It is approaching time for Carl’s second annual RIP Challenge. I am feeling behind on my reading and all those new books I posted about yesterday aren’t helping matters. First I was going to skip the challenge in spite of the fun I had last year. Then I was going to just read one book. But now I have decided to throw all caution to the wind and go for the full challenge of Peril the First, which means four books between September 1st and October 31st. Here’s my list:
- Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor. It is the second book of the Looking Glass Wars series, book one of which I read for the challenge last year.
- The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. I’m worried this one might give me nightmares. Maybe I should save it for last in case I become catatonic from fear?
- The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Who doesn’t know the story? But I’ve never read the book.
- Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe. I’ve seen the movie, long ago on a lazy Saturday afternoon TV. matinee, probably with Elvira. Remember Elvira? The good old days of television.
I’m not completely confident I can read all those with everything else going on but I’ll give it a try. Better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all. Or some such.
Besides, I have to make up for all those people out there who aren’t reading (link from my wonderful sister). A new Associated Press-Ipsos poll found that one in four adults didn’t read a single book in the past year. How sad is that? So someone has to make up for those one in four adults, it may as well be me. You’re welcome to jump on the bandwagon too. The more the merrier 
(That’s my not very subtle attempt to get more people to read more books. Did it work? Are your going to log off your computer right now and go read?)
1 in 4 adults didn’t read a single book?! That’s so sad! Great list! Fall of the House of Usher is a wonderful story. One of my favorite of Poe’s. The Haunting of Hill House is my girlfriend’s sister’s favorite book and she’s been trying to get me to read it for ages. I guess I should do that one of these days :p
Oh my! Scary books challenge, whatever will we do? Obviously, run over and sign up for it, of course! Your list looks good to me. I’m not familiar with the Looking Glass War series, though I’ve read the Stevenson and Poe stories. Shirley Jackson writes a scary story, so that’ll be good. I’ve just seen the different movie versions of The Haunting of Hill House, not read the book. Speaking of movies, other than some teenagers, who doesn’t remember Elvira?
The scariest part of your post is the statistic that 1/4 of all adults didn’t even read one book. As a confirmed biblioholic, that is appalling to me.
I think I ought not to begin this challenge as I want to do the outmoded authors one, but I always love reading what other people read for it, and given as I love reading your reviews anyway, Stefanie, I can’t lose, can I? I very much enjoyed the Edgar Allen Poe story, by the way. I think he’s fab.
Oh, now this challenge is seriously tempting. I love to be scared witless! I might have a look to see if anything on my TBR shelf counts, if not I’ll have to buy something new, and wouldnt that be terrible!
Thank you. I had completely forgotten about the Looking Glass War books, which I have been meaning to check out since I read about the first book on Carl’s blog ages ago.
Great list. Look forward to your thoughts!
I have to confess, regarding the article, I simply don’t understand people that don’t read. It is a completely alien concept to me, despite the fact that I always seem to be surrounded by people who don’t read or dislike reading.
Oh no! Not this tempting challenge again. I think I’ll do it retrospectively. I spend every October and November reading scary books. Can’t wait to hear what you think about The Haunting of Hill House (one of my all-time favorite books). When you finish it, if you’d like, I’ll send you the short story I derived from it. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is on my list for this fall, as well. I read it in high school, but barely remember a thing about it.
Shirley Jackson is wonderful. If you enjoy (and you will) The Haunting of Hill House, please check out We Have Always Lived in the Castle.
Oh yes, I second We Have Always Lived in the Castle.
I read one of Shirly Jackson’s books–I think it was We Have Always Lived in the Castle, but it has been so long I can’t remember any details. Sounds like it might be time for a reread. You’ll whiz through Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde–I read it last year. I think my goal is going to be one book and some short stories, but if I end up reading more that will be just fine!
I read that article this morning as well. Sad statistics! Doesn’t the pool guy know he can easily take out a book and lay by the pool, or better get one of those floaty things and lay In the pool and read? At least they mentioned the people who do read. I wonder how long the statistics have been this way? I’d love to turn off my comptuer and go read….but you probably don’t mean me….
Can’t join in on the scary book challenge. I wouldn’t sleep a wink. In any case, I’m going to have enough trouble sleeping tonight, wondering about those unfortunate souls who never read. Never! Yipes!
I do wonder what people who don’t read do with their time … I mean — what else is there, cleaning house??
http://www.elvira.com/
Chris, isn’t that one of the saddest statistics ever? I really enjoyed Jackson’s story, “The Lottery,” so I’m looking forward to Hill House.
Geekgirl, I’m not very good at scary, but I like to try. Can’t wait to see what you choose for the challenge!
Litlove, Poe is delightfully creepy, isn’t he? He’s just scary enough to give me chills but not so scary that I get nightmares.
Jem, join up if you can make room among your Booker readings.
Quixotic, you’re welcome. The first book was a fun fast read. I’m hoping this second one will be too.
Emily, I’m worried Hill House is going to be too scary and am trying not to chicken out on it and switch to something else. I am a big wimp. I’d love to read your story after I finish Jekyll and Hyde!
Susan, if I survive Hill House this year, I’ll be sure to read We Have Always Lived in the Castle for next year’s challenge.
Danielle, I’m glad Jekyll and Hyde is a quick one. And I wondered about the pool guy too. Reading by the pool or while floating in the pool would be absolutely heavenly in my opinion.
Maggie, the books don’t have to be scary, you could go for Victorian gothic, something with lots of atmosphere but nothing that will give you nightmares.
Dorothy, I’m not sure what people who don’t read do with their spare time. I’ll bet a lot of them have an active social life.
Sumofone, that is a fantastic link! Though I don’t think anyone could possibly be as perfect as the original.
Know what’s scary? That poll! Yikes. Anyway… I read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for the challenge last year. It was so different than what I expected. Of course I kept picturing movie versions in my mind. I still haven’t decided which books to read. This weekend I plan to get my act in order for all of these challenges. yay.
Heh, Iliana, the poll is scary isn’t it? I’m sure I will have a similar experienc of Jekyll and Hyde as you did since I’ve only ever seen the movies.
This was so much fun last year. I still need to firm up this year’s picks — yours look quite interesting.
LK, looking forward to seeing your list!
I highly recommend “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” by Shirley Jackson. I have also read “The Haunting of Hill House,” but the “messed up” factor in Castle far surpasses Hill House, imho. I loved it!! At the end, it makes you question every premise you thought you had hold of in the beginning. Check it out!
Peg, thanks for the recommendation. I will be sure to check it out!