R.I.P. XI Challenge-- Sign Me Up!

It's that time again!! Yes, the best time of the year (and I'm not talking about Christmas). The R.I.P. Challenge (R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril) hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings is back for it's 11th year and I couldn't be more excited. I'm not kidding when I say that I start planning as soon as the challenge ends-- I love it!

This is my sixth year participating and feel it's going to be one of my best reading stacks yet! I'm sharing what I've got on the R.I.P. TBR and the rules of the game for those who are interested in joining and want to learn more.

What is R.I.P.? 

It's an informal reading event from September 1st to October 31st where participants focus on the following genres:

Mystery
Suspense
Thriller
Gothic
Horror
Dark Fantasy

I'm shooting for Peril the First*:

*Read four books, any length, that you feel fit (the very broad definitions) of R.I.P. literature. It could be King or Conan Doyle, Penny or Poe, Chandler or Collins, Lovecraft or Leroux…or anyone in between. (Head over to Carl's site to learn more.)

Some potential reads to meet my goal of four full-length novels:

Click on the title to read the summary on Goodreads:

Listen to Me by Hannah Pittard, We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, Florence & Giles by John Harding, Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version by Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, and Philip Pullman (Editor), The Trespasser by Tana French, The Secret Rooms: A True Story of a Haunted Castle, a Plotting Duchess, and a Family Secret by Catherine Bailey, The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James, Affinity by Sarah Waters, The Hounds of Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle, Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller, The Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer by Kate Summerscale, The Asylum by John Harwood

As sad as it'll be to say goodbye to summer,  I can't deny that I'm pretty excited about the crisp autumn air and fun activities that come up this time of year. I mean how can you say no to activities like this...

*Note: I also have three posts of summer reviews that have been languishing in my draft folder this entire season. SHAME. They'll slowly be pushed out in the next couple of weeks.

Are you participating in the challenge?? If so, what's on your list? If not, what's your favorite thing to do during the fall?

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RIP X Challenge: The List

Fall is around the corner. Pumpkin spice is about to be added to every known culinary dish. AND the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril X Challenge is kicking off!! Did I mention it's my absolute favorite reading event?!? The fact that The Estella Society is hosting this year is also pretty freaking awesome. You go ladies! And of course, we can't mention the event without a very BIG thanks to Carl V. Anderson of Stainless Steel Droppings who created it ten years ago. 

The Deal:

Read novels that fit any of the following genres from Sept 1st to October 31st:

Mystery.

Suspense.

Thriller.

Dark Fantasy.

Gothic.

Horror.

Supernatural.

Without further ado, here's my RIP X Challenge pledge (I'm going all in):

(read ANY four books that fit the RIP genre outline above)

&

(celebrate and read short stories)

The Books:

*Note: My husband is participating this year and has chosen Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for Peril the Third. Yay, Justin!!

I have about three or four more on my Kindle that I haven't added here, but they'll probably be read while I'm touring Iceland later this month!! Can't think of a better place for a brooding atmosphere.

What are you guys reading this year?!? 

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Seasonal Reads with the RIP IX Challenge

Every year a large number of readers in the blogging community get together and read seasonal, spooky reads to celebrate Autumn and Halloween. Because it's my absolute favorite season, and reading event, and because I just love to read, I'm committing for the 4th year in a row and urge you to do the same!

So what is it, exactly...

Carl's Stainless Steel Droppings R. I. P. IX Event 

Pick a book/movie from the following genres:

Mystery.
Suspense.
Thriller.

Dark Fantasy.
Gothic.
Horror.
Supernatural.

Or anything sufficiently moody that shares a kinship with the above.

That is what embodies the stories, written and visual, that we celebrate with the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril event.

As time has wound on this event has been honed down to two simple rules:

1. Have fun reading (and watching).
2. Share that fun with others.

My reading list (fingers crossed):
 

1) The Shining - Stephen King (I'll be attempting the novel and the movie!)

2) Broken Monsters - Lauren Beukes

3) The Secret Place - Tana French

4) The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson (The Estella Society is hosting a readalong.)

