Letting It RIP
by Jenners • 09/11/2012 • Reading Challenges • 49 Comments
Hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings
Runs from September 1 – October 31
It is that time of year again … time to read creepy and scary books and scare the pants off ourselves! As Carl says,
The purpose of R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VII is to enjoy books and movies/television that could be classified (by you) as:
Mystery.
Suspense.
Thriller.
Dark Fantasy.
Gothic.
Horror.
Supernatural.
Or anything sufficiently moody that shares a kinship with the above.
As the weather just recently turned cool and Fall seems to be on its way, I finally feel ready to pick my RIP books and start reading. This year, I’ll be choosing:
LET ME IN by John Ajvide Lindqvist
First of all, check out the incredibly creepy cover at left!! This is one that was put on my radar by Sandy and I bought it months ago specifically as a RIP read. I’ve already started it and it is living up to the promise of the cover already. It is set in Sweden and involves vampires and bullies and lots of creepy stuff that is already giving me the heebie jeebies.
I AM LEGEND by Richard Matheson
This is supposed to be one of the best vampire books of all time, and I believe it was made into a movie starring Will Smith. Amazon had it on sale one day as part of their Kindle Daily Deals, and I snapped it up, along with the next two books listed below.
MAKE ROOM! MAKE ROOM! by Harry Harrison
This is the book that was the basis for the movie Soylent Green, which I’ve never seen and no nothing about except for one line. (I think you know the one I mean.) All I know is it involves a world that is very overcrowded.
DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS by John Wyndham
Published in 1951, this is acclaimed as a horrifying science fiction classic about aggressive plants. (I must confess that I mixed it up with that Star Trek episode with those fuzzy balls. Turns out those are tribbles.)
THE PURE IN HEART by Susan Hill
I’ve had this book (the second Simon Serrailler crime novel) on my shelves FOREVER since I read the most excellent first book in the series, The Various Haunts of Men. It has been way too long to read the follow-up so I’ll get it read during RIP.
THE LITTLE STRANGER by Sarah Waters
I’ve been wanting to read another book by the author of the incredibly twisty and satisfying Fingersmith and decided that this book (described as “a ghost story that creeps up your spine”) would be the perfect choice. And I’m not alone in thinking that as it turns out this book was chosen as one of the RIP Readalong books this year. Although I’m not sure I’ll get it done in time to participate in the readalong stuff, I figure I can always chime in later with people who’ve just recently read it.
So those are my RIP plans. I think I have a pretty good mix of books (classics and modern choices), and I’ll do my best to read them and review them right away so I’m not talking about ghosts and vampires and killer plants in December while everyone else is dreaming of sugar plums and candy canes.
Looks like you’ve picked some good ones to read. I have wanted to read The Little Stranger for ages. I love scary or even just creepy books.
I think I’ve had The Little Stranger sitting on my shelf for more than a year now. About time I got to it!
Let Me In is on my list….I am not usually into scary books but I do like vampire stories.
Let Me In was really interesting and different. I quite enjoyed it and am trying to work up the nerve to see the movie.
I just signed up! I love me some scary!!
It really is a great reading event. I look forward to it every year.
Happy reading Jenners. I’ve been wanting to read Let Me In and I Am Legend.
I just finished up Let Me In and it was Sooooooooo good! Really creepy and weird and horrible but also I couldn’t stop reading. Now I want to see the movie but I’m afraid I won’t be able to handle it. Just some of the passages I was reading were freaking me out.
These look really good! I plan to read The Little Stranger soon, too. I read Let the Right One In (aka Let Me In) several years ago — it’s quite good. I’ve also read this author’s other books and seen the two movie adaptations (Let the Right One In and Let Me In). I’m not usually a horror movie buff, but I count myself as a fan of both movies.
Enjoy!
I just finished Let Me In and loved it … totally want to check out both movies. I watched the movie trailers for both and it seems like the American version takes quite a few liberties with the story. Still, it seems like the essence is there. I’m just afraid it might be too graphic for me. I’m a weenie.
I’m really not good at this type of book – big chicken! But I did join Jenn Lawrence’s Monsters, Murder and Hayhem – and The Little Strangers was one of her recommendations. I’ll try to work up the nerve.
I’m really excited for The Little Stranger. It gets such glowing reviews and is supposed to be disturbing without being gross and that is always better to me.
Great list of potential reads! I’m really enjoying The Little Stranger. It is a slow, creeping book but that is one of the many things I am enjoying about it. The Matheson story is really good. I enjoyed the movie with Smith and the older Vincent Price film based on the story, The Last Man on Earth, but neither really touch the story at all. Good time to read Harrison as he just passed away. He is one of my favorite authors since my youth and I’m wanting to read something by him soon just by way of honoring his passing.
Wonderful to have you back for RIP 7!!!
I’m really excited to start The Little Stranger and see what it is all about. And quite a few people have been saying how good the Matheson book is so I’m really pumped to read that. So sorry to hear about the death of Harrison; I like to think I’m helping to pay tribute to him as well. Thanks for hosting such a fun event. I look forward to it every year.
