of Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert. It was a fantastic book and one that I highly recommend for the R.I.P. II Challenge. Natasha Mostert and I were in communication after my review and she graciously agreed to allow me to interview her for this challenge. She also had her publishing company send me an autographed copy of her book for giveway.

So….for everyone who signs up for the R.I.P. II Autumn Reading Challenge between now and the witching hour on Monday, September 3rd will have their name placed in a drawing for the book. Tuesday, September 4th I will post my interview with Natasha Mostert and announce the winner!

Sign up now! Heck, you have a few weeks to get started a little early if you’d like. I know I am! ๐Ÿ™‚

Just as in the Once Upon a Time Challenge, I have created a site for you to post links to your R.I.P. II book reviews: R.I.P.ing Yarns. Please post your reviews in order that the rest of us may see what you are reading. Also, as you sign up and choose your perils, your list of books, or your book pool, please leave a comment here so that I may add your name and a link to your site to the post.

Last, but not least, here are a few buttons for your use if you choose to put a link to this challenge up on your site. Happy haunted reading everyone!


(200 x 154)


(120 x 92)

and here are two for links to the book review site if you need them:


(200 x 154)


(120 x 92)

I want to thank my dear friend Mosker for allowing me to use this wonderful picture of hers for this year’s R.I.P. buttons, one of a set of 8×10’s that I have framed in my house.

Then the shadows began to gather; first little furtive ones under the table, and then bolder ones in the dark panelled corners…
~H.P. Lovecraft (The Strange High House in the Mist)

Participants:

1. Sally (Reading Challenges)
2. Becky (Becky’s Book Reviews)
3. Chris (Stuff As Dreams)
4. Nymeth (Things Mean A Lot)
5. Elaine (Quixotical)
6. Sarah (Loose Baggy Monster)
7. Chelle (Tempting Persephone)
8. Vasilly (1330V)
9. Nicola (Back to Books)
10. Debi (Nothing of Importance)
11. Stephanie (Confessions of a Book-a-holic)
12. Annie (Words by Annie)
13. Raidergirl3 (Adventure in Reading)
14. Kailana (Kailana’s Written World)
15. Andi (Estella’s Revenge)
16. Ginny (Daily Thoughts of a Scrapbook Mom)
17. Amanda (The Blog Jar)
18. SFP (Pages Turned)
19. Chris (Book-a-rama)
20. Petunia (Educating Petunia)
21. Ex Libris
22. Court (Once Upon a Bookshelf)
23. Carrie (Rosemary For Remembrance)
24. Traci (Just What You Want)
25. Wendy (Caribousmom)
26. Robin (A Fondness For Reading)
27. Heather (A High and Hidden Place)
28. A Geek Girl (Random Musings)
29. Soliel (Jehara)
30. Melody (Mel Reading Corner)
31. Marina (Momma Writes About Books)
32. Janet (Fond of Snape)
33. Kim (Honeyed Words)
34. Deslily (Here, There, and Everywhere)
35. Cath (Read Warbler)
36. Cdn Reader (The Golden Flask)
37. Karin (Kucki’s Cookies)
38. Stephanie (The Written Word)
39. Dark Orpheus
40. Callista (S.M.S. Book Reviews)
41. Michelle (Plainssong)
42. CoversGirl (Between the Covers)
43. Steve (Paula’s Husband) ๐Ÿ˜‰
44. Adrienne (Bookmark My Heart)
45. Jennyellen (Jenny’s Corner)
46. Jen (Glitterless Gold)
47. SuziQoregon (Blogging My Books)
48. Naida (The Bookworm)
49. Melanie (The Indextrious Reader)
50. Framed (Framed and Booked)
51. JenClair (A Garden Carried in the Pocket)
52. Mrs. Micah
53. Jodie (Snowslices)
54. Tanabata (In Spring it is the Dawn)
55. Trisha J. (The Life of an Obsessed Reader)
56. Lightheaded (Everyday Reads)
57. Courtney (The Public, The Private, and Everything in Between)
58. Eloise (Eloise by the Bookpiles)
59. Kim (Wilsonworld)
60. Les (Lesley’s Book Nook)
61. Dew (The Hidden Side of a Leaf)
62. Danielle (A Work in Progress)
63. Somer (SomeReads)
64. aka_nic (Keep this on the DL)
65. Iliana (BookGirl’s Nightstand)
66. Sam Woodfin (The Blog Formerly Known as Taosbound)
67. Patti (Piper’s Book Blog)
68. Paula (Basset Knitter)
69. Jeff Smith (comic book guru)
70. 3M (One More Chapter)
71. Megan (Working Title)
72. Audrey (Organized Chaos)
73. Bill (Red Ink Review)
74. Trish (Trish’s Reading Nook)
75. Jill (Individual Take)
76. Nancy (Bookfoolery and Babble)
77. Melanie (Cynical Optimism)
78. Gautami Tripathy (My Own Little Reading Room)
79. Bonnie Jacobs (Bonnie’s Books)
80. J.S. Peyton (BiblioAddict)
81. RusVW (Rhetoric and Ramblings)
82. Sandra (Blue Frog Hollow)
83. Cory (The Dragon’s Loss)
84. Colleen Gleason
85. Booksplease
86. Alisonwonderland (So Many Books, So Little Time)
87. Cecelia (Knitting Chaos)
88. Jamie
89. Christina (My Little Bookmark)
90. Dana (Think Pink)
91. Lisa (Bibliomusings)
92. Susan (Bloggin ‘Bout Books)
93. Pam (Sidewalk Shoes)
94. Eva (A Striped Armchair)
95. Pat
96. Fence (Susan Hated Literature)
97. Emma (Treehouse Jukebox: Adventures in Earth)
98. The Literate Kitten
99. Todd (Mouldering Earths and Bookdust)
1oo. Lesley (A Life in Books)
101. Christina (We Heart Paperbacks)
102. Michelle (Overdue Books)
103. Ally Kat (What Does A College Student Read)
104. Melrose Plant (A Fair Substitute For Heaven)
105. Pardon My French
106. Shannon (Just Another Musing)
107. Rebecca (Fibermom)
108. Vidalia (Vidalia’s Books)
109. Kate (Kate…Naturally)
110. Bee (Booknerd)
111. The Individual Voice
112. Rampant Bicycle
113. Deborah (Knit Story)
114. Dana (Much Madness is Divinest Sense)
115. Christina (I Heart Paperbacks)
116. Anita (Knitting Gardner)

297 thoughts on “Something R.I.P.ing This Way Comes”

  1. I don’t think I am going to do any of your perils. I am just going to make a list and read a few of them. I suck at following lists, I read by mood, so I like to be flexible for myself.

    I still don’t know what my fun book is going to be (in other words, me spending money), but I do plan to read Fragile Things when it comes out in September. ๐Ÿ™‚

    And, I am happy to see that you think Conan fits. I imagine that will wind up being one of my choices.

    Happy Reading! I am off to look up your books on Amazon because they have pretty sides and titles… ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Considering the fact that you read so quickly, I would assume your reading would fit in Peril the First, wouldn’t it Kailana? I mean, you will read more than four books in the first week, won’t you? ๐Ÿ˜‰

    And is Fragile Things really not out in Canada yet? It has been published for over a year.

  3. I seriously should buy Jonathan Carroll, is the book you have pictured above the best one to start with? I have to find him somewhere other amazon.ca, he takes months to get here ๐Ÿ™

  4. It is in my opinion. That or Bones of the Moon. Land of Laughs is a very quick and entertaining read.

  5. well, yes, probably… I was looking at last years and I only read 5 books… Well, that I counted for the challenge. Rather sucky amount I have to admit (for me, sorry, not meaning to be offensive!)

  6. No offense taken, you are just one of the fastest readers I know and figured you could easily polish off 4 books in 2 months and 2 weeks. No pressure, seriously! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Once Spectrum comes out in October you’ll be lost for days, like Jeff and I, and won’t get any reading done! ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Yeah, you’re a bad influence. lol As if I don’t have enough books that take me away from the ‘real’ world.

    I think I am going to aim for 20 this year…

  8. Well, I read more than five books in two months last year, I was just only aiming for five so I only posted about 5. ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. What good timing, I just started on some Stephen King. Also started on Jonathan Strange but got distracted after the first 2 chapters and intending to reread Gormenghast. I think I’ll join in this challenge – just to push myself and ensure I continue reading them.

  10. I am so in! Can’t wait to get started. I’ll probably go for Peril the First, though I hope to read more than four books! I’m going to go browse my bookshelves and come up with a list of potentials. One I know I’ll read is a book I picked up this weekend. High Spirits: A Collection of Ghost Stories by Robertson Davies.

  11. I am thrilled to read this announcement and invitation. And, I will complete the challenge if it’s the last thing I do. I read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell last year, as well as Dracula, both of which were well worth reading in Autumn. As soon as I refine my list for this year, of four or more, I’ll be sure to post. However, I’m already getting shivers of excitement!

  12. Can’t wait and will go with Peril the First as well. I’ve already got quite a few titles written down, but look forward to seeing what others are going to choose!

  13. I like the ” pool ” of books idea a lot. Now I need to work on my stack and I’ll get back with you. ๐Ÿ™‚

  14. By the way, I had no idea that Baltimore was out already! Is it as cool as I was hoping it would be? I know you haven’t read it yet, but from what you can see. From what I’ve heard it sounds like an incredible book. Blood and Chocolate is another one I’ve been wanting to read. I picked up Freaks on your recommendation but still haven’t read it yet. I’ll get to it soon. Great stack!

  15. I’ll be participating, but I don’t know which peril. I’m under the category of “I don’t typically read this kind of thing.” But a challenge is supposed to challenge as you said. So I’m open to suggestions. I know I’ll be doing Dracula because my best friend is directing it and she wants me to read it ๐Ÿ™‚ And Frankenstein is always fun. So that one is probably a given for me.

