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Something R.I.P.ing This Way Comes…for a third time.

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(R.I.P. III banner, photo staged and edited in Photoshop by Carl V.)

Mystery.
Suspense.
Thriller.
Dark Fantasy.
Gothic.
Horror.
Supernatural.

There is just something about this time of year, when the ghosts of past Autumns and the Autumn to come chase away the dog days of summer, that entices one to read books that fit into the above categories.

It was a desire share the love of eerie, creepy, things-that-go-bump-in-the-night literature that brought me into the online reading challenge game for the first time back in September of 2006. My goals today, in this its third iteration, are no different than the inaugural R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril Challenge:

1. Have fun reading.
2. Share that fun with others.

It is that simple. Read on.

There has been a smattering of talk around sites that I frequent, which I myself have participated in, regarding some of the negative aspects of challenges: pressure to participate, the feeling of the need to adhere to a pre-set list, feelings of failure if the challenge is not completed. I started to address this in my own way during last year’s R.I.P. II Challenge by offering a one-book option, which is something I want to repeat this year.

I want the challenges that I host to have the best of both worlds: a true ‘challenge’ for those who are so inclined, and an ‘I just want to play along’ category for those who do not want to feel locked in but want to be a part of the festivities.

And so, on to the particulars:

1. R.I.P. III runs from September 1st through October 31st, 2008. But I’m no stickler, start reading now if you feel so inclined.

2. Choose one of more of the perils listed below (skull image by Mike Mignola):

Peril the First:

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

Peril the Second:

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

Read One book of any length from one of the subgenres listed above.

This peril is for those who want to participate but don’t want to get bogged down in a long list of books. It is also for those who feel this type of reading is not their proverbial cup of tea but are willing to challenge themselves by giving just one book a try.

3. Leave a comment here announcing your intention to join and a link to the post* on your site, if you have one and choose to post about R.I.P. III.

*One of the things I enjoy about hosting and joining challenges is seeing what everyone else might be reading. I also like posting my own list–yet I am the first to break said list as my whims take control. So this year I want to do something a little different. Rather than posting a list of books you feel locked in to, instead post a pool of potential reads. That way we can all gather ideas from other people’s pools and no one need suffer the hangover effects of feeling boxed in by a list. Sound good? Those of you who want to participate but do not have blogs are welcome to post your book pool in the comments section here and I will link to it in the body of the post.

4. Post links to your reviews on the R.I.P.ing Yarns Review Site. I am using last year’s review site and posting a new comment thread in which you can post this year’s reviews. That way you can also go back and check out last year’s reviews (you may have to hit the ‘click here’ link at the bottom of the post to get last year’s list to pop up).

5. The most important thing: Have Fun! R.I.P. III is more than just a reading challenge. There will be contests and giveaways and some of the subject matter of my regular posts, especially as we approach October, will be more in fitting with the R.I.P. III spirit. There are artists who have committed to interviews and sales and other tie-ins as well.

For those of you who would like them, here are some banners in various sizes, feel free to ask if you need a size that is not featured here:

Participants:

1. Carl’s Pool
2. Chris’s Pool
3. Paula’s Pool
4. SFP’s Pool
5. Bart’s Pool
6. Jem’s Pool
7. Nymeth’s Pool
8. Katrina’s Pool
9. Cath’s Pool
10. Rhinoa’s Pool
11. Alessandra’s Pool
12. Stephanie’s Pool
13. Jodie’s Pool
14. Robin’s Pool
15. Petunia’s Pool
16. Chris’ (Book-a-rama) Pool
17. Raidergirl3’s Pool
18. Laura’s Pool
19. Jackie’s Pool
20. Becky’s Pool
21. Deslily’s Pool
22. Lightheaded’s Pool
23. Holley’s Pool
24. Andi’s Pool
25. Lisa’s Pool
26. Jennyellen’s Pool
27. Ex Libris’ Pool
28. Qugrainne’s Peril
29. Daphne’s Pool
30. Framed’s Pool
31. SG Taylor’s Pool
32. Stefanie’s Pool
33. Melanie’s Pool
34. Sam’s Pool
35. Melissa’s Pool
36. Bellezza’s Pool
37. Ginny’s Pool
39. Traci’s Pool
39. Lesley’s Pool
40. Les’ Pool
41. Peta’s Pool
42. Tanabata’s Pool
43. Susan’s Pool
44. Kailana’s Pool
45. Jessica’s Pool
46. Pardon My French’s Pool
47. Bookchronicle’s Pool
48. Marineko’s Pool
49. Kristina’s Pool
50. Moo’s Pool
51. Jeff’s Pool
52. Heather’s Pool
53. Bobbi’s Pool
54. Veronica’s Pool
55. Rachael’s Pool
56. Bookworm’s Pool
57. Carrie’s Pool
58. Ken’s Pool
59. Suey’s Pool
60. Kelly’s Pool
61. Danielle’s Pool
62. Corinne’s Peril
63. A Geek Girl’s pool
64. Dana’s Pool
65. Jamie’s Pool
66. J.S. Peyton’s Pool
67. Annie’s Pool
68. Debi’s Pool
69. Elizabeth W.’s Pool
70. Sassymonkey’s Pool
71. Alexandra’s Pool
72. Janet’s Pool
73. Bride of the Book God’s Pool
74. Quenby’s Pool
75. Iliana’s Pool
76. Christina’s Pool
77. Melanie’s Pool
78. Stephanie’s Pool
79. Booksplease’s Pool
80. Somer’s Pool
81. Lethe’s Pool
82. Claire’s Pool
83. Cat’s Pool
84. Panda Dynasty’s Pool
85. Linds’ Pool
86. Vasilly’s Pool
87. Alice Teh’s Pool
88. Sarah’s Pool
89. Colleen’s Pool
90. Dark Orpheus’ Pool
91. Nicola’s Pool
92. Brie’s Pool
93. Terrie’s Pool
94. Quixotic’s Pool
95. John M’s Pool
96. Susan L’s Pool
97. Joanne’s Pool
98. Kristi’s Pool
99. Claire’s Pool
100. Gina’s Pool
101. Nanshe’s Pool
102. Mari’s Pool
103. Megan’s Pool
104. Deborah’s Pool
105. Geranium Cat’s Pool
106. 5elementknitr’s Pool
107. Marg’s Pool
108. -V-‘s Pool
109. Lisa’s Pool
110. Stormfilled’s Pool
111. Chelle’s Pool
112. Darla’s Pool
113. Chay’s Pool
114. Memory’s Pool
115. Laurie’s Pool
116. Lynda’s Pool
117. Ruth’s Pool
118. Rich’s Pool
119. Christina’s Pool
120. JLShall’s Pool
121. Joanna’s Pool
122. Helen’s Pool
123. Kate’s Pool
124. Whitney’s Pool
125. Madeleine’s Pool
126. Mary Beth’s Pool
127. Emily’s Pool
128. Fence’s Pool
129. Angela’s Pool
130. Terri B.’s Peril
131. Callista’s Pool
132. Singinghorses’ Peril
133. Cafeshree’s Pool
134. Alison’s Pool
135. Amanda’s Pool
136. J.P.’s Pool
137. Becky’s Pool
138. Azull’s Pool
139. Sally’s Pool
140. Sommer’s Peril
141. Teresa’s Pool
142. Sarah’s Pool
143. Heather’s Pool
144. Carol’s Pool
145. Mariel’s Pool
146. 3m’s Pool
147. Deborah’s Pool
148. Icedream’s Pool
149. Blacklin’s Pool
150. Charli’s Pool
151. Joana’s Pool
152. Rio266’s Pool
153. Felicia’s Pool
154. Bekkah’s Pool
155. Jennifer Gordon’s Pool
156. Laurell Ann’s Pool
157. Lisa’s Peril
158. Stacey’s Pool
159. Alexandra’s Pool
160. My 2 Cents’ Pool
161. Gautami’s Pool
162. Fate’s Pool

I hope to see many of you join in this year, both in the reading of R.I.P.-style books and in the various R.I.P. III activities that will be occurring here throughout the next two months. And if you do any R.I.P. related posts on your site (reviews of creepy movies, related art posts, posts about your Halloween traditions, etc.) please let me know so that I can put a link to it on my site.

I have a lot of great ideas for this year’s 2 month R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril period and I cannot wait to share them with you. To that end, there is some R.I.P. II housekeeping that needs to be taken care of.

As those of you who were with us last year may recall, I had a new position at work and a couple of really big state certifcation audits that pretty much threw me out of the R.I.P. II loop last year. Those audits and their preparation lasted until the first week of December and resolving these issues has always felt a bit untimely. But now that we are back in the R.I.P. mode it is time to resolve these. On Wednesday I will post the stories and the results of last year’s Tiny Stories contest, last year’s Visitation drawing winner, and the winners of the recent When Twilight Breaks photo contest. Since both the stories contest and the photo contest involve Colleen Gleason prizes it seems only fitting.

I look forward to being your host on this third outing of the R.I.P. Challenge!

325 thoughts on “Something R.I.P.ing This Way Comes…for a third time.”

  1. Yaay! I’m first to sign up! My husband thinks I’m crazy that I’ve been waiting all year for this to come around again! I don’t have a list yet – it’s almost 1 am and I’m off to sleep – I will post it tomorrow (I’ve been stockpiling books all year for this challenge!) – I’ll be in the Peril The First, of course. I LOVE the banner this year, too. He’s so cute!!!

  2. Thanks Susan, and congrats on being the first! Here is a potential pool of books I want to read:


    (Ghost Writer image borrowed from Musings of a Bookish Kitty)

    The Graveyard Book and The Ghost in Love are not out yet but should be during this challenge period.

    I have two Lovecraft collections that I started last year and am anxious to get back to. Lovecraft was, for all intents and purposes, a new discovery for me last year and I was lost. I love the creepy nostalgia of his work. Who knows what else I may actually read, but these are ones I would like to get to during the challenge.

  3. I’m so joining in on this one. I’ve been counting down the days for weeks now. I’ll be doing peril the first, the four books. Though some may say that the idea of me doing just four books would be impossible.

  4. Aha!
    I Have been waiting for this challenge I have had my books chosen for a week now!
    Love the banner this year too!

    Okay this year I am going to choose Peril the First and my books are in the Gothic/Horror/Suspense genre and they are:
    Gothic Tales of Terror by Hanning
    American Gothic Tales by Joyce Carol Oates
    Turn of the Screw by Henry James
    The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

  5. P.S. My husband wants to join again this year too and will do his choosing tomorrow.
    P.S. what happens if you read more than 4?
    There are just so many good ones to choose this year!

  6. Pingback: RIP III is Here!!! « Stuff as Dreams are Made on

  7. Paula: It is perfectly fine to read more than four. I think Deslily made it through 4 or 5 of the 5-book quests for the last Once Upon a Time Challenge. If you read more than 4 that means we get more reviews of books to read from you! Glad your hubbie is joining in as well.

