Fall is definitely in the air here on the Connecticut Shoreline. As of September 1st the temperature dropped, the humidity has changed its tone, and even the wind feels (and sounds) different. I’m so happy fall is on the way. I enjoy summer for many reasons, but the high temperatures and humidity are not appreciated.

But I digress.

I’m here today to talk about the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril XII Challenge (#RIPXII). This is an annual reading event now in its 12th year. Started by Karl who blogs at Stainless Steel Droppings, this year it is hosted by Andi (Estella’s Revenge) and Heather (My Capricious Life). From September 1st through October 31st participants celebrate the deliciousness that is horror, paranormal, mystery, dark fantasy, and more. Basically, the dark and creepy genres that go hand-in-hand with autumn.

I usually read some horror, particularly Dracula related books, in October. This will be my first time participating in RIP and I’m really looking forward to seeing what everyone will be reading.

BOOKS

Here are the books that I’ve been collecting for fall reading:

• The Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula by Bram Stoker and Valdimar Asmundsson (1900), translated from the Icelandic by Hans Corneel De Roos, from The Overlook Press. This book is a definite! It’s not coming out until February 2018, but publisher graciously sent me a copy. Here’s a link to learn more about this book. To say that I’m excited about reading this is a gross understatement.
• Ramses The Damned: The Passion of Cleopatra by Anne Rice and Christopher Rice, from Anchor Books. This is an advance reader copy that I picked up at Book Expo earlier this year. I loved Anne’s Interview with the Vampire and have read a couple of Christopher’s novels, so I thought I’d give it a shot. The release date is November 21, 2017.
• From the Wreck by Jane Rawson, from Transit Lounge. I heard about this Australian book on BookLover Book Reviews. It’s one of Jo’s top reads of the year, and involves a ship wreck, haunted memories, and a woman from another dimension. I couldn’t resist. Thanks to the publisher for sending a review copy.
• The Book of Love and Hate by Lauren Sanders, from Akashic Books. I’ve developed quite the crush on Akashic Books since reading New Haven Noir earlier this summer and South Haven by Hirsh Sawhney before that. This is a mystery/thriller involving “government agents, fake Orthodox Jews, [and] queer Palestinians.” Piqued my interest. Release date October 3, 2107.
• Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco, from Little, Brown. Another book I picked up at Book Expo. It’s a “James Patterson Presents” book (not sure how I feel about that — makes me think the book could go either way). Listed as young adult. Onsale date: September 19, 2017.
• Fatal Crossing by Lone Theils, translated from the Danish by Charlotte Barslund, from Arcadia Books (UK). This is another book I heard about via BookLover Book Reviews and I ordered a copy from the Book Depository. Two girls go missing from a ship in 1985 and years later an investigative journalist gets caught up in the case.

From the library I have:

• Look What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt, from Atlantic Monthly Press. A novel about Lizzie Borden.
• Fat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story by Adam Rex, from Balzer + Bray. A 15-year-old fat kid is attacked by a vampire. Billed as a humorous satire on the sexy, romantic teenage vampire sub-genre.

Oh! And not pictured, I just remembered I have the mystery/thriller The Dry by Jane Harper to read. I read a review of it in Bookpage earlier this year and it’s been sitting on my shelf waiting to be read for the Australian Women Writers Challenge.

That’s nine books. There’s a chance I can read these in two months. Although, realistically, I’m imagining reading these into November.

MOVIES

I also plan on watching a few movies:

• Nosferatu — Never saw it, although I started it once upon a time and just wasn’t in the mood for it. It’s a 1929 silent film.
• Bram Stoker’s Dracula by Coppola — Hated it when it first came out in 1992. Characters and storylines are added to Stoker’s tale, which annoyed me because that made it decidedly NOT Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
• Dracula — The classic 1931 Bela Lugosi version has been my favorite Dracula movie since childhood. It’s been several years since I watched it.
• IT — The new Stephen King movie. I had wanted to read the book and bought a copy this summer, but based on everything else I want to read in the next two months, I don’t think I’ll get to it anytime soon.

Rules

There are only two rules to this reading event:

1. Have fun reading.
2. Share that fun with others.

So I’ll do my best to actually write about the books I read. We’ll see! Some big work and life projects have often converged this year to keep my book blogging on the back burner, so fingers crossed.

There are also various levels participants can aim for and I’m going for Peril The First, which is to read four books. If I read half of my list above, I’ll hit the mark.

To sign up and/or visit other participating bloggers, visit Andi (Estella’s Revenge) and/or Heather (My Capricious Life).

What creep-tastic books are you reading this fall?

Happy Reading!

Bwaaah-Haha!