  16. I am SO in – will work out my peril soon – and post in in my challenge blog. As I read the books I will link them back to my main blog ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. I’m definitely in! I will be doing the first peril. I like the idea of a stack of books to choose from, and will try to have that stack ready by this evening. I also love the idea of “Short Story Sunday” and will try to work that in as well.

  18. Yay sign me up! I will put up a list on my blog Rhinoa’s Ramblings once I have decided. I am reading The Complete Tales of Edgar Allen Poe one tale a day anyway which I should finish in the middle of September. Can I count this as I am already halfway through it? Can’t wait to get started!

  19. I’m in, Carl. I’ll try for Peril the Third…. and you made it easy for me to choose. I’ll go with the two monsters (ahem!) that you mentioned — Jonathan Strange and Dr Norrell; and Glass Books of the Dream Eaters. For my sandwich filling (hehe), I’ve chosen Dean Koontz’ Shattered, plus The Lazy Tour of Two Idle Apprentices, by Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins as an alternate or a possible extra. I’ve also downloaded a scaaarrryy selection of Edgar Allan Poe, so will hopefully do the short story challenge too. I’ll update my blog in the next few days. THANKS!

  20. I’m in this year. I have next week off work and it will be the perfect time to get geared up for this. ๐Ÿ™‚

  21. Rhinoa, yes you can count your EA Poe tales reading.

    Chris, I am already about halfway through Baltimore. Jeff and I ordered the special edition through Diamond Comics and they came into the shop this week. Part of the reason for allowing everyone to start their reading early is because Jeff and I are doing just that. The story is fantastic so far, I’m really enjoying it. It has just the kind of old-timey gothic feel that is the epitome of this challenge. The Mignola illustrations are a great touch, especially the occasional full page illustration.

    So glad you are joining in Becky eventhough this isn’t your kind of reading.

    I’m excited about the response so far! I look forward to seeing what all of you choose to read.

  22. I’m definately in. I just need to check my stacks to see which peril will fit. I will blog about it soon. Great buttons, by the way!

  23. I am definitely in! I posted my list here.

    I’m doing Peril the First. I’d love to do a few more, especially the Short Stories, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to, what with moving next month. I’ll be looking forward to your short story posts, though!

    Thank you for another great challenge, Carl!

  24. I’m ready to start! Made my list and everything. I think Coraline should be required reading for this one. It was one of the creepiest little books I’ve read. I gave it to my 9 year old son to read. Thanks for hosting.

  25. Hey Carl – GREAT challenge – and I love the post on this one ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you for including short stories. I have Stephen King’s Everything Eventual on my TBR stack (I think I bought this 5 years ago!) and so I’M IN! I’ll post on my blog later today. I’ve also given you some advertising on my other blog – novelchallenges.blogspot.com

  26. Yay, the RIP Challenge is back! I’ll be joining. I’ll probably do the first Peril but I promise to post soon my list of books and all that good stuff. Thank you for hosting this one again!

  27. Yes, Yes, Yes!! My favorite time of year, and my favorite genre of books!! I’m in!! (and I promise to do way better than I did for the Once Upon a Time challenge!)

    I’m definitely in for Peril the first…..but I may be up for some of the larger books as well. I’ve been dying to read both Jonathon Strange AND the Glass Books of the Dream Eaters!! And since I haven’t read Fragile Things, that will definitely be on my list!!

    Thanks for hosting such WONDERFUL challenges!! I’m so glad I found this blog!

  28. I believe you’ve made a lot of people happy today, Carl! Annie and I included.
    If I don’t screw this up, my list should be here. (Not sure if it matters, but I’m going with Peril the First, Additional Peril, and Short Story Sunday Peril. And yes, for me, that is quite the challenge.
    I’ll be back later with Annie’s link once she’s posted her list.

  29. I’m totally in! I’ll be reading The Other by Thomas Tryon, I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, Four and Twenty Blackbirds
    by Cherie Priest and Strangers by Taichi Yamada for starters. This year, I’m back to my reading self! I even have a book from my childhood that I’ll be rereading…can’t wait! I’ll be posting a picture of the books as soon as I get in…in a nice stack!

  30. Hi Carl. I will probably end up doing a bit of an abbreviated challenge. I would love to try and read four books, but I’m not sure whether I will be able to or not. If I can’t squeeze in four, I will read one novel and four or more short stories. I was hoping to read some short stories irregardless, so I am glad you included them. Great challenge ideas by the way.

  31. oooooh! Count me in for Peril One! We can start early can’t we? Before reading this post, I requested Poltergeist, Rises the night and The thirteenth tale from the library….I don’t usually read dark stuff, but I’ve been paging thru your book reviews and picking stuff I thought I’d like. I guess I’ll do Peril One x 2, a book a week.

  32. Yay…the R.I.P challenge is back! I love that you’ve given us several perils from which to choose (and that you included the ever-so-good Thirteenth Tale which I may have to re-read). I’m going to take some time to choose my peril and make my reading selections.

  33. Don’t know if I’ll officially participate this time around, as I’m just keeping my head above water in reading review copies as they come to me…
    But I’ll definitely be checking out the review site for some fun reviews.