    Becky: Glad you’re joining in. I know you’ll read a ton! 😉

  8. I’ve been waiting for this one all year Carl! I’ve got my post up already…it’s here: http://stuffasdreamsaremadeon.com/2008/08/24/rip-iii-is-here/
    You managed to pull me out of my summer funk by posting this. I can’t wait for the weather to change now. By the way, that’s easily the best challenge banner I’ve ever seen…nice job!

    I’ve been wanting to read Shadow of the Wind for a long time. You have to tell me how it is. I have it on the wishlist right now. Is that a McKean cover on that one? There’s also another Jonathan Carroll book that I really want to read called Voice of Our Shadow that looks like it’s out of print here 🙁 Nymeth reviewed it awhile back and it sounded awesome. I haven’t read anything of his yet.

    Anyway, can’t wait to get started!

  9. Hi! I will be doing the challenge again, but haven’t got my list together yet. But I can assure you that I will be doing Peril the First, and that “The Graveyard Book” will feature. Sadly it doesn’t come out here until late in September, I think, but a month will do me!

    Must look back at last year’s reviews to see if I can find some inspiration for the other three books…

  12. Thanks for the email, great to see the Challenge back again. Like others I’ve been putting aside some titles throughout the year ready for October (which is when I will read, once I have finished with my Booker Prize reading). To choose from I have –

    Out – Natsuo Kirino
    The Night Country – Stewart O’Nan
    Season of the Witch – Natasha Mostert
    Heartsick – Chelsea Cain
    The End of Mr Y – Scarlett Thomas

  13. Definitely count me in. I will put up apost later and have a think about what I will read. Looking forward to it 🙂

  16. I don’t have my list up yet either, but I will definitely be joining! I’m so excited!

  19. I’m in, I’m going to aim for Peril the First. I’ve created my pool, it’s:
    Out – Kirino
    The Dante Club – Pearl
    The End of Mr Y -Thomas
    A Carnivores Inquiry – Murray
    The Ghost-Feeler – Wharton
    Varjak Paw – Said
    Skin and other Stories – Dahl
    The Little Black Book of Stories – Byatt
    Selected Tales – Poe

    I don’t tend to read this genre so I was shocked to find so many potentials on my tbr pile.

  20. Oh, I’ve been thinking about this one for a while, too! It’a already time…how fast has this year gone? I keep setting books aside thinking they would be perfect for this challenge…time to go through and decide what to read! 🙂

  21. I think I speak for many of us when I say that it feels a bit like Christmas morning whenever you announce a challenge 😀 Here is my list of possibilities.

  22. Nymeth: Awww, thank you! I cannot believe how close to Christmas morning it is getting to be! Where has the time gone? It is almost September!!!

    Danielle: So glad you’re joining in. I have no idea where time goes, but it is going too fast.

    Katrina: Thanks for signing up. I’m going to have to do some looking up of books from your pool as there are a few I haven’t heard of.

    SFP: Glad to see you participating. And cool that you are bringing the Kindle into the challenge arena.

    Chris, Andi: I look forward to seeing the books in your pool.

    Paula: I’ve got it, thanks again for signing up.

    Bart: Great to have you on board, thanks.

    Rhinoa: Can’t wait to see your pool.

    Jem: I hope you enjoy Season of the Witch, I read it and reviewed it awhile back and really liked it. Had a few email conversations with the author and she is very nice.

    Guatami: Yes indeed! Let me know when your pool is up.

    Quixotic: As I sat here putting this together last night while helping my daughter pick her fantasy football team I couldn’t believe that a year had flown by so fast.

    Kicking K: I wish Graveyard came out a bit sooner myself, but it will be sweet to finally be able to get into it. And then we’ll have to wait forever for another Neil Gaiman book! Ugh!

    Chris (Stuff as Dreams): Not sure who did the cover for that Subterranean Press edition but I don’t believe it is McKean. You’ll love Jonathan Carrol, he is an amazing writer. And thanks, I had alot of fun thinking about the banner this year. One of my favorite scenes in Nightmare Before Christmas is when he is sitting in his jammies reading books about Christmas. Pulling out that figure and using it as part of the banner seemed to be a natural choice for this year.

  23. I’m in for Challenge the 1st.
    I’ll have to go home and finalize a pile of books tho!
    I know one book will be Lord of the Razor by Joe. R. Lansdale
    will post the others tonight. ^_^

  24. Count me in! I’ll be posting my pool tonight. I see you have Ghost Writer in yours. It is a good one. Psychologically creepy and good for folks like me who have nightmares from full-blown Stephen King-like horror.

  25. OK my list is up of possible choices here and I am going for Peril the Second as I am not sure where I am going to be work wise for the next couple of months. Hopefully I will read more than 2.

  27. What great timing, I’ve just started Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill (hope you don’t mind the early start) and I’m so in the mood for scary novels at the moment. I’m going to choose Peril the First and only include the Joe Hill if I start to lag. Susan Hill’s Mist in the Mirror goes straight on my list, as does Sharp Teeth but apart from that I’m not sure what I’ll read yet…

  29. this is a very cool idea. and thanks to you i now know about the graveyard book. but it doesnt come out here until sept 3oth.
    i discovered you thru colleen gleasons website btw.

