R.I.P. X

Artwork by Abigail Larson

It's that time of year again! I have been looking forward to starting the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril X challenge (R.I.P. X), as I really love reading spooky novels and watching scary movies during the Autumn season in September and October. Normally, this event is hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings, but this year he has passed the torch onto The Estella Society. R.I.P. never fails to get me in the Halloween spirit (my favorite holiday of the year, FYI), so no matter the host, I am in!

This post is where I will keep track of my goals and progress, and I will be updating it periodically throughout the course of the event. Keep in mind that this challenge isn't just limited to Halloween/Horror, but also includes Mystery, Suspense, Gothic, Dark Fantasy, Supernatural, and pretty much anything that gives off a similar vibe. R.I.P X will officially run from September 1st - October 31st, so if you'd like to join in the fun, please do so!

"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."

Goal: Read At Least 4 Spooky (or Monster-y) Novels

1) Here They Lie by D.K. Burrow

2) Chasing The Moon by A. Lee Martinez
3)
4)

"I am a big fan of short stories and my desire for them is perhaps no greater than in Autumn. I see Poe and Lovecraft in my future for sure, and some Angela Carter. You can read short stories any time during the challenge."

Goal: Read At Least 3 Creepy Short Stories

1)
2)
3)

"This is for those of us that like to watch suitably scary, eerie, mysterious gothic fare during this time of year. It may be something on the small screen or large. It might be a television show, like Dark Shadows or Midsomer Murders, or your favorite film."

Goal: Watch At Least 10 Horror Films

1) The Mist (2007)

2) Altar (2014)
3) Psycho (1960)
4) Tremors 5: Bloodlines (2015)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)

And as always, if any of you know if there are any other reading challenges going on this month that are Halloween-related, please let me know so I can check them out!

{Bingo!} Horror Reading Card

It seems that Tanya @ Girlxoxo.com has created a Horror Reading Card (inspired by the BINGO cards done by Stormy @ book.blog.bake) for this Halloween season. This isn't a competition, and there are no rewards, so I've decided I might as well give it a go - it sounds like fun! October is already almost half over, and sadly, I've only read two books, so I'm not gonna stress myself out over trying to compete for anything. Instead, I'll see how many of these I can mark off, and hopefully shoot for a regular ol' BINGO. Maybe I'll aim for completing row four. I'll list the books I read underneath the card once I complete them.

Creepy Cover

Small Town

My Zombie Apocalypse Survival Kit & Crew

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So, I was wandering around the blogosphere, randomly clicking on event links in an effort to discover new blogs (which, by the way, is a GREAT way to discover blogs), when I discovered this awesome event! Hosted by Jackie @ Bouquet of Books, Dani @ Entertaining Interests, and Mina @ Some Dark Romantic, Zombie Apocalypse: Survival Kit & Crew is an event that was created to celebrate premiere of the new season of The Walking Dead on AMC October 12th. Basically, bloggers must post their ideal crew & survival necessities based on the given categories. 

What makes it difficult is that you can only choose one person or item per given category, so you really need to choose wisely. After much careful thought, I have decided on the following:

*Items you already have on your person: undergarments, a shirt, bottoms, socks, tennis shoes, and a backpack

A Character from The Walking Dead

Daryl Dixon

Because he's Daryl Dixon, DUH!

A Character from a Book

Katniss Everdeen
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Katniss is an amazing shot with a bow and arrow, making her an excellent stealth fighter - when killing zombies, it's always better to be quiet so as not to attract the attention of even more zombies. Plus, she's a survivor.

A Character from a Movie

John McClane
Die Hard

John McClane is a complete badass, and he's also really great at getting himself out of dire situations. What's more - he's trustworthy, which would mean a lot during a zombie apocalypse. You'll always need someone who's got your back.

A Character from a Television Show

The 10th Doctor
Doctor Who

Because he's clever. And, TARDIS or not, if you ever find yourself needing to make a near-impossible escape, this is the guy/alien you'd want by your side.

A Loved One

My Brother Martin

Because it's always good to have a paramedic around.

A Friend

My friend Olga

Because I would miss our conversations. And I'd need someone to keep me sane.

A Freebie

Dean Winchester

Pfffttt....like I was really gonna leave him out of this? Dean Winchester can kick some major ass, and he's insanely loyal.