  34. I’m more of a mystery reader, but I am going to take up this challenge! I can’t wait, going to do some research for my list!

  35. No worries, Angela. If you find that you have alot of urban fantasy to read though, jump on in!

    So glad to have the great turnout so far. Make sure and come back and give me a link to your list or pool if you are doing one so that I can post it here.

  36. Right on, Carl V.!

    I’m going to host a Horror Short Story Challenge as well, linking to your site.

    Bring it on!!!!!

  37. I’m in. Didn’t hear about last year’s in time, and ended up vicariously imperilled via Quixotic.

    I will be doing Peril Two, with possibly a bit of overlap from Peril One or Four. (I read quickly. Back when I was an undergraduate, I wanted to see if I could emulate the guy in Northanger Abbey and read The Mysteries of Udolpho in two days. I could. Perhaps I should read it again; it’s been about six years).

    This time round, I must remember to post when I finish the challenge, though! I completed the Classics Challenge back in the spring but never did the post…

  38. Carl, sign me up even though my list isn’t fully defined yet. Might I add, for any one who’s interested, The Historian is an awesome book. Especially after reading Dracula first.

  39. This one is too interesting. I can’t resist.

    *Don’t Look Now and other stories Daphne duMaurier
    *Great Irish Tales of Horror
    *The House on the Strand Daphne duMaurier
    *(And if I win the First Look for Sept) 20th Century Ghosts Joe Hill

  40. I’ve never done a challenge before, but this one is so me it’s not even funny! So sign me up…my list isn’t complete quite yet but so far I have The Complete Tales of Edgar Allan Poe, The House of Seven Gables by Hawthorne, and Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer. Unfortunately I have read pretty much all the dark fiction I already own so–poor me–I shall just have to make a trek to the bookstore!

  41. Oh Carl! Thank you for Peril the Fourth! I have been looking forward since last year to this year’s challenge but didn’t think I could join up because I’m starting school in September and four books seemed like a lot to juggled on a deadline. But I am sure I can do one and maybe even two! So please sign me up!

  42. Count me in for the first Peril! I love it! I’ll have to come up with a reading list later, but I AM IN!!!
    htw

  43. Yay! I’ve been waiting for this! Missed the challenge last year, but I’m definitely in for R.I.P. II

    I’ll get my list posted and be back here to share the link. Thanks for hosting this again, Carl! My goodness, is there anyone in the Blogosphere not participating?!

  44. I’m in! I’ll be doing Peril the First-my list is up in my sidebar, but I haven’t posted about it yet. Very excited:
    The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons
    Seven Gothic Tales by Isak Dinesen
    Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
    The Ghost Writer by John Harwood

  45. OH Sign me up for Peril 1 I have read Jonathon STrange and Mr Norrel so will pass on the tohme peril.

    Thanks for arranging this

  46. *Cheer!* Great hype Carl, it all sounds so enticing in a spine-shivering sort of way.

    Count me in for Peril the first – vampire style.

    I’ll be reading
    Dracula – Bram Stoker
    Night Watch – Sergei Lukyanenko
    Baltimore – Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden
    Mortal Companion – Patrick Califa

    I’ll have to look into some short stories as well, but that’s the starting list ๐Ÿ™‚

  47. Hi Carl! Debi told me about this challenge and well, I’m in. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Here’s my list:
    – The Resort by Bentley Little
    – Prom Nights From Hell by Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Lauren Myracle & Stephenie Meyer
    – The Doorkeepers by Graham Masterton
    – The Scent of Shadows (First Sign of the Zodiac) by Vicki Pettersson

  48. Carl, I’m here via Stefanie’s blog. Please count me in on this challenge! I’ve got to pick some books out. When I do, I will post back here with the link. Thank you for this fun challenge.

  49. Seriously considered this last year and opted out, but you’ve included so many references in your post to Lovecraft that I think I’ll have to jump on board this year.

    I have family who created a small independent film based on one of his works and it was a jumping off point for them to hopefully get into some bigger and better film works in that genre.

    So, add me to the challenge and I’ll return with my own list in a day or two. Thanks!

  50. Hello! I am new to your blog but heard about this challenge and am very excited to sign up. I would like to do peril number one. I will post soon about which books I am going to read. Thanks and I can’t wait to begin!

  51. I am in! I loved this challenge last year and had so much fun.
    I am going to try the sandwich peril.
    I really love H.P. Lovecraft too!
    I will be reading his collected works.
    and I will read “The 13th Tale” (I can’t believe I haven’t read that one yet.)
    I will also read ‘The collected works of Edgar Allen Poe’.
    And… I may even be able to squeeze in The Mystery of the Sea by Bram Stoker for extra credit.

    I will also encourage my Husband to check out your site so he can make his list too. you guys have the same intrests.

  52. Great challenge, great introduction, great book suggestions.

    I’m rather committed to my self imposed Booker challenge at the moment, but I might try to read some scary stuff when I’m done. I have ‘Strangers’ by Taichi Yamada on my TBR shelf – which claims to be a Japanese ghost story. I think I’ll start with that!

