One of my favorite annual blog events is Readers Imbibing Peril, or RIP. Because let’s face it, the real world is scary enough.
This event runs from September 1 to October 31, and is all about reading things that are spooky, whether they are mystery, horror, thriller, fantasy, or supernatural. R.I.P. XIII is a fun way to share favorite eerie novels and short stories, and just to celebrate the season.
There are multiple levels of participation (Perils):
- Peril the First – Read four books, any length.
- Peril the Second – Read two books of any length.
- Peril the Third – This Peril involves reading one book.
- Peril of the Short Story
- Peril on the Screen
Here’s what I’ve already read this month:
- The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
- Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
And here’s what’s on my TBR list:
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
- Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw
- Circe by Madeline Miller
And a couple of graphic novels I’m hoping to read:
- Monstress, Vol. 2 by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
- My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris
Here are a few other recommendations if you’re thinking about participating:
- Mystery/thriller: anything by Belinda Bauer or Robert Galbraith, After Atlas by Emma Newman, Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly, Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
- Fantasy: The Shades of Magic series by VE Schwab, the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden,
- Horror: The Stand (or anything else) by Stephen King, We Have Always Lived in the Castle (or anything else) by Shirley Jackson, A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
- Supernatural: The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker, The Graveyard Book or The House at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
By the way, as I think about these categories I find I have trouble separating out fantasy, horror, and supernatural. Are there clear lines or are we just talking semantics? I’ve also never been clear on what’s dark fantasy as opposed to fantasy.
I may not be happy about the coming of fall but at least I can enjoy what I read. Are you participating? What books would you suggest?
