Journal Entry 1 by NMReader from Herndon, Virginia USA on Saturday, December 30, 2006

I read this book once before but I wanted to re-read before I start A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket book spiral.

The books are quick reads and written such that both adults and children can enjoy.

From Our Editors
The three unluckiest children in the world and their greedy relative, Count Olaf, return for another misfortunate adventure in The Reptile Room, the second book in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. The Baudelaire children survived their first encounter with the dastardly and scheming Olaf, but the Count doesn't give up easily. Nor does the Baudelaire luck ever seem to improve.
At first it seems as if 14-year-old Violet, 12-year-old Klaus, and their baby sister, Sunny, have finally had a turn of good luck when they meet their newest guardian. Dr. Montgomery, or Uncle Monty as he prefers to be called, is a herpetologist. One whole room in his house is filled with snakes of all kinds, including some very deadly specimens. But despite his slithery interests, Uncle Monty is a fun-loving and generous caretaker who treats the Baudelaire orphans with love, respect, and kindness. But as anyone who's read the first book in this series knows, good fortune won't stay long with the Baudelaires. For starters Count Olaf returns, disguised in a manner that doesn't fool the kids for a minute -- though they can't seem to convince any adults. Then Uncle Monty dies (supposedly after being bitten by one of his highly poisonous snakes) although the kids are convinced he was murdered by Olaf. And of course, Olaf and his sideshow cronies have dreamed up yet another plan to get their hands on the Baudelaire fortune.

The plot has holes big enough to drive a truck through and more than a few contrivances come into play. Nonetheless, there is something irresistibly alluring about all the bad luck and mayhem that befalls these fast-thinking children, who use their inventiveness, book smarts, and bite-ability to survive. Equally engaging is the mysterious narrator, Snicket, who taunts, tempts, and teases his way through the tale, revealing intriguing snippets of his own life and providing an ongoing lesson in the nuances of language. (Beth Amos)


From the Publisher
Within the pages of this novel, readers will discover one of the books upon which the movie Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is based: The Reptile Room. Like the movie, this book tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children, who despite being pleasant lead unpleasant lives. From the very beginning of this volume, when the children are driving down a bad-smelling road toward a house full of mysterious beasts, continuing on to the last page of this distressing story, disaster lurks at their heels. Unlike the movie, however, this book does not contain moving pictures.

Count Olaf is not only smart, he is also intelligent. A renowned, talented, and handsome actor, he certainly could have his choice of any number of interesting careers, including a herpetologist's assistant, but as the saying goes, "nothing pays like crime." Watch out for the name "Count Olaf" everywhere.

P.S. He is also very good-looking.


About the Author:


Lemony Snicket was born before you were, and is likely to die before you as well. His family has roots in a part of the country which is now underwater, and his childhood was spent in the relative splendor of the Snicket Villa which has since become a factory, a fortress and a pharmacy and is now, alas, someone else's villa.

To the untrained eye, Mr. Snicket's hometown would not appear to be filled with secrets. Untrained eyes have been wrong before. The aftermath of the scandal was swift, brutal and inaccurately reported in the periodicals of the day. It is true, however, that Mr. Snicket was stripped of several awards by the reigning authorities, including Honorable Mention, the Grey Ribbon and First Runner Up. The High Council reached a convenient if questionable verdict and Mr. Snicket found himself in exile.

Though his formal training was chiefly in rhetorical analysis, he has spent the last several eras researching the travails of the Baudelaire orphans. This project, being published serially by HarperCollins, takes him to the scenes of numerous crimes, often during the off-season. Eternally pursued and insatiably inquisitive, a hermit and a nomad, Mr. Snicket wishes you nothing but the best.
 

Journal Entry 2 by NMReader from Herndon, Virginia USA on Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Poor Uncle Monty - killed by a snake bite or was he?

Count Olaf shows up to try and get his hands on their fortune once again.

Quick read. This is being released as part of the Celebrate Life Challenge. This is in celebration of the children in my life. 