  53. OK, I am in. I have Norell, I am Legend, Woman in White and several Jim Butcher books, so I will go for Peril 1 with 4 books.

  54. Hi, I’m going to do Peril and First and am really looking forward to lots of spooky reads. My list is now up on my blog.

  55. oh wow! 100 comments!!

    If you are still wondering if I am joining in on RIP you might want to check my post!

  56. I’ll post my pool of books soon. I can’t believe it is already been a year since the last RIP challenge. Time has really gone fast. Looking forward to this year’s challenge with much enthusiasm. Thanks for hosting again, Carl.

  57. I choose peril the first.
    My books are – The Mysteries of Udolpho by, Ann Radcliffe

    The Phantom of the Opera by, Gaston Leroux

    The Picture of Dorian Gray by, Oscar Wilde

    Northanger Abbey by, Jane Austin

  58. This sounds great! I love Halloween and I love this genre, so this challenge should be a blast. I will choose and post my books later!

  59. Your challenge is the only one I will commit to committing to all year. I love it. I’ll post my list SOON! Does Gaiman’s Neverwhere count? I just checked it out.

  60. Yes, Sheri, Neverwhere counts in my book. Can’t wait to see what you think of it.

  61. Count me in for the second year! I have actually been hording away my books for this year’s challenge since the end of last year’s challenge (am I a book geek or what?)! I think I am doing Peril the First even though one of my books classifies me for Peril the Second. Maybe I’ll do both! I will get my list up on my blog very, very soon.

  62. Fabulous! I missed out on last year’s challenge and have been waiting impatiently for this one. Still mulling over my list of books but considering Frankenstein, a Johnathan Carroll (LOVE him!), Northanger Abbey, Fragile Things, Sabriel, Dracula, and The Book of Lost Things by Jonathan Connelly.

  63. I would like to join the RIP Challenge and the Peril I am choosing is “Peril The Second”
    My Reading List:
    The entire “His Dark Materials” trilogy and the Harry Potter books
    #”s 4 to 7.
    If I finish the above books before October I will add Terry Brooks “The Word” Trilogy to my list also.
    By the way, great website.
    ~Steve
    (I am Paula’s husband)

  64. A subtropical spring may not be the most atmospheric time to read spooky stories, but sign me up anyway! I’ve posted my Peril the First list/pool and can’t wait to start reading.

  65. Such very good timing. I actually already started The Woman in White in anticipation, but for some reason also started The Lord of the Rings because I just finished The Hobbit. I didn’t think the Lord of the Rings would count. I also hope to read Dracula again; I read it about 15 years ago and I really enjoyed it then. I guess that means I am doing the Scary Sandwich Peril. That is good, because I like that name the best.

  66. Carl,
    Just so you know, my list of books for the challenge are now posted. Please add me to your participants list above. Thanks!

  67. Hey Steve! I’ve heard great things about you! I’m told you can use my site as a personal shopping list! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    I think LOTR counts as dark fantasy, Michelle, considering the thread of evil that runs throughout the book.

    I’m so thrilled that people are coming back from last year, that is great!

    If you don’t see your name on the list above, please let me know. If you say you are participating I am immediately putting your website on the Review Site links, but until I see that you have a list up I am holding off on the link in the body of this post, so let me know once you get that up.

  68. Woo Woo another excuse to read more books! I am off to post my list of “must reads” for my choice of Perils…i am going to do Peril #1, since i can’t decide, and that way I can just read all sorts of qualifying books!

  69. I am definitely going to join this challenge, but I was hoping someone could recommend some good titles for me to try.

    I have posted about it !

    thanks !

  70. Hi Carl,
    I haven’t read you before, but Nymeth mentioned your challenge in her blog. I wanted to let you know that the theme for the Bookworms carnival for October is spooky/creepy. I don’t know if you’ve heard of the carnival yet, but you and your readers may be interested in submitting your reviews of these books to the carnival. If you click on the link to my blog, there’s a carnival button on the left, and you can see who the host is for October, and find out how/when/where to submit posts.

    Meanwhile, I’m going to do at least Peril the Fourth, because I’ve been meaning to read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell ever since it was published.

  71. My goodness Carl, you have more than a few participants. I’m going to put a link on my blog, but hold off on the list until I get a chance to think about it a little more.

  72. Whee, I’m in! I’ve got quite a few Stephen King books lying around, as well as some other thriller/chiller things that I’m thinking would fit. With regards to the Obese Peril, would a compendium of sorts qualify? By that I mean a series bound into one large book. I’ll drag out everything in my bookshelf this weekend, and make a list!

  73. I’m signing up, officially. Now, I know I’ve signed up for these things before and not completed them but this time I am SERIOUS. Will write more why on my blog today…

  74. I’d like to join. I’ll probably choose the first peril. Thing is, I’ve exams the whole month of September! That means I have a month to fit in four books!