  30. Pingback: RIP III « Stephanie’s Written Word

  32. YAY, Carl! I have temporarily dropped out of blogging due to various life crises, but am definitely on board with this challenge. I feel a renewed sense of literary purpose! Now, it’s a question of just what do I choose to read for the Peril the Second challenge? I will scour all the pools for some ideas. (Shadow of the Wind is amazing, by the way…)

  33. LK: Hope all is getting better now, it is certainly understandable to eschew blogging for life issues. I’m so glad you’re joining in, thank you so much, I sincerely feel quite honored.

    Stephanie: You’re welcome, love to do it. I just saw the Pushing Daisies commercial the other day. What a perfect time to bring it back, I cannot wait. Love that show!

    Lori: I’m glad you did! I don’t think Graveyard Book is due over here until the 30th either, but I’m hoping for an early release.

    Alessandra: I’ve got your list posted, thank you so much for joining in!

    Jodie: That is great, don’t mind the early start at all!

    Cath: Got you added in!

    Rhinoa: Ugh, work! Always gets in the way of reading! Glad you’re in.

    Stefanie: I think I added that to my wishlist during last year’s challenge and I really want to get to it for this year’s.

    SG Taylor: I look forward to seeing your pool!

  37. Pingback: R.I.P. 3 Challenge « Becky’s Challenges

  38. I love the RIP challenge! I’m definitely in again this year. I’m going to commit to two books and will read more if possible. I’m seriously leaning towards “Death Is a Lonely Business” by Ray Bradbury and “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” by Shirley Jackson. I will post my selections to my blog this evening.

  39. Of course, I’m in on this one. Not sure yet about my choices, but will be checking out those of other participants for some good possibilities!

  40. Pingback: RIP III Challenge | Literary Escapism

  44. I would love to join this challenge this year. Promised myself I would participate in the next one and then promptly forgot about it! Oops!
    I shall figure out my books this week(end). Thanks!

  46. I’m in, of course, I have yet to miss one of your challenges even if I don’t read all that much… List is forth-coming!

  49. This is my favorite reading challenge and it’s my second time to join 🙂 Here’s the link to my pool of books. I’m choosing Peril the First!

  50. Yay, yay, yay! I’ll be Periling the First:
    Daniel Hecht’s Land of Echoes and Bones of the Barbary Coast, Mary Hooper’s Newes from the Dead, and Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead: Book One. I posted it on my blog here!

  51. I will definitely be participating whole-heartedly! My post and list will be up later tonight, I have to develop my pool! I will be periling the first over and over. 🙂 I wish I could quit my job for the next two months and just read spooky stories all day long.

  52. Petunia: Yay! Glad to have you aboard. I’ll check out your ‘pool’…hope the water is warm.

    Chris: great, got you added!

    Kailana: How odd that seems, since you used to be the one who was the hands down winner in the number of books read! I look forward to your list. I see you’ve purchases a few new books! 🙂

    J.S. Peyton: So glad you’re in. For me the hard part is choosing out of such a wide range of choices!!!

    Raidergirl3: I’m glad you are in again! It is a great genre, isn’t it.

    Cat: So glad you remembered and are joining in. Let me know when your list is up.

    Laura: You make me smile! I love seeing people take a chance. So glad you’re doing it with this challenge.

    Jackie: Welcome! Love seeing first timers. I hope you enjoy the next two months.

    JenClair: Great! thanks! I look forward to your pool.

    Ex Libris: I just read We Have Always Lived in the Castle..have been saving the review for R.I.P. and really enjoyed it. Thanks for joining in.

    Becky: I’ve got you added!

    Deslily: I’m so psyched that you are joining knowing this is not your normal reading cup of tea. I am so glad you are discovering stuff that you like.

  53. Carl,
    I think the link to my pool above is not working – seems like it’s linked to Alessandra’s pool – would you mind fixing that? Thanks!

  55. Daphne: I wish I could as well. Then I’d really be a wild and involved host, plus get a lot of reading done!!!

    Holley: Awesome, thanks for joining in. I got your link put up.

    Lightheaded: Thank you so much, I am so glad you’re back!

  56. Stephanie: Oops!!! I’ll fix it!

    Stephanie: Sorry its been a bad day! I hope things get better quickly. Glad you’re in.

  57. I’m totally going to do it. And dog-gone-it I’m going to succeed this time! I’ll have my list up by the end of the week Carl. Thanks for doing this again this year! I look forward to it as a traditional autumn rite now!

  59. Andi: Thanks, I’ll get it posted!

    Heather: Glad you’re in, but don’t stress about the whole ‘succeeding’ thing, it is all about the fun! 🙂 I too look at this as a right of autumn! Couldn’t imagine not doing this as part of the transition from summer to fall.

  61. I’m joining again, have to figure which one I want to do & my books, but I am in for sure! I had a lot of fun last year & found some new authors!

  63. Carol: Great, glad you are joining us. Very cool!

    Ginny: Look forward to your list, I always end up with a ton of books on my wishlist during these challenges.

    Lisa: great pool! So glad you’re in again.

  68. I would certainly like to participate in this challenge. A few books I would like to try to get to are A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb, We have Always lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins and Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready. Maybe this will be the year I get to Ann Radcliffe-I have been saving The Mysteries of Udolpho for the fall for the last 5 years and never get to it! This may also be a good opportunity to reread horror writers I read as a teenager to see if they still hold the same appeal for me like Poe, V.C. Andrews (the old stuff she wrote herself) or Anne Rice. I also noticed that there are a bunch of Harlequin Blaze books that have witches and ghosts in them so I may try to find a few of those.