You have to read Let me in! It’s fabulous. And hopefully the English translation is a good one. In fact, most of his books are very good indeed! Horror with social commentary.
I just finished up Let Me In and it is fabulous! Wouldn’t make me want to live in Sweden however — HAHA! I’m definitely planning to check out more by him. It was interesting how he made you sympathize with the “vampire” and against the monsters who were the human bullies.
YAY!!!!!!!!!! You finally joined! I’m excited to see your thoughts on these. I have LET ME IN. That is a perfect choice. Have fun!
The cooler weather finally hit and now I’m in a RIPing mood. I just finished Let Me In — so so good. It was really the perfect RIP Read. Now I want to watch the movie!
That’s great! IT did me in on spooky reads for the near future, so I’m taking it easy with a straight-up mystery set in a pre-apocalyptic world. It may not be pure horror but it is not light and fluffy by any means. The key is that there are no killer clowns.
I am Legend was made into a movie with Will Smith– a must see! He seriously carries almost the entire movie completely by himself, it is amazing. And yes, totally creepy too.
I think I might be doing a lot of reading the books and then watching the movies. It is always fun to see how they translate.
You’re ambitious! Best of luck with Peril the First. You have some great sounding book choices here.
I’m already finished with Let Me In — it was fabulous. Perfect way to kick off the challenge. I’m anxious to get to some of the others now.
Yay! I am so glad that you will be joining! I want to pick a few of my own and join as well! Oh, and a lot of the books you picked are great as well!
Check out Let Me In — I got it because of Sandy and she was right — it was awesome. I want to watch the movie now … but in the daylight. I’m sure it would be too scary to watch at night.
I think I’d have to include a re-reading of Dracula or The Exorcist if I had a list – they creeped me out the first time I read them. I’d want to see if I’ve gotten any braver since adolescence.
I just read Jane Vows Vengeance, which is about Jane Austen returning as a modern-day vampire. Not scary at all, just a bit creepy and silly.
All those Jane Austen books seem a bit silly to me. I read the zombie one and it was amusing but definitely not scary. I don’t think being a grow-up will make The Exorcist any less scary actually.
I wish I had more time in my life right now! I didn’t know about the readalong, but I have a copy of that Sarah Waters book and some good intentions to read it on a day here soon.
I didn’t even know there was a readalong for the Waters book until I went over to get the button. I’d already picked it and then saw it listed so I felt like “I definitely picked the right book.”
ahhh, you’ve reminded me I need to do my own RIP post! and I”ve only picked 2 books so far for my spooky/scary stories!
And ooo, you’re so right, that first cover (Let Me In) is especially creepy. I can’t wait to hear what you think about it!
And I saw the movie I Am Legend but for the life of me cannot remember if I liked it or not ~ do you plan to watch the movie after you read the book?
I just finished up Let Me In and it was great. Super creepy and lots of really graphic descriptions that gave me shivers. I’m afraid I might not be able to handle the movie actually! I’m really pumped to move on to I Am Legend as everyone has been raving about it. I might have to do the movie afterwards too.
Wasn’t there a movie version (B&W, perhaps) of Day of the Triffids? I’m picturing some sort of tumbleweeds….
You make me want to start blogging again so I can participate in this year’s challenge!! The only book I’ve read so far this month would fit: The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly.
I bet there is a movie version as I knew the title sounded really familiar. But I think the plants are more aggressive than tumbleweeds … but what do I know!
Far too much a scaredy cat to read anything too frightening, I’m quite proud that I was brave enough to read I am Legend. A great book and one that ultimately had me in tears.
Oh … so good to hear about I Am Legend. I’ve been hearing a lot of raves about it and now I’m doubly excited to read it.
Jenners, I’m such a chicken! I’m creeped out just reading your brief descriptions of each book. Have fun with this challenge! I’m happy to be back blogging and reading your awesome posts again
I’m glad you’re back in the blogging world with us again! So often, people end up never coming back and you always wonder how their lives are going.
I haven’t read any of those books. Have fun with the challenge!
Thanks. I hope I don’t give myself nightmares!
Have fun; I love this challenge.
I love it too. I look forward to it all year.
but I always love creepy! I think I live in an RIP challenge..
yeah … you do a 365-day RIP challenge!
Those are some great choices. I really like the mix! I’m starting to realize that I chose A LOT of Victorian-set novels. It’s going to be a long two months.
But that is your thing!! : )
Wow, I don’t think I’ve read that many books in the past few years. Although, probably as many pages with all those texts. You’re inspiring me want to start recreational reading again – as long as it does not involve super heroes or Tinkerbell.
I was going to say what you said: you’ve read that many books just in textbook form, which is not as fun. Now that school is done, maybe you’ll get to read more for pure fun.
Let Me In has to be a fantastic book because both movies were tremendous – the Swedish and the American. As for I Am Legend, the novella threw me for a loop because of how different it is from the movie, but a really interesting and very human story. Have fun!
I just finished Let Me In and just loved it. Then I watched the trailers for both movies and am trying to work up the nerve to watch them. Seems like the American version changed things up quite a bit (of course). Hope they got the basics right. I’m excited to move on to I Am Legend now.