    Top of the head I’d probably choose these:

    Lost Boy, Lost Girl – Peter Straub
    The Thirteenth Tale – Diane Setterfield
    Dracula – Bram Stoker
    Tales and Poems – Edgar Allan Poe
    Coraline – Neil Gaiman (reread)
    Witchery: A Ghost of Albion Novel- Amber Benson and Christopher Golden (reread)

  75. As I seldom read this genre, I think I will give ita try.

    Do count me in. I will put up my list in a day or so. I need to look around first!

    ๐Ÿ˜€

  76. Hurray for new peril. I’ll be playing along at my livejournal http://snowslices.livejournal.com/
    I’ve chosen the 3rd peril with my two large books being Stephen King’s IT and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel by Susanne Clarke. The book in the middle will either be The Mist in the Mirror by Susan Hill or Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill.

  77. I’m definitely up for this peril. I think mine would fall into Peril the First.

    I shall endeavour to read the complete short stories of Nathaniel Hawthorne (not quite Poe, but still often creepy) as well as the Mysteries of Udolpho!

  78. Melrose: Make sure to come back and leave me a link when you decide on your list or pool.

    Danielle: Oooo…I want to read Udolpho too, really bad.

    Dew: Thanks, I’ll check out the carnival and I hope everyone else will as well. Glad you’re joining in!

    Kim: You can certainly read more books, or different books, than the ones you listed. The whole purpose for a list or pool, in my opinion, is to give others ideas of what is all out there to read.

    SQT: Uh oh, does that mean more criticism is on the way? ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Asara: Yes, that would indeed qualify.

    Courtney: participation is the main thing, not finishing.

    I’m excited about both the return participants and all the new ones! Keep getting the word out!

  79. Well, thanks to Chris, Nymeth, and DesLily, I’ve decided to give this a try. It does sound like fun.

    So, Carl, please add me to the list. I’ll get my selections up over at my place soon.

    cjh

  80. Oh, who am I kidding? I’m in, even if it’s NOT YET FALL. But close enough. I’ll be doing Peril the First, four books that will be determined in advance and then changed absolutely throughout the challenge.

    I’ll post my List sometime next week and….I guess post back on this thread?

  81. I would like to sign up for the 3rd peril please, my two monsters would be “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell” by Susanna Clarke and “The Historian” by Elizabeth Kostova and my in between book will be “The Woman in White” by Wilkie Collins. This is my very first challenge for my group A Novel Challenge so I am very nervous and excited!

  82. Here’s my list. I’ve deceided to go with the pile method Carl is using as well.

    Baltimore by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden.
    Bones of the Giants by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden.
    The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.
    Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason.
    The Land of Laughs by Jonathan Carroll.
    Swamp Thing Vol. 1 by Alan Moore and Various.
    Marvel Zombies Vol.1 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips.
    Sevens Stars by Bram Stoker if I can find it during the challenge somewhere.
    Edgar Allan Poe for Sunday reads.

  83. Hi Carl!
    I just couldn’t wait for September 1st to start and just finished the H.P. Lovecraft collection of short stories. That I had in my RIP list.
    So I am going to change my Scary Sandwich Peril to this list:
    Glass Books of the Dream Eaters.

    The 13th Tale.

    ‘The Edgar Allen Poe Collection.

    I posted the list on my site:
    http://bassetknitter.blogspot.com

    Oh and I can’t find my name on the list.
    I think I got lost.

  84. Hi, I would love to join in this challenge as well. Peril the First sounds right up my alley.
    1. Haunted Ground by Stephen Gresham
    2. The Unwelcome Child by Terese Pampellonne
    3. A House Divided by Deborah LeBlanc
    4. The Midnight Tour by Richard Laymon
    And I would like to try an Additional Peril if time allows.
    Thanks!

  85. This is the coolest challenge! I read about it on a yahoo reading group (thematic classics challenge fyi) and was immediately excited. As i am currently trying to work on the 1001 BTRBYD list i picked the first Peril to get through 4 more classic ones i haven’t read. Hooray!

  86. I’ll take the first peril, thank you, Carl!

    Woman in Black – Susan Hill
    Neverwhere – Neil Gaiman
    The Prestige – Christopher Priest
    Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – Robert Lewis Stevenson

    Alternates: (Thank heaven for Library Thing and the “gothic” tag!)

    Mary Reilly – Valerie Martin
    The Quincunx – Charles Palliser
    Something Wicked This Way Comes – Ray Bradbury
    Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad (I think it qualifies as dark and scary)

  87. Hi Carl – I don’t think I’ve run into you before. Thanks for hosting such a great (and varied) challenge. I am taking on a “baby” peril due to time, but I think it will work perfectly!
    Here’s my link:
    Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

  88. I am going to do the Sunday Short Story Peril. I have a ton of other stuff going on next month, so I do not think I will be able to do more.

  89. Okay, sign me up!

    Here are the books in my challenge:

    1. Poltergeist by Kat Richardson

    2. The Road to Hell by Jackie Kessler

    3. The Thirteenth Tale by the woman whose name I can’t remember and am too lazy to scroll up to look at

    4. Something by Wilkie Collins, probably.

    Sorry, Carl, I didn’t put on Dracula yet. ๐Ÿ™‚

  90. I’m in too, although I hate that I’m finding this so late, but still the day before! I’ll just have to figure out what I’m in the mood to read from the possibilities.

