It feels like autumn is very near now, if not actually here as I’ve noticed the leaves are already turning golden on some trees. And it’s that time of year approaching, when “things go bump in the night”, or in other words it’s time for the RIP III Challenge, Readers Imbibing Peril. This year I’m not putting any pressure on myself but I’m jumping straight into Peril the First which is to read four books from any of the following sub-genres of scary stories between 1 September and 31 October. Carl, who is hosting the Challenge, suggests first of all to post a list of potential books and feel free to change any or all of them as we wish. That suits me and I may even read only one “scary” book. The sub-genres are:
Suspense.
Thriller.
Dark Fantasy.
Gothic.
Horror.
Supernatural.
My potential reading may be drawn from these books:
- The Turn of the Screw by Henry James – I’ve been meaning to read this for ages.
- The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier – drugs and time travel.
- The Book of Lost things by John Connolly – apparently creepy and disturbing.
- The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeir – a mystery surrounding the afterlife.
- The Collector by John Fowles – haunting and darkly melancholic.
- The Gravedigger’s Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates – a ‘nightmarish celebration of the American dream.’
- The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks – macbre and bizarre.
- Not Dead Enough by Peter James – murder and deception.
I think that’s enough to be going on with – I may change, add or subtract from this list.
Thank you so very much for joining in again. I really appreciate it! Love your pool of books. If you end up reading Brief History of the Dead I will be very curious about your thoughts on the book, as well as your other reads.
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I’ve never read that Daphne Du Maurier book- I look forward to seeing what you think 🙂
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I’ve read the first three on your list. All were excellent but especially The House on the Strand – I couldn’t put that one down once I’d started it. The Book of Lost Things is ‘different’. It wasn’t what I was expecting but I liked it despite the fact that it’s retold fairy tales. Those are generally not for me but the storyline here was weird and unexpected and I liked it. But I like even more John Connolly’s supernatural anthology, ‘Nocturnes’. Whatever you read, I look forward to your reviews.
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The Book of Lost Things and The Wasp Factory are great reads, enjoy x
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I’ve only read the Henry James novel (novella?), which I really liked. The rest sound good, too. I should read The House on the Strand, though I am rereading Rebecca right now. I hope to read some of her short stories at least. I need to check out your other titles now.
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Carl, there are lots of fascinating books to choose from, which I may not have looked at except for your challenge, thanks.
Cath, I’m really intrigued by The Book of Lost Things now!
Katrina, I’ve dipped into The Wasp Factory – it certainly looks different.
Danielle, I haven’t got The House on the Strand yet, otherwise I’d be reading it now – I love Du Maurier’s books, especially Rebecca – time to re-read that one soon.
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Time will tell. You should know better than to mention the weather in this country – it’s baking now.
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Dave, I know, I know and I can’t stand the heat! Roll on autumn.
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I’m hoping to read The Book of Lost Things for the challenge too.
And really? The leaves are already starting to turn there? I can’t wait for Autumn but it’ll be at least another 2 months before the leaves change here.
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What a fun list! I almost put The Book of Lost Things on my list but went for Lovecraft instead. I hope I don’t regret that!
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Hi Margaret, I didn’t participate actively in last year’s challenge, so I’ve only just discovered your blog. Nice to meet another UK blogger!
Great choices for the challenge. The Wasp Factory is indeed on the bizarre side… The Book of Lost Things is a brilliant book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I hope you do too!
I also love Daphne du Maurier’s work, and it is perfect for the R.I.P challenge. I’m so pleased to see her on many of the lists people have posted.
As for the weather, it’s currently a tad chilly and rather wet here in Dorset. Perfect R.I.P reading weather!
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I read A Brief History of the Dead recently and enjoyed it very much. Interesting premise and very thought-provoking.
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very nice list. I’ve been wanting to read The Book of Lost Things .
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