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I am excited to join the R.I.P. reading challenge this year, for the first time. "R.I.P." of course stands for "Readers Imbibing Peril," and it is hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings. The challenge runs from September 1st to October 31st, with two main goals, according to Carl: first, "Have fun reading (and watching)" mysteries, gothics, thrillers, supernatural stories; and second, "Share that fun with others."
I am signing up for Peril the First, to read four books that fit the R.I.P. theme. Here's a list of potential reads:
- E.F. Benson's The Collected Ghost Stories - which I started reading two years ago
- I.J. Parker's The Hell Screen - I've been wanting to get back to this series
- Elizabeth Peters' Devil May Care - since learning of Peters' death, I've been thinking of my favorites among her books
- Georgette Heyer's The Quiet Gentleman - the Heyer discussion group I belong to is reading this in September (and it's my favorite)
- Mary Stewart's The Ivy Tree, or Touch Not the Cat or Wildfire at Midnight
- Rhys Bowen's Heirs and Graces - just published
- Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House
- Baroness Orczy, Lady Molly of Scotland Yard
- Anthony Hope's Rupert of Hentzau - I need some swashbuckling adventure in my life
In addition, I may join the "Peril on the Screen," since I'm always tempted to watch Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow" around Halloween, and I'm working my way through "Ghost Whisperer" via Netflix.
September also brings the Mary Stewart Reading Week, hosted by Anbolyn at Gudrun's Tights. I've been collecting her books in anticipation, and they neatly fit the R.I.P. theme. According to the "Which Mary Stewart Novel Should You Read?" quiz on Anbolyn's site, Touch Not the Cat is the best match for me, but I've been thinking about her Merlin novels lately, the last two of which I still haven't read.
I hope to read some really great books in the next two months, and I look forward to seeing what others are reading and watching.
Welcome! It is so great to have you! Ah, and what a wonderful list of potential reads. Shirley Jackson is always so perfect, especially as the weather starts to turn and the days get shorter.
ReplyDeleteI too will be doing my annual viewing of Sleepy Hollow when it gets a little closer to Halloween, plus the Tim Burton stop animation films. They are all perfect this time of year.
Isn't it great when you can kill two birds with one stone? I will look forward to seeing what you read for R.I.P. VIII and Mary Stewart Reading Week. I can't believe it is nearly September!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list. Thanks also for reference to Mary Stewart quiz. Good fun. I am supposed to read The Ivy Tree . Will keep an eye out for it. Good luck w your challenge. Pam
ReplyDeleteYou are in for a treat with some great books on your list --enjoy.
ReplyDeleteCarl, thank you for hosting us! I've enjoyed reading posts from the past years, but it will be even more fun joining in this year.
ReplyDeleteAnbolyn, it will be Christmas before we know it :) I have such a pile of Mary Stewarts waiting, including one of the Merlin books in route.
Pam, I've been meaning to read The Ivy Tree since I read a review comparing it to Josephine Tey's Brar Farrar, which I love - but it still sit unread on the TBR shelves.
Diane, I've already thought of more books I could add to the list :)
Fun Mary Stewart quiz! I also got Touch Not The Cat...
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I missed that Mary Stewart quiz! The Ivy Tree (which I just requested from the library) was suggested for me, with Touch Not The Cat in second place.
ReplyDeleteI need to get busy on my list!
Surely we can all use some swashbuckling adventure at times! Enjoy your reading. :)
ReplyDeleteSimon, I love those kinds of quizzes, except the Jane Austen one that said the character I most resemble is Lady Catherine de Bourgh!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, those are both on my list! Reading about The Ivy Tree was what sparked my interest in reading Stewart again.
Marveloustales, thanks for stopping by! I think this challenge will be great fun - I see you're joining in too.
I had no idea that EF Benson wrote anything other than Mapp and Lucia! I hope you enjoy all your reads.
ReplyDeleteIt was really too bad about Elizabeth Peters. I must read her one day!
ReplyDeleteJoanne, apparently he wrote a host of other books. I've seen some mention of them in blog posts, but I've only come across Mapp & Lucia, besides the ghost stories.
ReplyDeleteKailana, she wrote some wonderful books! I hope you do get to try her some day.
I read The Haunting of Hill House for my RIP challenge a couple years ago. I also read her book We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Both wonderfully creepy! I hope you enjoy your first RIP!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great list of books. I meant to read some of the Benson stories last year, didn't get to them, and quite forgot to put them on this year's list. I need a longer autumn!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I read We Have Always Lived in the Castle last Halloween - with lots of lights on! I am already enjoying RIP so much!
ReplyDeleteJane, all the wonderful lists I'm seeing are making me wish for more reading time! and a bigger book budget :) Benson wrote some of the creepiest, scariest ghost stories I have ever read. I need to get back to them!
Your post (and JoAnn's at Lakeside Musing) encouraged me to take the plunge for the first time. I am looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteThomas, I'm glad you're joining us novice rippers :) I see your post is up, so I'm off to check your list.
ReplyDeleteE.F. Benson's Ghost Stories does sound inviting. I wonder if the style is still like the Mapp and Lucia stories.
ReplyDeleteI also want to read Haunting of Hill House.
I love, love, love The Ivy Tree. I tried Touch Not the Cat once, but I guess I wasn't in the right mood at the time.
Enjoy your venture into spooky reading!
Jane, the stories aren't as light as the Mapp & Lucia stories - even though a couple are set in Tilling, and one I swear in Mapp's house.
ReplyDeleteI got The Ivy Tree after I read a review that compared it to Josephine Tey's Brat Farrar, which I love. It's still sitting on the TBR piles, ready for either RIP or Mary Stewart reading week.
I hope you will enjoy your first RIP. The hardest thing is choosing what to read with so much choice. I love Shirley Jackson and the Benson ghost stories sound good.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cat, it's off to a great start! But you're right, it's tough deciding what to read next, and for the Mary Stewart read next week.
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