Saturday, September 4, 2010

RIP Challenge V

I have been checking Carl's website for the past couple of weeks to see if has posted anything about this, my most favorite challenge of the year.  I was absolutely thrilled to see the information and Mr. Linky sign-up earlier this week, and I simply cannot tell you what a terrific distraction this will be in my life.

The RIP (Readers Imbibing in Peril) Challenge is celebrating its 5th year - but this will only be my second time to join.  The challenge runs from September 1 (I am already behind....) to October 31 and offers a broad spectrum of reading choices in which to participate:
  • Mystery
  • Suspense
  • Thriller
  • Dark Fantasy
  • Gothic
  • Horror
  • Supernatural
There are also several different levels in which you can opt to participate.  While I would absolutely love to commit to the Peril the First option (read 4 books of any length in any of the appropriate categories), I am afraid that I may not achieve that goal and I need to have some success in life right now.  So, I will commit to Peril the Third (reading only one book over the next two months), but I will stretch for more.

I have actually been scouting the bookstores for possible RIP bargains throughout the year, and I do have several books on my shelves from which to choose:
  • Shutter Island by Dennis LeHane - I actually saw the movie - twice - and LOVED it.  I have had this notion of reading the book and watching the movie over the course of a weekend and then reviewing for CBs Read a Book/See a Movie challenge.  Perhaps this fall will provide that perfect opportunity.
  • In the Woods by Tana French - this was on my last year and I didn't get around to it.  I actually have her second book as well and fantasize about reading all three books back-to-back.
  • Murder on the Cliffs by Joanna Challis - I actually won this book from an author give-away and I thought it would be the perfect RIP novel.  I read Rebecca last year, which has become one of my favorites, and I am very much looking forward to this book which enlists Daphne duMaurier as the main character.
  • The Man in the Picture by Susan Hill.  I really enjoyed this author's book (and West End play) of the Woman in Black, and when I saw this lovely little novella in the bookstore I knew I had to read it for this challenge.
  • The Ghost Writer by John Harwood - I actually borrowed this book from the library during last year's challenge, but only managed to read the first two chapters.  I decided to purchase my own copy (so that I am not pressured to finish the book in a certain time frame) and hope to read it over the next two months.
  • The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe - I actually obtained a copy of this ARC at BEA 2009 and desperately wanted to read it immediately.  Unfortunately, life had other plans and I have yet to read it.  I hope to find the time this fall --- and I actually have one autographed copy of an ARC to give-away sometime during this challenge time period.
  • The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova - I can't tell you how many years this book as been languishing on my shelves.  I actually read Swan Thieves before this one.  I really, really, really want to read this prior to October 31, 2010.
  • Dracula, My Love by Syrie James.  I actually won this book from Stephanie and I am thrilled!!  I loved the author's debut novel, The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, and I expect great entertainment from this book as well.
  • Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger - This book has been on my list since the release date.  I found it today at Half Price Books for $2.00!  If I don't happen to read it this year, for sure it will be on the list for next year.
  • Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury - I will be re-reading Fahrenheit 451 with my 9th graders this fall and I absolutely adore that book.  While I am not really into science fiction (Bradbury's concentration), I do think this book sounds right up my alley.
  • We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - I actually read this book and her other classic, The Haunting of Hill House, for the RIP IV challenge  and I loved them so much I want to try to re-read one of them each year.
  • Victorian Ghost Stories:  An Oxford Anthology - I found this book about three years ago in the clearance section of the bookstore and I have never regretted the purchase.  I would love to commit to reading one short story a week during the challenge, but at the bare minimum I will read at least one.
I told you I had quite a list.  I am sure that there are other books on my shelves that qualify, but these are the ones that I have specifically earmarked for this challenge.

Now...to find those extra hours in the day to get all this reading done (and hopefully writing the reviews!)

16 comments:

  1. I just finished watching Shutter Island for the book/movie challenge. I'll have my review up early next week. I liked them both, though I thing the moive is a tiny bit better.

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  2. Both Shutter Island and The Historian look good to me. Have fun with the challenge!

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  3. Physick Book of DD was really good! I enjoyed that one immensely. Murder on the Cliffs - meh. Whichever one you pick, enjoy it and good luck with the challenge. Have a great holidy weekend.

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  4. I'm looking forward to the Shirley Jackson reads...but forgot all about Something Wicked This Way Comes and Shutter Island. I've been waiting to read Dracula My Love and I may end up reading this one first. The Historian is on my list as well...Coffee and a Book Chick has been talking about possibly hosting a read along of that one too.

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  5. You have a really great list. I really enjoyed the movie adaption of Shutter Island too, so I would love to read the book.

    The Historian is on my RIP list too.

    In the Woos is great!

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  6. I'm going to add Something Wicked This Way Comes to my list. Great list! Happy reading!

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  7. You must make it a Tana French RIP. I've read the first two and am in the middle of the audio for Faithful Place. Ghost Writer is nice and spooky and so is The Historian!

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  8. Your list is ambitious! Good luck with the challenge!

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  9. What a list!!

    Seems like reading Shutter Island would do double-duty for you .. that would be an excellent choice.

    And I'm reading "In the Woods" now and liking it very much.

    Have so much fun with whatever you manage to do!

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  10. I too signed up for Peril the Third so that I wouldn't over commit! I know I will read at least one novel. I did sign up for the short story Peril since I know I can also fit in at least one of those.

    You've got a great list! I hope you end up liking Something Wicked This Way Comes. Have fun!

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  11. Wow, Molly...fantastic list of potential reads! I picked up The Historian at the library today. Loved Shutter Island and need to pick up a copy on DVD to re-view for Peril on the Screen. My wife read the book and really enjoyed both the book and film. Thanks for joining in again this year.

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  12. WOW..that is quite a list. I hope you have as much fun as I always do with this challenge.

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  13. Every year I say I am going to read THE HISTORIAN, and every year I don't... Maybe this year will be the year? lol Happy reading with your choices!

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  14. Ack - you've added to my RIP pile with Shutter Island....forgot I had that one! I'm also thinking Something Wicked This Way Comes is a great idea!

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  15. The Historian and Her Fearful Symmetry are on my TBR too! Enjoy!

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  16. Dracula, My Love is so good and the perfect RIP read!! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. BTW, I just finished The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen and enjoyed it as well!!

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