  91. Yeah! Last year I found out about this too late to jion in but I made it in time this year. I will post my list over at Blue Frog Hollow (www.cavalierarts.nat/charis). I am not so good at linking things up though so I will work on that for the reviews.

  92. I’m in, and I’ve posted my list of books….so sign me up! Thanks, Carl, for doing this! You are the best!

  93. Yay! I was waiting for this this year! I will have a think on what I am going to read. I just finished Strange and Norrell over the summer. Should have saved it! I’ll put up a list at Overdue Books.

    Thanks for running this again!

  94. I definitely want to be a part of this challenge. I want to do both the first and second challenge. This is definitely my kind of reading, particularly at this time (my favorite time) of year. Kathleen
    PS I will get my list together and post it tomorrow.

  95. Sign me up! I’ll be doing the first challenge and I should have my reading choices up some time later tomorrow! I’m sure some Neil Gaiman will be on the list since I’ve never read any of his stuff but always wanted to.

    This challenge is just too fun to pass up! Especially since I’ve been wanted to read some horror lately.

  96. I thought it was not my cuppa tea, but then I read your list of books and realized … yes, I do read these books. I decided to start small, with Peril the Fourth, Just a Bit of Peril, ONE book. So I listed some books to choose my ONE book from … and came up with TWELVE. Oh, my, I may have to go with Peril the First, FOUR books. Anyway, here’s my list for consideration:
    1. Coraline ~ by Neil Gaiman
    2. The Hot Zone ~ by Richard Preston
    3. The Man in the High Castle ~ by Phillip K. Dick
    4. The Martian Chronicles ~ by Ray Bradbury
    5. The People’s Act of Love ~ by James Meek
    6. The Secret History ~ by Donna Tartt
    7. The Shadow of the Wind ~ by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
    8. Something Wicked This Way Comes ~ by Ray Bradbury
    9. A Stir of Echoes ~or~ I Am Legend ~ by Richard Matheson
    10. Strange Happenings ~ by Avi
    11. The Thirteenth Tale ~ by Diane Setterfield ~ also on my Saturday Review of Books list
    12. Woman on the Edge of Time ~ by Marge Piercy

    And here’s my post that includes my list:
    http://bonniesbooks.blogspot.com/2007/09/readers-imbibing-peril-rip-2-challenge.html

  97. Oh, I’m so happy to have found this challenge! I was just about to finish a book, and feeling like I needed a new focus. This will be perfect. I will have to look through some of the lists, since I don’t have any books in mind right now. I’ll try and post my list tomorrow.

  98. I have a blog! I just started it today. I posted The books I picked for the challenge are now officially posted! Muah-ha-ha-ha-ha….

    SInce I am new at the whole blogging thing, any tips would be welcome…

  99. Oh–and I suppose I should have mentioned that it is the First Peril that I am undertaking…

  100. Oh… this sounds like such a great way to welcome fall… I will have to contemplate which peril I am going to commit to… this is not my usual genre! thanks for the idea.

  101. OK I thought that I was signed up but don’t see my name on the list. What do I need to do and how do I do it?

  102. Weather is getting nippy; Halloween candy is in the stores, and the days are getting darker. Perfect time for this challenge! Won’t make a list I’ll just see where the spirits lead me. Thanks for hosting it!

  103. Kathleen, do you have a site? If not, post a comment here about your potential book list. Just by saying here that you are joining in you are entered into the drawing, but the list above in the post is where I am linking to people’s sites or lists to give others ideas of what they might want to read. Does that make sense? Anyway, if you have a site leave me a link. As far as being involved in the challenge, consider yourself in, and Welcome! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  104. Here’s my list for the challenge: Haunted England by Terence Whitaker, Sleeping in Flame by Jonathon Carroll, Nocturnes (short stories) by John Connolly, Fahreneit 415 by Ray Bradbury. This afternoon I’m going to Borders to get the next Greywalker and Baltimore. The first three I have already finished.

  105. CARL! I was up til all hours last night reading Twilight! I ADORE this book!!! The author is at our local Barnes & Noble on 9/11…I think I might go, get a couple few books signed!

  106. That’s great, Janet. I know her books are wildly popular and I swore I’d read the first one for this challenge when I couldn’t get to it for last year’s challenge…and now I have a TOWER of books I want to read in the next 2 months and a mental tower of others, including Twilight. I’ll never get all the books read that I want to read, will I? And you know what, that’s a good thing because I’d hate to run out of books to read!

  107. Welcome Emma, I’ve got you added to the list here and to the review site.

  108. I will gleefully accept the “Dagwood” version of the Third Peril (two giant books, plus several fillers) if you can suggest some different tomes to sandwich: I have already read all of the behemoths of text that you mention…
    I have already begun Baltimore, and am advising Emma (of Treehouse Jukebox and also the left-hand side of my bed) on books to read, me being a bit more of a spooky reader. May take this opportunity to read the personal letters of H. P. Lovecraft, finally…or the Lair of the White Worm…

  109. Love the Dagwood reference, Todd. Every so often I will come home from work and make myself a Dagwood. It is always fun.