Journal Entry 3 by NMReader at Post Office in by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (1/19/2007 UTC) at Post Office in by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

I will be shipping to heartsong2 on Friday at lunch time

Left on the list to read
Luintaurien
bigcurlyloz
AnglersRest
cross-patch
Mary-T
ladybug74 

Journal Entry 4 by heartsong2 on Thursday, January 25, 2007

Arrived today! Thank you! This will be fun! 

Journal Entry 5 by heartsong2 on Sunday, January 28, 2007

JE is by heartsong2's son NS:

I think it would be really cool to live with Uncle Monty. His real name is Montgomery Montgomery! But of course I can't really live with him because, well, you'll have to read and see! 

Journal Entry 6 by heartsong2 on Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Well this one wasn't quite so sarcastically funny, it was actually very sad! I started to wonder if my son will be ok reading this, but he seems to be doing fine--I'm sure there's lots of other things he reads that I'd be surprised to know about! When I mention to people that we are reading these together they get think it's a really cool idea.

So!

On to book #3! He's just finished with that one tonight so he'll be on to #4 by breakfast time tomorrow I'm sure! I have another bookray book that came the other day, but I think it's going to be awhile before we pause on the Lemony Snicket! We're pretty much going great guns here! 

Journal Entry 7 by heartsong2 on Saturday, February 03, 2007

Posted to missprisy this am!

Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 8 by missprisy from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA on Thursday, February 08, 2007

Arrived today, I'm excited to be apart of this bookspiral. 

Journal Entry 9 by missprisy from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA on Sunday, February 11, 2007

Journal Entry 10 by TaleofGenji from North Jersey, New Jersey USA on Saturday, February 17, 2007

Arrived today! Looking forward to my first book spiral! 

Journal Entry 11 by TaleofGenji from North Jersey, New Jersey USA on Saturday, February 24, 2007

Now I'm hooked! Can't wait for book 3. Everything about this from the author's writing style to the story line has grown on me. I can't wait to see what evil plans Count Olaf tries to pull off in the next book. I'm just waiting for the next person's address and the books will be on their way. 

Journal Entry 12 by TaleofGenji from North Jersey, New Jersey USA on Sunday, February 25, 2007

Putting in the mail Monday! Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 13 by collectorkerri from Springfield, Illinois USA on Sunday, March 04, 2007

Received yesterday. Will read ASAP. 

Journal Entry 14 by collectorkerri from Springfield, Illinois USA on Tuesday, April 03, 2007

I liked this one slightly better than the first book in the series, mostly because I liked the Uncle Monty character. These kids really are unfortunate! I look forward to the rest of the series.

Sent on to the next reader today. 

Journal Entry 15 by katintheboots from Ventura, California USA on Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Today has been an interesting day for me, with both some disheartening and good news. As I walked to the mailbox this evening, I was wishing that I'd have a little BC package waiting for me. And I did! Nothing like a little BC pick-me-up to make my day.

I'll start reading this book after I finish the first in the series. 

Journal Entry 16 by katintheboots from Ventura, California USA on Saturday, April 14, 2007

I finished this today while waiting for FedEx to deliver a package that still hasn't arrived. I agree with previous readers that this book is surprisingly sad for a children's book, though it is aimed at children 10 and over.

I PMed Luintaurien for an address after I finished the first book, but haven't heard back yet. As soon as I get an address, I'll ship these two books. 

Journal Entry 17 by katintheboots from Ventura, California USA on Monday, April 23, 2007

It took me a little longer than planned to get to the post office, but I sent this to Luintaurien this evening via media mail.

DC #: 0306 0320 0003 6820 6627 

Journal Entry 18 by Luintaurien from York, Nebraska USA on Friday, April 27, 2007

Got this today. Will read and pass on ASAP. Have 1 book before it (Danielle Steele) that I am half done with. 

Journal Entry 19 by Luintaurien from York, Nebraska USA on Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Great book. I really enjoyed it. Will send out as soon as I get the next address. 

Journal Entry 20 by lostbookisland on Sunday, September 23, 2007