  71. Pingback: Let ‘er RIP! « So Many Books

  72. Okay, i’ve scavenged thru my shelves and have chosen a pool of books to read from for Challenge the First. Now jumping gleefully into the deep end with:

    God of the Razor – Joe R. Lansdale
    Low Red Moon – Caitlin Kiernan
    Alabaster – Caitlin Kiernan
    Hell House – Richard Matheson
    Grave’s End: A True Ghost Story – Elaine Mercado
    Angel of Darkness – Charles DeLint
    The Journal of Professor Abraham Van Helsing – Allan C. Kupfer
    Dark Harvest – Norman Partridge
    Doctor Who: Forever Autumn – Mark Morris
    Supernatural: Nevermore – Keith DeCandido
    Not Flesh Nor Feathers – Cherie Priest

    and hopefully The Graveyard Book by Gaiman if i get my car back by the time it’s released “sigh”. This is my pool and i’ll happily welcome anyone in who wants to splash around ^_^!
    Hopefully i’ll get more than four of these read. Ummm… for those of us who don’t have blogs and are blog ignorant, where/how should we post our reviews?

  74. I am definitely doing this! But I’ve been forced to ask my LJ readers for suggestions – I am a HUGE horror fan so have read a ton of it, and am blanking on something I haven’t read, and on things that aren’t pure horror (like gothic, or mystery)! I’m hoping they will suggest things from some of the other subgenres. Once I have my four (Oh yeah – I plan on doing Peril the First), I will comment again!

  76. Holy smokes, Carl – people do come out for the big shindig!
    I am going to have to go with one book – can’t deal with the pressure of more commitment than that…
    I think the Snake Agent by Liz Williams would fit a couple of the categories, right? That would pull me out of my comfort zone a little bit, too.
    Thanks for being such a grand organizer.

  78. Ex Libris: Got it, thanks!

    Quigrainne: Yes they do, it is wonderful and makes me happy. I want people to own this challenge, to feel it is theirs, and I am happy to see it so embraced. Snake Agent will be a perfect read for the challenge. Plenty of horror elements.

    Daphne: Thank you so much for your first foray into challenges, I’m thrilled.

    Jenn: I look forward to your reader’s suggestions. Don’t forget about the R.I.P.ing Yarns review site, all several hundred of last year’s reviews are up there which is another place to get suggestions.

    Framed: Glad you’re not missing it, thanks so much. I’ve got you posted.

    SG Taylor: Great pool to splash around in, you’ll definitely need to come around and post your thoughts on whatever you read!

    Melanie, Melissa, Bellezza: Thank you all for joining in. I’ve got your pools posted. Yay!!!

    Sam: I like your potential choices. I say I’m going to read Mystery of Udolpho every year as well and still have not. You’re not alone!

    Ginny, Jennyellen: Thank you both for joining in and for your enthusiastic day one postings of your pools.

  80. Pingback: A Life In Books » Blog Archive » A Spooktacular Challenge

  82. I know! It’s right weird that I am hardly reading… I mean, most people would be happy with my reading numbers, but it is such a decrease for me it seems weird! Maybe this challenge will be a great one and I will read a lot… We will see! And, my Amazon order shipped. YAY!

  83. Kailana: In the end its more important that you are enjoying what you are reading anyway. I’m just glad to see you back to regular blogging! You’re missed during your breaks. Congrats on getting out of Amazon relatively cheaply. I’m excited for you.

    Lesley: Yes! Thanks for joining in, I’ve posted your list.

    Traci: You all know how to make a guy get a big head, thank you so much. So glad you’re in!

  84. here is my post: http://susanflynn.blogspot.com/2008/08/its-finally-here-rip3.html
    I love this challenge! and your covers are fantastic, and i had to add The Graveyard Book because I’d forgotten it was going to be out before Hallowe’en (up here though, I’m not sure), and I didn’t know Jonathan Carroll had a new one coming out, and it looks great. So many good books to read! So many good ghost stories, horror novels, etc!!

  85. Carl, me again, the following links went to the wrong blogs for me, so you might want to double-check: lightheaded, Andi, Framed, and Traci.

    And, my list is up on my blog!

    I have mostly enjoyed everything I have read this year. It’s great!

  87. This looks like a great challenge – I’m definitely in and will post my list soon! So many great ideas in this thread that I don’t know how I’ll narrow my list down!

  88. hooray! i’m in, naturally.

    after all the cool things you’ve said about lovecraft and poe, i’m going to be reading some of their stuff for RIP. aside from that there’ll also be some zombie stuff, maybe (probably) some gothic stuff and the new gaiman, of course!

  89. OK, I’m in. I’ve been doing that with all my challenges this year, drawing from a pool of books or giving myself the option to change books from my original list. It makes things much less guilt-inducing.
    BTW, I love that cover for The Shadow of the Wind!

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  93. Les: You’re welcome, thank you for participating again. 🙂

    Peta: So glad you’re joining in, really like your pool of books.

    Tanabata: I like the idea as well, glad blog discussion recently helped me rethink the list idea.

    JP: Woo-hoo! Look forward to having you in here.

    Kailana: Thanks for the heads up, I changed those and just finished double checking them all. Should be okay now. Hopefully…

    Susan: Thank you so much for joining in! I don’t know where I was the other day where I came across mention of Jonathan Carroll, but it led to a trip to his site and the discovery of the forthcoming book.

  94. Carl! I’m so glad you are doing this again. I’ve taken a long blog break but was thinking about this challenge and had decided to come back with Frankenstein if you were running it again. I’ll do a post shortly but please consider me signed up. 🙂

  95. While I’m sitting here in disbelief that it’s actually time for this already (what happened to summer????), sign me up.

  96. Pingback: RIP’ing? Already? « Sassymonkey Reads
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  99. I will walk the path of Peril the first and will use the pool method. I like not being locked in so much so I can let my whim reading take over.

    1. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
    2. 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill
    3. The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman ( Zombie comic series )
    4. Hellboy Vol. 2 Library Edition by Mike Mignola
    5. Absolute Sandman Vol. 1 by Neil Gaiman
    6. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
    7. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
    8. The Land of Laughs by Jonathan Carroll
    9. The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane by Robert E. Howard
    10. Cthulhu The Mythos and Kindred Horrors by Robert E. Howard
    11. I’m sure I’m forgetting something… 🙂

  102. Valiant, Holly Black
    Last Watch, Sergei Lukyanenko
    Heart-Shaped Box, Joe Hill
    The Book of Lost Things, John Connolly
    Dracula, Bram Stoker

    So that makes 6 books in my pool. I added Dracula as a safety measure in case I don’t get a copy of Last Watch in time (it will be released in October). Plus, I haven’t read Dracula in one sitting before. So if I do choose it, that’ll be my challenge. To read it in one sitting. The rest are dark fantasy stuff that I’ve been planning to read, so now would be as good a time to start as any other.

    http://marineko.blogspot.com/2008/08/something-riping-this-way-comes-iii.html

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  108. This will be my first challenge hee, i usually do them at A Novel Challenge in yahoo groups. Don’t know what I am reading, but I am leavign on vacation Thurs will be back 9-13, have to do it then.

    I have a lot of trouble reading your site as I am almost blind and white letters on black i find difficult

  109. I linked my post to my name in this comment. I would love to play R.I.P. Reminds of playing Ghost in the Graveyard as a kid! The suspense and anticipation…

    Thanks, Carl.

  116. Lord, I cannot keep up! The response is wonderful, thank you all!

    Suey: Glad you aren’t getting left out!

    Kelly: Welcome, love having first timers. I hope you have a ball.

    Ken: Awesome. Everyone should check out Ken’s site, he put up some great spooky quotes and a wonderful You Tube video that incorporates a great song with Nightmare Before Christmas footage.

    Bookworm: You’re counted!

    Carrie: Brave woman! 😉

    Veronica: Me too, thanks!

    Rachael: You’ve certainly nailed the spirit of the thing, welcome in!

    Lindy: I’m glad you are joining us. I’m sorry about the colors. I am pretty sold on the black for my site. Perhaps you could copy and past the words on to a Word document and increase the font size? Its a pain, I know.

    Bobbi: Glad to have you.

    Jessica: I thought about adding the Short Story Peril. I still plan on doing it. I just didn’t want to muddy the waters too much this year. Trying to simply the whole thing.

    Bookchronicle: You’re counted as well, welcome!

    Pardon: you’re pardoned, and welcome!

    Marineko: I really should read the Watch books. I wonder when the third film is coming out.

    Kristina: I’m glad you think so, I think it will be fun too.

    Moo: the one book option is nice, I’m glad I decided to incorporate it last year and I plan on keeping it. I like the ‘no pressure’ option.

    Jeff: Nice book pool! I love a lot of those books myself.

    Heather: So glad to have you.

    Heather T: You as well!

    Sassymonkey: Can’t wait to see your potential choices.

  118. I’m joining in, didn’t get to last year so, have no idea what I’ll read yet, will post when I figure it out.

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  120. Carl, Thanks for the invitation to play again with the challenge! I’m in, and I’ve got some ideas for what I’m going to read. First I’ll finish what I wanted to read last year, Neil Gaiman and Jonathan Carroll.

  122. Well, this is a bit outside of my realm (unless I try to find books that within the genres and are also about athletics–any suggestions?), but I will happily participate in Peril the First and keep an eye on everyone’s interactions. The only book I know for sure I’ll read is The Island of Dr. Moreau. Beyond that, I look forward to reading others’ reviews.

    Thank you, Carl.

  123. Jamie: So glad you are joining in. There have to be sports mysteries out there for sure, doesn’t there?

    Corinne: Congrats on being brave, and welcome in!

    A Geek Girl: I am glad you are joining us. Great books that are well worth finishing!

    Cafeshree: I look forward to seeing what you might read.

    Dana: Welcome aboard! 🙂

  126. What a great challenge, Carl! I was thrilled to see my ghost story THE HARROWING on some people’s lists and wanted to let you know that I’d be happy to donate some copies of the book for your giveaways, if you’d like.

    And I am so in for Peril the First!

    Alex

    http://alexandrasokoloff.com

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  129. Do re-reads count? There are a few I love in autumn.

    Recommended reading for challenge participants:
    Fire and Hemlock- Diana Wynne Jones
    The Haunting of Hill House- Shirley Jackson
    Tam Lin- Pamela Dean
    The Westing Game- Ellen Raskin

    And mystery authors I’ve been meaning to catch up on:
    Aaron Elkins
    Laurie R. King
    Patricia Cornwell
    Kathy Reichs

  131. Oh man, sometimes it doesn’t pay to go on vacation…you get behind on important announcements like this! Well, you know Annie and I are both in, and maybe Rich, too. Anyway, here’s my pool. Annie will be back with hers shortly.