    Can’t wait to hear what you think of Baltimore. I just heard about the Lovecraft letters when I read the brief bio of him in my short story book last night and they sound fascinating.

    I’d be interested in what you think of Lair of the White Worm. I have read almost all the Stoker books in print and Lair is, in my opinion, a mess…chiefly because, if I remember right, he hadn’t finished rewriting it. I may be remembering wrong, but I remember being disappointed by it. That way YEARS ago however so I may just have a poor memory.

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  111. I’m glad you are joining in again, its so good to make these connections again.

  112. And I am finished Peril the 1st, reading 4 books from any genre or whatever. I just started my 5th, so I plan to read more. And, no, I haven’t reviewed any of them, but I will soon!

  113. I’m tardy (as usual), but I’m up for this game! ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m attempting Peril the First. I’ll be thinking about my choices this evening.

  114. Late as usual but you hooked me with your review of The Thirteenth Tale. I’m getting myself to a library or bookstore asap.

  115. THIS is what happens when I get all busy with the start of school – I miss the beginning of R.I.P.!

    ๐Ÿ™

    Can I still join? I don’t know how much time I will have to read, since I now have all these grad school books to read too…but maybe I can have just a little peril?

  116. Okay, I have finally chosen my books. I hope I’m not too late! I’m gonna do Peril the First. My list is posted at my blog. Thanks Carl!

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  118. Is it too late to be involved in this? I keep seeing the icon, and I realize it started two weeks ago, but four books by Halloween is no big deal for me.

  119. Ummmm . . . I don’t see my name on the list – I thought I’d joined with my previous comment, but guess I didn’t. HELP! I have two reviews ready soon.

  120. Just finished Ghostwalk – the RIP Challenge was just the push I needed to finally take it from TBR to “READ”! This is too fun!

  121. Since it’s never too late, I would like to join in with Peril the First. Thanks for hosting this!

  122. Since it’s not to late i would love to join to. Thank you for hosting the challenge it sounds like fun.

  123. Okay, I’m going for Peril #1 — I have Wilkie Collins and a selection of Poe, will add the other two soon! This sounds like fun…great idea.

  124. A little too late to officially participate (story of my life!!) but just a huge thanks for putting the list together – it’s fabulous!! What a fantastic idea (ok, so I missed the first year, too; like I said, a little late!)!!

  125. My Mom told me about this challenge and I decided I MUST try it. I will go with peril the first and read 4 books. I have three picked out, Rebecca, The Thirteenth Tale, and Jane Eyre, but I don’t know what to read for my fourth selection! I am scanning your website for ideas. If anyone has any suggestions please visit my blog, what does a college student read at blogspot!

  126. I finished my four RIP Challenge, but I haven’t had enough! So I plan on adding two more. Which two? That will be decided tomorrow at the bookstore!

  127. Ok, I’d thought I’d signed up, but perhaps I did something wrong.. but so far I’ve read Angelica by Arthur Philips, The book of words by Avi, The Water Mirror and Blood and Chocolate. today I’m starting A harvest of Changelings…

  128. Anita, I think I see the problem. The links to participants above is to those who chose lists so that others could see what they are reading. I do have your site listed on the R.I.P. Review site as a participant. I will add you to the above list with a link to this comment since it is showing what you read/are reading. Good choices!

  129. Even though I finished the challenge by reading my four books, I have decided to add one more–The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. I found the reviews on the “Yarns” page fascinating!

  130. At long last, I have put my mind (and bookshelf) to this challenge, and it’s going to take a heroic effort for me to finish in the time I have left. I am going to try Peril the Second, and my books are Needful Things and The Stand, both by Stephen King. They’re two of the thickest books on my shelf that aren’t compilations of other books or short stories. Here goes nothing!

  131. Carl:
    Thanks for helping the techno challenged out! I’ve finished harvest of changelings, the water mirror and on to Good omens. this is a great month!

  132. I’d like to participate if its not too late. I’ve already began reading some books…

  133. Sure Annie, we’d love to have you! Its never too late! Make sure you post any reviews of books you do on the R.I.P. Review site (link in my sidebar).

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  135. I took a day or two away from darkness and read a book that I liked VERY MUCH! The title is: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. This is her first book and it has been described as “southern-fried magical realism.” All I know is that I was smitten with the story and the characters. I love her view of life and the world in which we live. Hell yes I say!

  136. Thanks for the challenge! I finished a couple or so days ago but it’s only now I get to post the last of my thoughts on an RIP II book in the RIPing Yarns site.

  137. Thanks for running this amazing challenge, Carl! I read 4 books, even if they weren’t the ones on my original list…but it was a lot of fun.

  138. This challenge is such a great idea, sorry I missed it last year. I’ve already taken a photo of some possibilities for this challenge. Thanks for hosting.

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