  So.. what will you be reading??

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A Review: She Rises by Kate Worsley

When I saw that this one was sporting a blurb by Sarah Waters on the cover I knew I had to read it!

Louise is a young dairy maid on a prosperous farm when she's chosen to become lady's maid for the master's niece far away in a seaside town. Her mother, wary of her daughter's proximity to the dangerous waters after losing a husband and a son to ship life, begrudgingly consents to her new task. Rebecca, the lady in question , is far different than anything Louise ever expected and threatens to change her life completely. While Louise takes to her new position, Luke, a young man, finds himself aboard a naval vessel with men that have been taken into the sea life by force. Faced with a new way of living, Luke must learn the ways of the pack quickly in order to survive. A gritty tale of sea life and its dangers, readers will feel like they stepped back in time.

First, let me say that I really enjoyed this novel despite having a few issues overall. It's official that I'm less fond of stories told in the style of alternating between two characters. It can really break up the story and make it a bit more confusing than a straight narrative. I also found I was much more taken with one narrative in the book than the other and had a harder time reading the chapters that weren't as engaging. However, each character had their own distinct voice which made this style successful in the end. I could see the similarities in the two writers' styles shortly after beginning the novel. While Waters has had far more time to perfect her craft, Worsley will not disappoint with this debut novel. Bits of dialogue reminded me very much of Waters's Fingersmith, and were at times a little too similar, but enjoyable nonetheless. All and all, it's a great novel that is perfect for those who enjoy detailed stories with multiple characters.

**Readers beware! There are some pretty distressing subjects in this book. While they aren't necessarily discussed in gory detail, subjects are strongly alluded to and could be distressing for some readers. 

Oh! and guess what?? TLC Book Tours is offering one lucky reader a copy of this beautiful book!

Enter below for a chance to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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A Review: Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

To think that I waited as long as I did to read this title makes me twitch a little. To think I might not have ever picked it up if it weren't for a couple of reviews I stumbled upon recently makes me worry. What could I potentially be missing out on? So many books!

Sue Trinder has led a quiet life of thieving in the sprawling and dirty streets of nineteenth century London. Ms. Sucksby, a mother figure to Sue, has managed to hold onto her for 17 years despite her occupation of farming infants and dealing with the crooked. When a man, only known as Gentleman, appears with a job that he believes only Sue will be able to complete, she recognizes her chance to be the prize Ms. Sucksby has always hoped she would be. A sinister plan to dupe the naive Maud Lilly, a lonely girl kept in a country house by her overbearing uncle, into accepting Sue as lady's maid, and eventually running off with the dashing Mr. Rivers (Gentleman himself) is soon underway. When the entire job seems to turn quite unexpectedly, readers are taken through madhouses in a world without regulations, the slums of London's back alleys and an unsympathetic period when you didn't know who you could trust.

I recently became acquainted with Sarah Waters this past fall when I completed The Little Stranger. The folks participating in the RIP Challenge had decided to create a readalong and I thought it seemed like something I could read around the same time and have some resources to review as well. Ok, so I admit that I never wrote a review. I enjoyed The Little Stranger for the strength of her writing, technically speaking. Waters can build an atmosphere, create distinct characters and force the reader to stumble through an intended confusion that seems unending (this is a compliment). However, her pacing, is another story. While The Little Stranger was creepy and perfectly haunted, it was really slow. The action is actually so slow in coming that you might miss it when it does because I'll admit that at times I zoned out while reading.

While the pacing is certainly a lot faster in Fingersmith, there are pieces that could probably have been edited and removed. There seems to be lulls in actions for 30 or more pages in order to let all the little details fall into place so that the whole story moves like one well-oiled machine. Basically, if you dig Wilkie Collins and his unending internal dialogue about watching a pin drop, you're going to love Fingersmith.

Ok, so that last bit sounded snarky and insincere. But I love Wilkie Collins and I loved Fingersmith. If you've read The Woman in White, expect the beginning to be essentially the same TWiW plot, but make it two ladies and a whole lot more deception.

