All posts by Carl V. Anderson

book news

Chilling Choices, R.I.P.ing Reads

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(Photo Credit: Mr Skyce, used by Creative Commons License)

Here we are, a mere week into this year’s R.eaders I.mbing P.eril Challenge and suspenseful, mysterious, creepy, and scary books, television shows and films are being imbibed like there is no tomorrow.

On this 1 week anniversary of the start of R.I.P. VI I decided I wanted to post a reading pool of my own, tell you about a couple of other R.I.P.-related group reads that are going on around the ‘net that you may want to get involved with, and wanted to make a quick public service announcement.

Let’s get the PSA out of the way first:

Please remember when you do book reviews for the R.I.P. Challenge to put a link up on the R.I.P. VI Book Review Site, located here. You can also conveniently find a banner linking to it there on the right in my sidebar. As I sit here typing this there are 47 book reviews and Peril on the Screen reviews posted already.

We want to read about what you liked, what you didn’t like, and everything in between. Please give the other participants a chance to read your thoughts by including your link over there.

And now on to other Book Related News:

Continue reading Chilling Choices, R.I.P.ing Reads →

Book Reviews, Fantasy, Gothic/Horror

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

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“This is not a book for children.”
~Patrick Rothfuss

“This might possibly be the most WTF?!?! book I have ever read.”
~Me

Gather round children and let me tell you a story.

This past Saturday evening, on what would become a dark and stormy night, six (ostensibly) grown men (five present in person and one via the internet) gathered together for the time honored tradition of drafting players for Fantasy Football. After pizza was devoured, beer (and soda pop) was drunk, and decisions were made and lamented, what do you suppose these red-blooded He-men did to occupy their evening?

That’s right, they took turns reading a children’s picture book. Or at the very least something that looked suspiciously like a children’s picture book.

Looks can be deceiving.

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

Book Reviews, Fantasy

The Way of Kings Group Read, Part 5–The Conclusion

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“I must know something true about you. Tell me. The stronger the truth, the more hidden it is, the more powerful the bond. Tell me. Tell me. What are you?”

“Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination. Speak again the ancient oaths and return to men the Shards they once bore…The Knights Radiant must stand again.”



And so an epic journey comes to an end. When The Way of Kings was released and I saw how beautiful the book was, with its Michael Whelan cover and its interior illustrations, I still scoffed. The book was enormous, it was book one of an ongoing series, and there was no way that I would be reading it.

Never say never…

If all my friends jumped off a bridge, would I do it? Possibly so. I am certainly glad I took this leap of faith.

The Way of Kings is a marvelous achievement, worthy of whatever string of pretty words critics and fans alike might choose to laud upon it. The book is at once simple and infinitesimally complex. Brandon Sanderson juggles a manageable set of characters and plots and weaves them together so subtly that you don’t realize you are being ensnared in an elaborate web of masterful storytelling until it is too late–you are caught.

This post marks the final portion of The Way of Kings group read. Part 5 is a slight section but so full of substance. Suey handled this week’s questions.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 5 times (now):

Henceforth there be SPOILERS

Continue reading The Way of Kings Group Read, Part 5–The Conclusion →

Challenges

R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VI

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(Image credit: Flight, by Melissa Nucera)

Summer 2011: record-breaking heat waves, drought, flooding, earthquakes, tornadoes–we have had it all. For most of us who have experienced it, the turning of the calendar to reveal a September 1st date is not going to feel all that different. Summer has not yet relinquished her hold. And she has a right to hold on. After all, Autumn does not begin for another three weeks, and even then Summer may greedily hunger for a little more time. Let us pray otherwise.

Regardless of what my thermometer tells me, my heart tells me that autumn is here and that it is once again time to revel in things ghostly and ghastly, in stories of things that go bump in the night. It is time to trail our favorite detectives as they relentlessly chase down their prey, to go down that dark path into the woods, to follow flights of fantasy and fairy tale that have a darker heart than their spring time brethren. To confront gothic, creepy, horror stories in all their chilling delight.

Every September 1st through October 31st for the last 5 years I have hosted the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril Challenge, affectionately known as the R.I.P. Challenge. I began this reader event, I blinked, and now I am hosting this for the 6th time. Wow, that is so hard to believe.

The purpose of the R.I.P. Challenge is to enjoy books that could be classified as:

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

The emphasis is never on the word challenge, instead it is about coming together as a community and embracing the autumnal mood, whether the weather is cooperative where you live or not.

Continue reading R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VI →

book news

Upcoming Group Read Schedule (A R.I.P. VI teaser)

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(Photo Credit: A Gift From Old Bailey, Carl V. Anderson)

The official announcement for the 6th Annual R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril (R.I.P.) Challenge is nearly upon us. August has passed by like a whirlwind and it has been aided, I am convinced, by good reading and good viewing and good discussion around the blogging community.

In order to offer you a teaser and to remind you to check back for Wednesday’s R.I.P. VI Challenge announcement, I thought I would take a moment to tell you about 3 group reads that will be taking place over the course of the next two months. Those participating would love it if you would join in the reading or at the very least join in the discussion if you have already read the books in question. There is no obligation to join, so please don’t feel any pressure. I just wanted to be sure that you were aware of the opportunity so that you could plan ahead should you desire to join us.

Continue reading Upcoming Group Read Schedule (A R.I.P. VI teaser) →