R.I.P. XII (Readers Imbibing Peril XII)

I was excited to see the sign-up announcements for this year’s R.I.P Challenge, hosted by Andi at Estella’s Revenge and Heather at My Capricious Life.  I participated for the first time last year and really enjoyed it.  It’s a very low-stakes, easy-going reading challenge, which I’ve discovered is the best kind for me to try!  There are multiple levels of involvement to choose from, with the only “requirements” being “have fun reading and share that fun with others.”

What is R.I.P.?  Basically it’s reading (or watching – there’s a movie/television option) material suited to the autumn/Halloween season.  Mysteries, thrillers, Gothic, paranormal, creepy, ghostly, weird… there are many different directions this can go!  Last year I read two books:  Shirley Jackson’s The Sundial and Helen Oyeyemi’s White Is For Witching.  Both were terrific!

I’m again choosing the “Peril The Second” option, which means reading two books which fit the style.  I’m going full-on Gothic this year. My first was a no-brainer, a classic book I’ve been meaning to read FOREVAH… Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.  It’s one of those inexplicable gaps in my reading and I’m going to finally fill it!  My second choice was inspired by a post by the lovely and hilarious Valancy at Blue Castle Considerations.  She recently wrote about a Barbara Michaels book, The Master of Black Tower, and it reminded me how much I used to enjoy reading her in high school.  So I’ve decided to pick Be Buried In The Rain, which sounds suitably Gothic and sinister.  It’s quite possible I’ve read this one in high school already, but I’ve slept since then, you know, so it’ll be like brand-new to me!

I’ve just got to read and review these titles before October 31.  Are you participating in this year’s R.I.P. Challenge?  Have you read any of my previous picks or my choices for this year?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments!