R.I.P. Challenge, Book Porn, and Upcoming Reviews · 21 August 2007
Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings has announced the start of the much anticipated R.I.P. (Readers Imbibing Peril) 2007 Challenge. Carl is encouraging everyone to read and share books from the categories of Gothic fiction, dark fantasy, urban fantasy, classic or modern horror, mystery, and even creepy non-fiction! It looks to be just as wonderful an event for Fall as the Once Upon a Time Challenge was for Spring.
When I started thinking about which of the many perils that Carl has listed in order to complete the challenge, I looked at the books that were already on my shelf and on my to-be-read list. I noticed a common theme that was perfect for the challenge, vampires. I’ll be starting of with Carl’s Peril Number One, and reading four books that feature vampires.
- Dracula by Bram Stoker – A classic that I haven’t read
- Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko – An urban fantasy full of vampires other dark and mysterious forces.
- Baltimore,: Or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden – You can see my review of the first few chapters here. I was hooked on this title as soon as I saw it.
- Mortal Companion by Patrick Califa – An erotic vampire story in the tradition of Anne Rice because it’s going to be a tough semester and this looks like the perfect bedtime story for those long days.
And, as if I didn’t have enough to read yet, look what showed up in the mail yesterday! It’s my huge stack of books from BookCloseOuts.com. I picked these mostly by random by sifting through the books by prices. Each of these books was less than $3.00. Yes, you heard me right. A big thank you to Chris for pointing this site out.
This stack is a grab bag of whatever caught my fancy. I’m especially looking forward to reading The Wooden Sea by Jonathan Carroll as he was one of the few names I was familiar with from this stack. To give you a taste of the rest of the contents: The Long Silence of Mario Salviati is by a South African author and about an Italian stonecutter in Capetown; Duke of Egypt is about a gypsy couple in World War II Europe; The Lion in the Room Next Door is a collection of short stories, all about the same woman; Ardor: A Novel of Enchantment is a fairy tale about a mule that falls in love with an olive grower; my copy of The Big Banana (English Translation) is in Spanish despite its English title (ooops!) and I can almost read the dust jacket without a dictionary.
The final two books would be contenders for R.I.P challenge as they look to be full of creepiness and dark magic. If I hadn’t already picked out my vampire theme, I might have chosen one or both of these (Little Red was surely intrigued). Evening's Empire is a fantasy described as similar to the Newford books of Charles deLint and The Light Ages is a fantasy twist on the Victorian era.
While I’ve been putting my ankle up, I’ve had an usual amount of time to read, but little to put down my thoughts. Look for reviews of Tipperary and Ending an Ending: First Book of the Laurian Pentology to be posted soon. I also read Throne of Jade, the sequel to His Majesty’s Dragon. Since I felt pretty much the same about the sequel as I did the original, I’ll only be doing a mini-review on it.
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Quixotic · 22 August 2007, 01:31
So pleased you are joining the challenge! Great list of books. I am revisiting Dracula for the challenge, and had a new copy turn up this morning with foreword by Elizabeth Kostova…I am so tempted to bump it straight to the top of the pile…
Look forward to your thoughts on your R.I.P choices!
jean pierre · 22 August 2007, 05:59
i sink you vill haf a vunderfull time wis your choice books…
jean pierre · 22 August 2007, 06:00
eek! i meant to say, “wis your choice OV books”. sorry. ze english lankuage iz not my vurst…
Nymeth · 22 August 2007, 10:37
Your list sounds great. I’m a big fan of vampire fiction, and the only one I’ve read out of those is Dracula, so I really look forward to your reviews.
And that is indeed a great stack of books! All of them sound interesting even though, like you, I am only familiar with Jonathan Carroll. I look forward to your thoughts on those too!
Chris · 22 August 2007, 10:57
I’m glad you’re joining in too! I need to get a copy of Baltimore. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it.
Isn’t bookcloseouts great? They’re such a dangerous site though. Those little cheap trips can add up quick. Ardor sounds really cool!
I got an ARC of Tipperary, but I’ve been a bad reviewer and haven’t read it yet :/ I don’t know when I’ll get to it either. That’s horrible!
Kim · 22 August 2007, 21:28
Thanks all for the vampiric votes of support :)
Chris – I’ve made a pact with myself not to go back to bookcloseouts until December, it’s that dangerous.
Tipperary was pretty interesting. It was also my first ARC copy, so I read it sooner than I would have otherwise, but I’m glad I did because it was refreshing to read a more fiction oriented historical fiction after The All-True Travels of Liddie.
Dark Orpheus · 22 August 2007, 22:39
Seems like “Baltimore” will be one a few lists this year. :)
I’m just waiting for 1st Sept to read it.
Ah, “Night Watch” – I thought of adding it on my list too. But I’m unable to get my hands on a copy from the library. Everyone’s wants it because of the movie.
Cool list. Have fun!
The Book Swede · 22 August 2007, 23:36
Nice list there!
Hi Kim, I’d rate that trilogy (Black Magician) as about 6/10. Anything below 7/10 (in my book) really isn’t worth bothering with. But yeah, I see you’re like me, have to finish something for completion!
The Age of the Five is a better trilogy (7/10 maybe slightly higher). But, to be blunt, there are way better authors out there! I can read Canavan sure, but I’d rather be reading someone better.
Thanks for your comment on my blog :) How’d you find it? Remy’s?
I’ll blogroll you.
Best.
Kim · 23 August 2007, 14:34
Dark Orpheus – Yes, “Baltimore” seems like it will be a favorite. After reading Carl’s review, my anticipation level has grown.
I know what you mean about “Night Watch.” Fortunately I put in on my wishlist at PaperBackSwap almost a year ago, so I was able to get a copy, but I notice that the number of people wishing for it now has grown exponentially.
Chris the Swede – Thanks for the input on the Black Magician. If you’d rated the first trilogy very very low, I might have considered the second one as a great improvement, but I think I’ll skip more Canavan. You’re absolutely right, there are far better books in my reading list!
I actually found your blog through Pat’s Hotlist (I believe) a month ago or so but hadn’t commented. Thanks for the add on the blogroll :)
I’m due for a mass overhaul on mine soon, which will include yours and lots of other sites I’ve discovered since I put mine up.
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