Thursday, September 2, 2010

RIP V Challenge


There is something inherent about shorter days, the turning of leaves and a whiff of woodsmoke that endears my heart to a ghost story.  Halloween may be two months away but such an atmospheric 'season' if you will, is simply too much fun to limit to one day of trick or treats.

Popping by A Work in Progress,  I was excited to discover that the RIP V challenge is in full swing again this year until October 31.  Not usually one for reading challenges I find this one and Persephone Week just too pleasurable to pass up.
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Peril the Third is the level I've chosen which requires reading one novel but I do have a few unread short stories befitting this genre and a collection of spooky goings-on from sites around London.
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The Woman in White - Just how many people have yet to read this book?  Surely I am one of but a few.  Since I've been immersed in the Victorian era as of late it's the perfect time to slot in this classic sensation novel mixing 'Gothic horror with psychological realism'.  And who can resist more Wilkie Collins...not me.
Haunted London - This has been on my bookshelf since 2007, when R and I visited London and couldn't get enough of the spooky tales we heard on those fabulous London Walks.  Filled with tales of ghosts and horror in locations from The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane to Newgate Prison this should be good for raising some gooseflesh.
Ghost Stories - This Everyman's Pocket Classic lists spooky (and odd) short stories from stellar authors such as Edith Wharton, PG Wodehouse, Henry James, Saki and Elizabeth Bowen.  I have my eye on 'The Quincunx' by Walter de la Mare for this season.
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If you're interested in finding out more about this reading challenge, please click here

7 comments:

  1. I love this time of year--I can't pass up a challenge that includes reading books like these, and I'm glad you're reading along, too. I'll be happy if I just get through No Name, which I am already several chapters in and now I remember just how much I love Victorian Lit and want to read more this fall. I Loved A Woman in White and think you will probably enjoy it as well since it fits in well with the books you've been reading lately! I will have to see if my library has that anthology of short stories--I can't pass up a good ghost story either! And Haunted London sounds like great fun especially since you are familiar with some of the place and have been there! (Can you tell it takes so little to please me when it comes to good books).

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  2. Danielle, It all sounds good doesn't it! I am really enjoying being pulled back into Victorian Lit myself. Thanks again for the heads up on another year of the RIP challenge...prepare to be spooked!

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  3. I can't pass up this challenge and how it embodies the onset of winter either!

    The Woman in White is a brilliant read (although I prefer The Moonstone) and I've had my eye on that collection of Ghost Stories - was it the Christmas one you mentioned in past or the Love? Either way the series has been on my radar since then.

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  4. Paperback Reader, The Christmas edition is the other one that I own but I do covet the Love edition as well as Detective Stories. Hmmm...great ideas for my Christmas list!

    I have a feeling that The Woman in White could very well cascade in to The Moonstone very soon. I'm intrigued by the fact he wrote quite a lot of that one while under the influence of laudanum!

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  5. Awesome list of books. I too have yet to read Woman in White, despite it having occupied my bookshelf for a few years now. Since Danielle first read and reviewed it actually. One day!!!
    Thanks so much for joining in, I think you have some deliciously gothic reading ahead of you.

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  6. Carl, Thanks for stopping by and hosting this reading challenge...perfect for this time of year!

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  7. I haven't read The Woman in White yet, but hopefully soon!

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