Young Adult

Background

Book 10 in The Series of Unfortunate Events is The Slippery Slope. The orphans are trying to get their littlest sister back from the clutches of the evil Count Olaf. This time, they are in the snowy mountains and have help from someone they thought was dead.

My Thoughts

I had to jump a few books as this is the only one available after The Ersatz Elevator. There has been a lot that seemed to happen in the meantime. We learned more about BFV and Count Olaf has successfully kidnapped Sunny. It feels like we are building toward some closure though I’m sure it is a while off.

Recommendation

Still enjoyable

Background

The Ersatz Elevator is the 6th book in Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events. In this book, the orphans or given to an overly agreeable guardian whose very “in” wife as a big secret.

My Thoughts

The sixth book has roughly the same elements as the others. The orphans are mistreated by adults who are clueless and Count Olaf isn’t too far away. However, it is still fun to read. The style of the books are light-hearted and clever. It also doesn’t hurt that Tim Curry is reading them.

Recommendation

I enjoyed it.

Background

Book three of the series of unfortunate events “The Wide Window” was written in 2000 following “The Reptile Room” and “The Bad Beginning“.

This time around Count Olaf dresses as “Captain Sham” who bullies the children’s new guardian into giving the kids over for adoption.

My Thoughts

This book went by fast. The genre of “absurdest fiction”, which I’ve seen these books placed, isn’t something with which I have much experience. I like the style of the books and do enjoy them.

Recommendation

It’s worth the read.

Background

The Miserable Mill is book four in the Series of Unfortunate Events from Lemony Snicket. The book, released in 2004, details the events of the Baudelaire orphans as they are passed to another foster home. This time they are required to work at a wood mill while all the time being stalked by the dreaded Count Olaf.

My Thoughts

Another interesting read. I have to admit, these books are fun to read and I want to watch the Netflix versions with my kids. Neil Patrick Harris would be a great Count Olaf. Of course, the books are pretty well patterned at this point. It’s just a matter of how ridiculous are the adults going to act and how quickly will Count Olaf show up.

Recommendations

It’s still worth reading these books in order. However, they are worth the read.

Background

The Bad Beginning is just that. A bad beginning. It starts with a fire and 3 newly orphaned children. They inherited a fortune and one man is out to get it. Count Olaf.

Written in 1999, The Bad Beginning is the first book of the “Series of Unfortunate Events” which is now appearing on Netflix.

My Thoughts

This story went down fast and was enjoyable. The plot is fairly transparent and it reads as an aid to children’s vocabulary.

It was also fun!

Recommendation

Read it for fun or read it to a child if you’ve forgotten how to have fun.

Background

A 1956 children’s novel written by Fred Gipson about a young family in 1860s Texas. It is the classic tale which has been remade by Disney a year later.

My Thoughts

I hadn’t ever seen Old Yeller but knew of the ending by watching the movie “Stripes” when Bill Murray gives his inspirational speech bringing their troop together.

I also didn’t know the book was written in the 1950s. I thought it was older as it was set in the 1860s. I remember thinking that a lot of the attitudes toward kids have certainly changed in the years past. Physically discipline has pretty much gone by the way side these days. However, such was not the case in the book. As we are getting closer to another hundred years past, I wonder what else will have changed…

Recommendation

I really liked it. My guess was the book was better than the movie but I will have to see the movie to know.