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Turning the calendar page to September can only mean one thing when it comes to reading: time for the RIP Challenge! It’s been nine years —nine! — that Carl has been hosting what has surely become a highly anticipated fall event. I know I always look forward to it and actually started thinking about what I would read a few months ago, plenty of time to write and rewrite and rewrite again the list of books. And now here we are and I need to figure out what, exactly, I am going to read. Of course I can always change my mind. For some reason I don’t feel like I have much time to read many books for RIP, not sure why I’m feeling that way, maybe the big pile of books on my reading table has something to do with it. But I will still manage to get in a few, so here’s what I’m thinking of:
- House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski. I’ve been meaning to read this one for years and I think it is finally time I got to it. It is a sort of haunted house story in which the house, much like the TARDIS, is bigger on the inside. Only I don’t think the Doctor will be showing up to sort things out and save the day.
- She by H. Rider Haggard. A little adventure, a chance at immortality, and a whole lot of Victorian prejudice, what more could a girl want? I actually started reading this at lunch today on my Kindle. Such proper gentlemen about to be terrified by a strong woman and Africa. Horrors!
- What’s a RIP Challenge without some old fashioned gothic romance? The Old English Baron by Clara Reeve. Published in 1777, Reeve described it as “the literary offspring of The Castle of Otranto.” It is filled with revelations, horrors, betrayals, and a final battle between good and evil. I presume there might also be a beautiful maiden in there somewhere too.
- If I survive The Old English Baron and find myself prepared to face more terror, I just might give Glenarvon by Lady Caroline Lamb a go. Lamb was Lord Byron’s mistress, one of them anyway, and the title character is reportedly a very unflattering depiction of him. It was Lamb’s first novel and a big success. Ah, revenge is sweet.
If the “classics” get to be too much I might substitute something more recent, but that will be a last minute decision. Stay tuned!
I just signed up (year #7 for me). So glad I saw your post Stefanie – enjoy
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Diane, doesn’t time fly? I always love seeing what other people are planning on reading.
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Enjoy your RIP challenge Stefanie. I wonder how you will get on with She and Rider Haggard! I have never tried him but mean to one day. The other week was the 200th anniversary of perhaps the best of all ghost story writers, J Sheridan Le Fanu and I think that any RIP challenger should consider reading at least one of his deliciously spooky stories!
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Ian, thanks! We’ll see how She goes. I expect it will be interesting. I read Le Fanu’s Carmilla a few years back. That was great fun! Any others of his I should consider?
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The collection In A Glass Darkly – which includes Carmilla. The stories all feature the alienist Martin Hesselius ( think that’s the spelling). The best story? The chilling Greeen Tea.
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Sounds wonderful! If I don’t get to it for this year’s RIP Challenge it will definitely be tops on my list for next year! Thanks!
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I hardly ever take part but I do love to see what my friends are reading. I’d be most intrigued to hear how you get on with House of Leaves!
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Litlove, I’ve been wanting to read House of Leaves for ages mostly because it is put together in such an interesting way. I’m hoping it will add to the story and not turn out to be a gimmick.
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Sounds like a great list. I like reading some of the earliest works in the Gothic genre–which is kind of strange since I don’t always like the novels themselves. I didn’t like Le Fanu’s The Wyvern Mystery at all. Glenarvon sounds interesting on several levels!
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jenclair, I do enjoy early gothic, it usually has so many interesting things going on it. And, like you, I don;t always even like the story. Will add your Le Fanu suggestion to my list. Thanks!
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It’s always fun to see what folks are reading. If I participate I might only challenge myself to one, although I do love a good ghost story. I loved Le Fanu’s Uncle Silas, which I read just a couple of years ago. My one and only read by him. I have the Penguin Classics edition with the creepy cover. Looking forward to hearing your reviews.
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Grad, thanks for the Le Fanu suggestion! You can fit in one good ghost story I’m sure! Tis the season for some spooky fun 🙂
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I just read a description of House of Leaves. Sounds downright mind-blowing to use a vintage word.
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Deb, doesn’t it sound like a really good book? I’ve been wanting to read it for years and I figured it was about time I got around to it!
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This is not something I would take part in, but I like the sound of your choices. I look forward to reading how you go over the month.
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whisperinggums, it is the only challenge I take part in these days which makes it fun because I am not overwhelmed worried about the reading. We’ll see if I can manage to read as I planned!
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I’ll be watching – I know what you mean about challenges.
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I think you’ll like House of Leaves. I mean to reread it someday. Definitely more substance to it than gimmick, though some bits did not resonate with me as much as others. However, even though I don’t recall many aspects of the story, I aver that this is the scariest book I’ve ever read.
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Isabella, I’m there is more substance than gimmick in House of Leaves. And its the scariest book you have ever read? Yikes! What am I getting myself into?
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I think I have participated every year, too! I have not heard of the last two titles on your list so I look forward to hearing about them. I am underway in two of my books and have read one short story–may have to tweak my story choices….. I love this time of year!
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