It's after this point that things become really exciting. However, it's also the point where it seems a little dull even though it's imperative to the whole cohesion requisite. I want to talk about it so much more but don't want to spoil it because there are so many surprises that really make the novel stand out. I'll say, without giving it away, that I enjoyed the difference in romantic perspective, the questions raised about the ways in which women could live during this period, and the inability to determine the outcome until it was staring me in the face. My only issue was that some of the characters seemed to have the same voices. This irked me a bit, but didn't really take anything from the story in the long run.

The entire novel was a joy to read. I highly recommend it to anyone not afraid to tackle a real door stopper that's full of detail and big story. Waters is such a talented storyteller and I can't wait to read more of her work.

Read Fingersmith? Let me know what you think (please note spoilers for other readers)! Thinking about picking it up? Do it!!!

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A Review: Gillespie and I by Jane Harris

It's been a minute. Apologies. Thanksgiving was crazy. And then I had to deal with my birthday and then J's birthday and time spent in a cabin in the woods in the middle of nowhere without WIFI and phone service. We watched Cash Cab marathons, Rocky III and Ghost Adventures (I CAN'T EVEN). We played scrabble and microwaved s'mores and huddled next to the fake fire (which was oh so warm). It was AWESOME. I didn't want to come home, but here I am.

Gillespie and I is the story of Harriet Baxter's relationship with the Gillespie family, specifically, her relationship with Ned Gillespie, an aspiring artist who fails to receive the credit that Harriet feels he deserves. When Harriet manages to save Ned's mother from choking on her dentures one day on a crowded Glasgow street corner, she slowly forms a connection with the family and becomes a regular body in their household. When an event turns the family's life upside down, Harriet is there to witness the situation that will change everything.

I read Gillespie and I right before the celebrations began. If you remember, I think I've mentioned how excited I was to pick this one up in a million posts prior to this one. Let me just say that my fervor did not kill the experience. This book is one of my top reads of the year.

I've found (like so many others) that I have a much easier time reviewing books that I dislike rather than the ones I adore. I actually mentioned this a bit in my last post. However, with this one it's imperative to keep it short and sweet so you enjoy it just as much as I did. Really, to enjoy it thoroughly, you have to be open to anything.

First and foremost, I want to say that Harris blew me away with her characters - so vivid that I felt I knew them. The setting and cast were well developed making it a tight story with a big impact. While I didn't expect a story that would keep my guessing, I found I couldn't put it down in order to get to the next part. I wanted it to last forever but knew I'd reach the end and want more. Harriet's character is so very curious and found myself moving through emotions quickly.

If you're looking for a well-written novel, with some historical tidbits tossed in, that also keeps you guessing, you must find a copy of Gillespie and I now! I'm generally not so heavy handed with my reviews, so this is an indication of my confidence that you'll love it, too. If you don't... well, we can still be friends, but I'll be just a little sad. Hope you enjoy!

P.S. Happy Holidays!

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A Review: A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

I initially picked up A Study in Scarlet to work towards my 50 titles pledge for Classics Club, but also used it to help me complete my goal of Peril the First for the RIP VII Challenge. I was ashamed to admit that I had never experienced Sherlock in literary form and thought it had been long enough.

Sherlock Holmes is called to the scene when I man is found dead in an abandoned home. His body, left without wounds that imply violence, is sprawled beneath the word rache (or revenge in German) painted in blood on the wall. Watson, Holmes's new roommate, is along for the ride and relates the situation as it unfolds.

I had mixed feelings about this one. While I can definitely say that Doyle is a talented writer and certainly had the smarts to invent such a character, I found the sudden change in narrative and the long, detailed excerpts a bit taxing.

