Amelia's Book Room: A Series Of Unfortunate Events

There may be times when you think you’re pretty unfortunate—got low grades, got in trouble, stuff like that—but you definitely have it a lot better than the Baudelaires.

Their lives weren’t always like this, not at all; they lived in a large mansion with a library, with their parents, whom they loved very much. It all goes sour when their home is suddenly burned down, killing their parents, and leaving 14-year-old Violet, 12-year-old Klaus, and their baby sister, Sunny, orphans.

Mr. Poe, a banker, sends them to live with a supposed distant relative, Count Olaf. Olaf, however, only has one intention: to get a hold of the Baudelaire’s fortune, and will do whatever it takes to get it.

The Baudelaire orphans are clever children, though. Violet, a budding inventor, makes devices to help with unpleasant situations, and Klaus, a book lover, remembers all sorts of useful things to get them out of jams. Of course, we can’t forget Sunny’s four unusually large and sharp teeth!

Lemony Snicket has a unique and fun way of telling a darkly humorous tale. A Series Of Unfortunate Events definitely helped expand my vocabulary; Snicket provides definitions of the longer and more unusual words he uses. You’ll definitely enjoy this unfortunate tale, though the author constantly cautions you to stop reading due to weeping!

The beginning is, of course, The Bad Beginning, and the series continues in The Reptile Room. There is a 2004 movie starring Jim Carrey, Emily Browning, Liam Aiken, and Jude Law.

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving; I had a quiet dinner at home with my parents, sister, her boyfriend, and my adorable 3-year-old niece. This week, though, I’m terribly busy with rehearsals for a ballet I’ll be performing in this weekend, The Nutcracker! I will be a soldier and a garland in the Waltz of the Flowers. Happy holidays, everyone, and wish me luck!