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

I will 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.

The Barnes & Noble Review
The perils of the Baudelaire children continue unabated in The Ersatz Elevator, Book Six in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. These delightfully doomed siblings -- whose string of horrible luck began with a house fire that destroyed their belongings and left them orphaned -- continue their efforts to escape the clutches of their determinedly greedy and dastardly relative, Count Olaf.
After working their way through several potential guardians and surviving a boarding school debacle, the Baudelaire orphans -- 14-year-old Violet, 12-year-old Klaus, and baby Sunny -- are adopted by a wealthy couple who take them on primarily because orphans are currently considered "in" in a world that is highly subject to the dictates of fashion. When the children discover that their new guardians live in the penthouse suite at 667 Dark Avenue, they think maybe their luck is finally changing. But then they discover that the 71-bedroom apartment is on either the 48th or 84th floor, and because elevators aren't currently "in," they must climb the stairs to get there.

Then there's their new guardian, Esme Squalor, the city's sixth most important financial adviser and a cold, haughty woman whose primary concern is staying in vogue. Her husband, Jerome, is kindhearted and caring, but his determination to avoid an argument makes him a poor ally for the children. And of course there's yet another visit from the dreaded Count Olaf and his gang of cronies, who kidnapped the Baudelaire's only friends, the two Quagmire triplets, in the last book.

The humor in these tales is sly and dark and the action occasionally violent, but the slapstick silliness helps to keep the events safely nonthreatening. This time out, the fun factor is heightened by the addition of some puzzle-solving elements, as well as a few more hints about the author's life and the fate of the mysterious Beatrice. (Beth Amos)


Annotation
The woeful saga of the Baudelaire orphans continues as evil Count Olaf discovers their whereabouts at Esmâe Squalor's seventy-one bedroom penthouse and concocts a new plan for stealing their family fortune.

From the Publisher
In their most daring misadventure, the Baudelaire orphans are adopted by very, very rich people, whose penthouse apartment is located mysteriously close to the place where all their misfortune began. Even though their new home in the city is fancy, and the children are clever and charming, I'm sorry to say that still, the unlucky orphans will encounter more disaster and woe. In fact, in this sixth book in A Series of Unfortunate Events, the children will experience a darkened staircase, a red herring, an auction, parsley soda, some friends in a dire situation, a secret passageway, and pinstripe suits.
Both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted, A Series of Unfortunate Events offers an exquisitely dark comedy in the tradition of Edward Gorey and Roald Dahl. Lemony Snicket's uproariously unhappy books continue to win readers, despite all his warning.


About the Authors:
Lemony Snicket was born before you were and is likely to die before you as well. A studied expert in rhetorical analysis, Mr. Snicket has spent the last several eras researching the travails of the Baudelaire orphans. His findings are being published serially by HarperCollins.

Brett Helquist was born in Ganado, AZ, grew up in Orem, UT, and now lives in New York City. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from Brigham Young University and has been illustrating ever since. His art has appeared in many publications, including Cricket magazine and The New York Times.
 

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

The Baudelaires' new guardians are Jerome and Esme. Jerome seems rather nice but doesn't want to argue with anyone. Esme only cares about what is "in".

Will the Baudelaires' find the Quagmire triplets?

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 release over my lunch hour on friday 

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, February 18, 2007

JE by heartsong2's son:
I thought it was kinda freaky when Esme pushed the children down the elevator shaft. The children landed in a net and Sunny crawled back up the elevator shaft with her teeth! I thought that was strange! 

Journal Entry 6 by heartsong2 on Sunday, February 18, 2007

Again, these poor children. I too thought the scene with Sunny toothing back up the elevator shaft was quite memorable. Also, the cafe Salmonella kept cracking me up. I love the way they stick adult humor in children's things. Sesame Street always did it, and Sunny's expressions have that from time to time which are pretty funny.

My son and I read #8 about a year ago, and it's the only one we'd read until now, but we're both starting to notice connections now. 

Journal Entry 7 by missprisy from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA on Wednesday, February 28, 2007

I've received three other bookrings this week. I will read book 6 & 7 as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 8 by missprisy from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA on Sunday, March 04, 2007

Journal Entry 9 by TaleofGenji from North Jersey, New Jersey USA on Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Received today, will start as soon as done with Book 5. 

Journal Entry 10 by TaleofGenji from North Jersey, New Jersey USA on Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Wow! Just when things start to look up...These poor kids! Sending on its way tomorrow! Starting the next one today! 

Journal Entry 11 by collectorkerri from Springfield, Illinois USA on Monday, April 16, 2007

Received today. Will read ASAP. 

Journal Entry 12 by collectorkerri from Springfield, Illinois USA on Monday, April 30, 2007

I didn't like this one as much as some of the others in the series. Esme was an ice princess who reminded me of the mother in The Nanny Diaries who seemed to regard her children as accessories, and Jerome was just annoying. I did like the fact that the books seem to be more tied together now, as the Quagmire triplets' fate is still intertwined with the Baudelaires' and has not yet been resolved. Before, the books seemed more able to stand on their own.

Sent to katintheboots today. 

Journal Entry 13 by katintheboots from Ventura, California USA on Monday, May 07, 2007

I found this on my doorstep when I got home this evening. I'll read this after I finish the fifth book. 

Journal Entry 14 by katintheboots from Ventura, California USA on Sunday, May 20, 2007

I've enjoyed how this book and book five are finally starting to pull the series together as a whole. It was sad, however, that when the children finally got a guardian who actually cared about them and wasn't killed by Olaf, he didn't have the gumption to stick up for himself or the kids.

I'll ship this off to Luintaurien this week with book five. 

Journal Entry 15 by katintheboots from Ventura, California USA on Monday, May 21, 2007

I sent this to Luintaurien via media mail today on my lunch break.

DC# 0305 0830 0001 9481 4464

5/27/07, Edited to add:

From the USPS:
"Label/Receipt Number: 0305 0830 0001 9481 4464
Status: Delivered
Your item was delivered at 1:34 PM on May 25, 2007 in YORK, NE 68467." 

Journal Entry 16 by Luintaurien from York, Nebraska USA on Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Got it today. Thank you. Will read and pass on ASAP. 

Journal Entry 17 by lostbookisland on Sunday, September 23, 2007