It’s time for the annual Readers Imbibing Peril or RIP for short, Carl’s seasonal reading event encouraging all and sundry to enjoy some atmospheric creepy (or scary) gothic horror supernatural goodness. This is year number seven. The event runs from September 1st through one of my favorite holidays, Halloween.
I will be attempting Peril the First which involves reading four books. Last year I went for Victorian gothic goodness. This year I am mixing it up with something old and several new. Here is what I plan on reading in no particular order:
- Dark Matter by Michelle Paver. It hasn’t been published in the US and while I can get used copies online I want new and so will be making my first order from Book Depository. I have so far managed to avoid buying from them feeling like it will be a slippery slope. We’ll see if I start sliding or not. Anyway, the book, which several bloggers have already read and enjoyed, is a ghost story set in the far north.
- The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen. First published as a story in 1890, Machen turned it into a book in 1894. It was declared degenerate and horrific at the time but has since become classic horror. Insanity, sex, the god Pan, a sinister and beautiful woman. What more could anyone want?
- This New & Poisonous Air : Stories by Adam McOmber is a book of short stories that blend historical fiction, fantasy and the macabre. It came to my attention not long ago via Danielle. It seems like it should be fun.
- Finally, Affinity by Sarah Waters. I thought about doing a group read of The Little Stranger with other RIPpers, but decided that I was more in the mood for spiritualism and seances.
So there are my four. I am looking forward to all of them and seeing what others joining in the event that is RIP are reading. A good time is sure to be had by all. Will you be participating?
I’ve read the short story “Great God Pan”; didn’t realize Machen had lengthened it to book form. The McOmber collection sounds interesting.
nzumel, wikipedia calls it a novella. I downloaded it from Project Gutenberg so I don’t know how many pages that comes out to but I am looking forward to it. I began reading the McOmber collection and so far so good!
Oooh, my library has Dark Matter! I’m very tempted to pick it up too. Thank you for pointing it out to me.
Iris, lucky you that your library has it! It should be a good ghost story!
Awesome to have you in with us for RIP VII! I love Book Depository. But yes, it can be dangerous.
Its been awhile since I’ve ordered anything from them, but they are generally my ‘go to’ option when I’m looking for something that doesn’t pop up on Amazon’s US site.
What a good excuse to read some scary fiction! I have a paperback of Machen somewhere, I suppose he is a good example of a minor classic.
Can strongly recommend Affinity which is not only hugely atmospheric but, in its way, heartbreaking. I really like her other books – especially The Night Watc and The Little Ghost- but I think Affinity is my favourite. Hope you enjoy it.
Ian, isn’t it a good excuse? I’m more of a gothic or psychological thriller sort of chills down the spine gal rather than full out horror that makes me afraid to turn off the lights. since RIP began I have discovered there are lots and lots of books that are satisfyingly creepy but not nightmare inducing. Glad to h ear Affinity is a good one. I’ve only read Tipping the Velvet and have meant to try her more atmospheric works for awhile so I am looking forward to enjoying Affinity.
Carl, wouldn’t miss it! I always figured if I waited long enough for books published abroad they’d eventually make it here and it usually works. But I think now that I have broken the ice with BD, it will be a hard thing to wait.
Where I’ve found Book Depository especially useful is in getting books, like those from Persephone, that I can’t get over here. And I generally get them cheaper from BD. Also I occasionally want a book with the UK cover because I like it better and BD has been a go-to place for that.
I think I have too much else to read this autumn, but I do so hope you enjoy Dark Matter and will be very interested indeed to see what you think of Affinity. I have that to read too.
Litlove, perhaps you might be able to slip in one spine-tingling book before Halloween arrives, you never know!
Affinity is absolutely amazing, but oh, how it broke my heart. I won’t say more for now – looking forward to your thoughts!
Ana, glad to hear it! I am getting very excited to read it now.
It’s my favourite of hers, too. But I am still considering a re-read of The Little Stranger for the R-A-L….
Great choices; I would like to find Dark Matter, myself! And I loved Affinity. Great God Pan is new to me but sounds amazing. I am currently reading Gone Girl, then will move on to an older Dan Simmons, Carrion Comfort, and I really want to read M.R. James’ ghost stories. We’ll see what I get through — will try to compile my RIP list this weekend!
wherethereisjoy, so many things to choose from! Can’t wait to see your list.
Oh, all good choices! I love anything by Sarah Waters and really enjoyed Affinity. I’ll be joining you on the McOmber as I had only read three of the stories and decided to wait to finish the collection to read now. And the Paver was a really good ghost story, too. Be careful with TBD–it is indeed dangerous (yay for free shipping)!
Danielle, thanks! I am so glad to hear from so many people that Affinity is really good. I started the McOmber Saturday night and am thus far enjoying it. I must be very careful with TBD, the free shipping part is really dangerous.
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Hmmm … I don’t usually participate in this, but I might be tempted by a Sarah Waters. There’s a group read of The Little Stranger? That might be fun, and I think I have that one on hand.
Rebecca, yes, there are a bunch of people doing a read of Little Stranger. Carl includes info on it in his RIP post. Have fun!
I read Dark Matter last winter, and just put up my review for it! lol It really is good, I hope you enjoy it.
The Book Depository has been good to me so far, in that everything has arrived in good condition. I try to not use it too much, it is a slippery slope, isn’t it?
Love your choices, have fun, Stefanie! I’m about to do my join-in post today.
Susan, LOL, I like to let books settle in my mind a bit before posting about them but I think you win for on that front! Glad to hear Book Depository has been good for you. Sometimes when ordering books in the mail you never know what they will look like when they arrive in your mailbox. Looking forward to seeing your RIP choices!
Stefanie — what an awesome list for scary reads — a la Halloween — BUT BUT BUT — oh, I am quiver-tating — the Sarah Waters book is just so good. So amazing. It was my all-time fave book of The Reading Year of 2010:
http://bookpuddle.blogspot.ca/2010/12/best-books-of-2010.html
You are so going to love it. What is so crazy about it is that all along, you just do not know what is real, and what isn’t. The unbelievable is JUST as believable for the reader as it is for the… character in the book.
It is so superb! The best of Sarah Waters, by far!
Cipriano, oh now you have really looking forward to Affinity! I love books that make you wonder what is real and what isn’t that’s what I love about Shirley Jackson. I started the McOmber book because it came from the library. I own Affinity and that will be what I read next!
Oh, I love the RIP! Great selections — I’m going to look up Dark Matter now, I had somehow missed that one. I’ve just joined, getting back to the blog after some time!!
Melwyk, thanks! I always love putting together RIP reads. Looking forward to your choices!
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