1 Comfort Item
Space Blanket
It can prevent hypothermia, be used for warmth or insulation, become a makeshift waterproof bag, or reflect the sun to create a signal for other survivors.

1 Weapon
Crowbar
An all-in-one weapon. It's light, efficient, and can be used to both bash-in zombie brains and pry open doors.

1 Luxury Item
A 3L Bottle of Jack
Might as well go big...it can be used as a disinfectant, but I can also drink it. So yes.

1 Food Item
Soylent
It provides complete nutrition, which would be a rare thing in a world where you'd pretty much have to take what you can get when it comes to food.

1 Medicine/First Aid Item
Penicillin
Because why would I wanna make it through a zombie apocalypse only to die from a stupid wound infection?!

1 Hygiene Item
Hand Sanitizer
A simple and effective way to kill germs without having to waste my water supply.

1 Freebie
LifeSaver Water Bottle
Because water is a precious resource, and this would be one of the best ways of converting water sources you normally wouldn't touch with a ten-foot-pole into viable drinking reservoirs.

Outpost
A small town somewhere in the middle of Texas, because Texas is bad-ass. And it'll be easier to find guns and ammo.

Outbreak
It probably started in China. Because why not? China is effing huge. Plus, the large population combined with globalization would ensure that the virus spreads quickly and efficiently. It's everywhere now.

Cause
I'm gonna say it'll probably be because of the money-hungry pharmaceutical industry. And bad hygiene. I can easily imagine some poor rotting corpse, pumped full of who knows what kind of drugs, causing some unsuspecting scavenger munching off of it (a rat, wild dog, etc.) to become a host to some freaky new strain of virus, that leads to re-animated (and hungry!) corpses once it mutates and carries over into humans.

Cure (if applicable)
Nope, there isn't one. The zombies may eventually rot away to extinction, but you'd have to survive long enough to see it happen. Sorry humanity, you did this to yourselves. Greedy bastards.

1 Item You NEED To Find
A silencer, because it would minimize the amount of nearby walkers that would hear you on that zombie killing spree you go on once you find some guns.

1 Item You WANT To Find
A cure. But you won't find it, because as I said, there isn't one. Sorry. You could continue to hope, though.

Method of Travel

Anything and everything...car, horse, feet, motorcycle, boat...it would depend on the situation, but I'd be inclined to use any and all available resources.

R.I.P. IX

Guys, it's almost October!!! October is my favorite month of all time, thanks to the fact that not only are there the regular fall favorites (pumpkin spice lattes, fall leaves, cooler weather, etc.), but spooky things to do all month long thanks to Halloween! And yes, Halloween is my favorite holiday - I just love the atmosphere, the costumes, the haunted houses, and the scary movies!

As a kid, I used to start off October by indulging in Goosebumps novels while counting down the days until ABC Family's The 13 Nights of Halloween. Things haven't much changed for me since then, but instead of Goosebumps I now read regular YA & Adult horror/mystery novels, and I also have fun trying to find the latest and greatest scary movies.

It seemed only natural that I participate in a challenge that not only aided my love of reading, but of scary movies & television shows, as well. Thus, R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril IX seemed like the perfect challenge for me. I participated last year, and had some fun, so I knew it was something I'd want to do again. I like the fact that there are different categories for different mediums - it's a great way to keep track of what I read and watch! 

Check out my goals for this challenge below - since I've signed up earlier than I did last year, I plan on going all out and immersing myself in all things that go bump in the night. I've filled in some goals for what I'd like to read & watch, but as always, they aren't set in stone and are subject to change based on my whims, I'll cross things off if I complete them, though. Wish me luck!

"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."

Goal: Read At Least 4 Spooky Novels

1) Say Her Name by James Dawson
2) Afraid by Jack Kilborn
3) It by Stephen King

4) Bird Box by Josh Malerman

"This is for those of us that like to watch suitably scary, eerie, mysterious gothic fare during this time of year. It may be something on the small screen or large. It might be a television show, like Dark Shadows or Midsomer Murders, or your favorite film."

Goal: Watch At Least 5 Scary Movies

1) 인형사 | The Doll Master (2004)

2) The Possession (2012)

3) The Purge (2013)

4) The Purge: Anarchy (2014)

5) Carrie (2013)

And if any of you know if there are any other reading challenges going on this month that are Halloween-related, please let me know so I can check them out!