(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 →

(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) →

(Photo Credit: Ken Colwell)

Last week I posted about the opportunity for readers to vote for their Top 10 Science Fiction or Fantasy novels/series in NPR’s Annual Summer Reader’s Poll. I shared my own opinions on the foibles inherent in any such list and we had a lively discussion.

The final results are now in which you can see listed in order after the jump.

One of the questions many readers had was about the use of the “panel of experts” and the lack of clear description of what their involvement in the process amounted to. Today’s results post offers a brief explanation:

A quick word about what’s here, and what’s not: Our panel of experts reviewed hundreds of the most popular nominations and tossed out those that didn’t fit the survey’s criteria (after — we assure you — much passionate, thoughtful, gleefully nerdy discussion). You’ll notice there are no young adult or horror books on this list, but sit tight, dear reader, we’re saving those genres for summers yet to come.

Today’s NPR post also links to a fan reaction that I think you might find interesting, whether you agree or disagree.

Speaking of which, lets get to that list and continue last week’s spirited discussion now that we know the results. Keep in mind the fact that was pointed out last week that this is a list of readers’ Favorites, not a list of what readers considered the Best that SF/F has to offer.

Continue reading And the NPR Science Fiction/Fantasy Winners Are… →

“Anything important is never left to the vote of the people.”

~Will Rogers

(Image created by Chris Silas Neal)

Earlier this 2011 summer season the good folks at NPR (National Public Radio) decided to put a call out to readers to vote for their favorite science fiction and fantasy for the annual summer readers’ poll. Over 5000 people responded on the website and thousands more over Facebook. The poll resulted in a very long list of finalists which were whittled down to the Top 100 by an “expert panel”.

NPR is now asking readers to cast their vote for the Top 10 SF/F novels/series out of this shortlist of 100. You have another in which to cast your votes and you can do so here.

I went and cast my votes yesterday (not an easy task) and then chose to brave the waters of the masses who have chosen to share their thoughts, many of which are hotter than the summer sun. Any list of this type is fraught with peril, put especially when you give passionate SF/F fans a forum in which to openly share their opinion.

My motivation for posting about this is not simply to tell you to go vote, it is actually to share my opinions the things that popped up in my mind as I read the comments. Feel free to jump into the fray with your agreements, disagreements, opinions and rants.

Continue reading NPR list →

(Photo Credit: Ordinary Grace)

“Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?”

~Henry Ward Beecher

By now you are well aware that one of the largest bookstore chains, Borders Books, has received its death sentence. The rumors began to surface over a week ago and any hopes for pardon were put to rest this past Friday when the remaining stores began to liquidate their merchandise. Last Wednesday evening I went to my local Borders to use the last coupon that was emailed out. It was the last hour before closing and though there were people in the store shopping, the weight of the reality of the store’s fate hung heavy in the air. As the teller rang up my purchase I wanted so badly to say “I’m sorry” but the words stuck in my throat. It was…it is…a sad day for people who love bookstores.

I understand that a love for chain bookstores is not a universal thing. There are many who hate Borders and Barnes and Noble with the same passion with which I reserve for another chain store, Wal-mart. Those feelings do not stop me from shopping there, nor do I withhold my paycheck from my wife and refuse to let her shop there. It is convenient, less expensive, and it works despite my feelings.

I hated Borders when it first opened.

Continue reading For Whom the Bell Tolls →