We first encounter Holmes when he's introduced to Watson through a friend. Despite repeated attempts from said friend to warn Watson of the peculiarities of his new acquaintance, Watson decides that the financial benefits outweigh any weirdness on Holmes's part, and in he moves. Friend disappears. Watson is then swept into the whirlwind that is Holmes's life. He indicates the numerous visitors of all different backgrounds, the fact that Holmes practically never takes a moment to relax (except for the moments when he lounges on the couch and stares at the wall for hours), and that Holmes can literally deduce practically anything about an individual within the first 60 seconds of interaction. When Watson, a wounded ex-soldier and doctor, decides to accompany Holmes on his newest case, he's blown away by his ability to pull together the events of the case faster than any member of Scotland Yard.

The crime was put together pretty well. Motive and details were consistent and plausible in the crime-novel sense. However, I can't note particular inconsistencies or flaws at the moment; although, I did notice them while reading. I would have to say that my biggest issue with the novel was the sudden jump from the then present situation with the case to the back story of the murderer. The move from Victorian London to the unruly expanse of the Wild West atmosphere of Utah is completely unexpected and clumsily included. Moreover, it's clear that Doyle opposed the Mormons because he certainly doesn't portray them in a positive light once we do finally understand where he's going. While I won't divulge what does occur in the scenes that build the murderer's motive, I will admit that this section was far more interesting than reading Watson's internal dialogue and watching Holmes flit around like a school boy.

I won't say I was incredibly impressed with this one. I've heard that this isn't the best of the series, so I won't swear them off forever. It was clever, but I just never felt really engaged. It took my nearly two weeks to complete despite the fact that it's a mere 150 pages (with illustrations)! If you enjoy smart crime novels that just happen to be classics, I'd say give it a go. I'd also encourage you to do so if you enjoyed the recent BBC series, because I thought it was a great adaptation and enjoyed comparing the two.

3 of 50 completed for the Classics Club

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A Challenge: RIP VII (It's Here!)

It's that time a year again and I cannot contain my excitement. See. I love the Fall. It's always been my favorite season for so many reasons. Sure the holidays are fun, and my birthday makes it a little more special, but it's the crisp air, the beautiful change in landscape and the autumn bounty that make it my favorite favorite. This challenge just adds to the goodness.

If you're new to the scene, the RIP VII "challenge" offers readers the opportunity to indulge in all the spooky titles they just don't feel right reading the rest of the year. I found it didn't take too long to put together a list since I've been saving a few for this occasion. I've decided to shoot for Peril the First.

Read four books, any length, that you feel fit (the very broad definitions) of R.I.P. literature. It could be King or Conan Doyle, Penny or Poe, Chandler or Collins, Lovecraft or Leroux…or anyone in between.

My (tentative) list:

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

Dracula by Bram Stoker

A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley

A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Pigeon Pie Mystery: A Novel by Julia Stuart

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Make sure to visit the site to sign up and link to your own RIP list!

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RIP VI Challenge - Count Me In

I'm back in the game.  I found this challenge via Brenna at Literary Musings.  Thanks, Brenna! As I was just starting a little mystery the day I happened to find it I felt I had to participate.  Because Atlanta has suddenly grown cool, and the clouds have decided to creep in, I'm feeling Fall already. Oh the anticipation... I had no problem choosing four titles to fulfill this pledge.

1- The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

I actually just finished this fun little mystery.  Nice way to kick things off... now to the darker bits.

2- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

I've never read an Agatha Christie novel; can you believe it?!?!

3- The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

My most anticipated novel in the challenge.  I've been wanting to read this since I finished  The Thirteenth Tale but just couldn't find the time.  No excuses!

4- The Likeness by Tana French

I've read the other two novels in the series... yes, I read the third novel before the first and have yet to read the second!  Shame on me.  But you can actually read these in any order without screwing with the story.  

*5- Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

 I might just try for five if I'm feeling like an overachiever.  Knowing me, I'll have loads to do before this deadline arrives and will have only just barely finished the list above, but I'm going to add this title just in case.  I've been eyeing this series for ages and finally picked up a used copy of the first book when I visited Powell's on vacation. 

Challenge lasts from September 1st to October 31st 

Who's excited with me?!  

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