    Thanks, Carl! You sure do bring great fun to an awful lot of people, you know!

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  135. Ok! Put me down. My selections are up and here!

    Also, I really hope you enjoy Shadow of the Wind. I read a couple of years back and I loved it. In fact, you may have inspired me to read it again.

  136. Hi, I came here via Danielle’s blog.

    Can I join the challenge even if I don’t intend to do in-depth reviews of the books I’ll read?

  138. Wow, it’s that time of year again? I think I’ll have to partake of the peril the third this year. Gotta think about my reading material.

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  141. With icons like these, how could I resist! I’m going with Peril the Second, my books are:

    The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
    The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

  142. Better late than never, so count me in for Peril the First! I’ll put up a book pool list soon. You did a great job on the banner – it’s wonderful! Thanks for hosting this again. 😀

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  147. Oooh, I found my way to your site by way of Fond of Snape, and I’m totally stoked for this! When I’m at the bookstore tomorrow, I’m going to figure out which books I’m going to read. I’ll be back to post them later.

    Awesome concept, btw! I love an excuse to read! 😉

  149. Christina: Great, I’ve got your pool posted, thanks for joining in!

    Linds: Great, I look forward to your pool. Thanks for the kind words.

    Melanie: I know, it really is starting to ‘feel’ like it is time for this kind of reading.

    Quenby: Indeed, thanks for taking part!

  151. You’ve inspired me to eventually start my book blog so I can post about this challenge! I will post a link once I’ve set it up but in the meantime I have opted for Peril the first and my books are The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman; The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield; Out, Nastuo Kirino and The Little Black Book of Stories, A.S. Byatt. I’m so excited, thanks Carl!

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  170. Count me in. I read the genres anyway, be good to count it for something fun. I believe I will loosely pool authors and go from there….
    Dan Simmons, John Saul, Jeff Long, Patricia Briggs, Kat Richardson, Charlaine Harris, Robert R McCammon, F Paul Wilson, Jeaniene Frost, Mario Acevedo…a few others out there…leave myself open for possibilities.

  171. I’m in, and my post is up <a href=”http://readingadventures.blogspot.com/2008/08/rip-iii-challenge.html”

  174. A friend sent me this, and I’m definitely in! I love these kind of books anyway, so it’s not exactly a hardship! I choose Peril the First. I perused other people’s lists to see what was popular, and took 2 suggestions there (books I own anyway), plus 2 of my own.
    My choices
    “The Terror” Dan Simmons
    “Heart-Shaped Box” Joe Hill
    “The Between” Tananarive Due
    “Night Prayers” P.D. Cacek
    I’m starting with “The Terror” tomorrow!

  177. I found your challenge by happy accident a few days ago. I’m looking forward to imbibing a few creepy tales over the next few weeks now, thanks to you!
    I’ll be doing Peril the second. My choices are The Ruins (scott smith), & The Ghost Writer (john harwood).

  178. This is my favorite time of the year…I love Halloween! I am excited to join this challenge. I don’t think I have ever read a scary book, unless, you consider “Coraline” by Neil Gaiman scary?! With this in mind, I will take the easy route and choose Peril the Third. I will post on my blog http://www.busymom2girls.blogspot.com. Thaks for hosting!
    Gina

  186. Hi Carl,

    Oops, a couple goofs on my part. I originally linked the logos directly, without thinking of your bandwidth, but I’ve remedied that now. As well, I asked to do Peril the 2nd, but upon reconsideration would prefer the 3rd. Hope I haven’t caused too much grief, and that I can still play along!
    John

  188. No problem John, I don’t think there were any problems. You are certainly welcome to play along and I’m thrilled to have you, as I am everyone else. My internet has been intermittently going out, so I’ll get everyone’s Pool added to the list as soon as possible.

  190. Count me in. This will be my first experience with the RIP challenge. I did participate in the Once Upon a Time Challenge back in the spring and really enjoyed it.

  191. I hope I am not too late. I am going to attempt Peril the Second. I am not 100% sure what books I am going to read, but I will blog about them on my site.

  193. Cecilia: Definitely not too late! Glad you’re in.

    Lisa: Thanks, I am so glad you are joining us!

  194. Wow, I almost missed out this time around! The Second Peril sounds perfect for me. I’ll be posting my list of possible reads later today. Thanks so much, Carl, for hosting this.

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  199. Waaaaaaaa =( Where do I sign up, I do not seem to find the link.
    Madeleine

    I am on my second scary read:
    SNAKES AND EARRINGS by Hitomi Kanehara
    THE DEVIL OF NANKIN by Mo Hayder
    and I also have THE GHOST WRITER by John Harwood yet to be read

  201. Please count me in, though a little late to the game! I had trouble coming up with a list. I’m shooting for Peril the First. Please let me know if I’m signing up in the wrong place – I’m a little confused. Thanks!

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  218. Ooooh, this sounds like fun!!

    I’d definitely participate into Peril the Second! Now I only have to try to decide what books to choose…

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  224. So glad I found this challenge. I’ve been hesitant to join one for long enough! Yours will launch me into a future of challenges, I hope.

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  227. Sounds like a lot of fun! I don’t know how many books I’ll get to so ‘Peril the Third’ is right up my alley. Looking forward to seeing what everyone is reading and I love the button!

  229. OK! This will be my first reader challenge and I can’t wait! I love to read, but almost never read scary things (because I am a great big chicken); so a CHALLENGE indeed it will be!

    I put a list up on my blog, but I need to investigate the bookstore before I get a complete list since I’m not familiar with the scary genres…

    so exciting…
    http://iwasthinking-huskerbeck.blogspot.com

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  233. I saw this challenge last year and didn’t get to participate but this year I’m jumping in and choosing Peril the First. My book pool consists of:
    Coraline
    The Ghost Writer
    Heart-Shaped Box
    The Road
    Gothic Tales
    Grange House
    Dracula

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  237. I am going to go with Peril the Third, that way I can definitely finish it, have a sene of accomplishment you know. I am going to read “The Turn of the Screw.” Then I will try to read some more, but this way I can complete a challenge for once. Thanks so much for all the fun.

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  244. I’m giving it another go this year (and as usual, I’m late signing up). I never finished in years past so I’m happy to see the one book category. I’ll sign up for Peril the Third and post my puddle of books on my blog. Thanks, Carl!

  245. I’m new at this reading challenge thing, but not to reading scary, creepy stories. I will join Peril the Second since I’m signing up late, and will have my choices on my blog with in 24 hours of this posting. Thank you!

  246. Pingback: Beyond Books » RIP III - Scaring my way through my first challenge!
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  258. A great one just showed up in my TBReviewed pile:
    The American Resting Place- Marilyn Yalom. A history of graveyards! How RIP-perfect! It’s an ARC so might not hit stores til the end of the month, but I’ll be reviewing on my site!
    – Elizabeth
    elizabethwillse.wordpress.com

  260. am I too late to join??? I have been amassing books and trying desperately to get through the book I am reading now to get started on my spooky books.

    I will post about this challenge in a few days on my much neglected blog

  261. Of course you aren’t too late, Jenn! I had noticed your blog had been left on its own for awhile now! I look forward to your list!

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  264. I am totally late to the reading party, but it looks like some others are joining late as well. I am currently reading a great book (some would even argue that it is the first mystery novel) called Caleb Williams.

    Thanks for putting this challenge together again this year. I have read some of the reviews that people are putting up and there are a lot of great books to add to my reading list.

    Happy Reading!
    Amanda

  265. Pingback: The Sunday Salon September 21, 2008 « Blacklin’s Reading Room Reviews & More
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  272. Hi, I have accepted the challenges with three perils, Northanger Abbey, Pemberley Shades and The Mysteries of Udolpho. I will also be hosting a novel event in October, ‘Go Gothic with Northanger Abbey’ and we will be having group reads of Northanger Abbey and The Mysteries of Udolpho. Thanks for the inspiration and for hosting R.I.P. III.

    Cheers, Laurel Ann, Austenprose

    http://austenprose.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/the-austen-tattler-news-and-gossip-on-the-blogosphere-3/

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  274. I love this idea! I just heard of it now, I wish I knew sooner. *le sigh* I will try to participate, unfortunately I am in the midst of moving, so more than one or two books might be a bit cumbersome for a month’s time.

    Slight issue; I do have a “blog,” but it’s part of an actual diary website, and is set to members only (due to some issues with a particular person). I’d love for people to be able to drop by but, I don’t think it’d be possible… =/

    Also, would you mind terribly if I edited one of those images myself? I could edit it to be more of a sidebar style then, rather than horizontal… =)

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  277. Pingback: RIP III: Spooky Reading « Lisa’s Words at Play

  286. Hey, it was freakin’ late at night/early in the morning. You’re lucky I didn’t use all different letters! LOL! It is fixed…I hope… I’m still pretty tired. 😉

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  290. No reason to be meek, Fate, so glad to have you! There is still plenty of R.I.P. reading time left in the month! 🙂

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  297. I’m joining a little late, but catching up the week of Halloween with three books:

    The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent
    The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
    I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

    http://seekandread.blogspot.com/

    Thanks for hosting this challenge!

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  301. Gotta thank you for the challenge. I’ve read Stephen King for the first time – Gunslinger – and have moved on to D.T. II. Wow, supercool.

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  306. Thanks for hosting this challenge! Had a lot of fun reading some scary books this time of year. Didn’t think I was going to finish, as Duma Key was to be my fourth book – still have about 150 pages left – but DD brought me a mystery last night to read to help with her school project which, of course, was due today! So I got my fourth book in! See you next year!

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  313. I’ve completed the challenge before the end date. Phew… that was so much fun! 😀

    I hope to participate in the next one. Thanks for this, Carl V!

  314. I’m giving away my ARC copy of Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland…If anyone’s interested, leave a comment at emmegailsbookshelf.wordpress.com!

    Thanks for a fun challenge! =)

  317. I stumbled onto the Challenge via the wonderful Lisa Snellings interview, but am glad to see that I’m not too late to join in! I guess that, at least in this situation, technological wonkiness is my friend.

    I just happen to have gotten “The Graveyard Book” and Joe Hill’s “Locke and Key” while I was on a business trip during the week, and have today to glut myself on both, so I’ll choose Peril the Second, with the subgenre of “the past always reaches out for you.” http://ulffriend.livejournal.com/56307.html

  319. I just discovered this challenge, quite late I know, but when will the next one be? I looks very interesting since I love Charlaine Harris and adore vampires I’m sure I’ll enjoy this challenge!
    Will there be one for 2009? like for the whole year?! *wishful*

  320. Actually the 4th annual R.I.P. Challenge will begin in late August, 2009 and will run through Oct. 31st 2009. Hope you join us!

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