Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Fitting category (CBR12Bingo 2: Repeat – Money)

The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket

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You guys, even I’m getting tired of my Series of Unfortunate Events reviews. I don’t think there’s too much left to say about the books as they are very much all of a kind, and unlike the wonderful, authorless Harry Potter books, they don’t increase in complexity or thematic depth with their readers. It’s the same damn book over again: Baudelaire orphans meet their new home and a new variety of inept adult, find Count Olaf behind a disguise along with one or more of […]

I’m waiting for the Baudelaires to meet the One Trick Pony (CBR12Bingo 2: No Money)

The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket

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Ya’ll, I’m kind of glad this was my “No Money” square because I think I’d be irritated if I spent actual money on this book. Might be my second least favorite of the series, but I found a pile of these at Goodwill for a dollar, and then used loyalty points to get them for free. I had to buy #1 because there were 2-6 present, so of course I’d pay for the one I liked the least. We’re dealing with a pretty predictable pattern […]

I’m honestly curious… (CBR12Bingo 2 – Adaptation)

The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket

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I’ve gone on at length about how I find much of the stylistic elements of the Series of Unfortunate Events books irritating – the interruption of the text to define words in particular – so it seems like the ideal book to adapt. The gothic stylings of the story, sets, and trappings of the Baudelaire orphan stories all are right up my alley, but I don’t like kids being talked down to – children’s books don’t have to explain everything to them once they’re past […]

The root of all evil (CBR12Bingo 2: Money)

The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket

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Well, I liked this book quite a bit more than the first one, but given that it doesn’t revolve around a guardian attempting to marry his barely teenaged ward against her will, anything would be an upgrade. Since Count Olaf has now been unmasked as dastardly, the Baudelaire orphans have been placed with their uncle Monty, a reptile enthusiast with a menagerie of snakes and lizards, including the harmless Incredibly Deadly Viper, named as a joke. Since the placement is happy and Uncle Monty is […]

A dark and witty novel about teenage alienation, strained relationships and the allure of the outlaw life.

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Piracy used to conjure up visions of rabid men roaming the dark seas, festooned with tattoos and covered in facial hair. Now it’s more likely to bring up images of overweight young men sitting in basements in front of glowing computer screens. From Blackbeard to Neckbeard, if you will. Lemony Snicket author Daniel Handler throws the older, vicious idea of the roving corsair into the modern day in this strange look at teenage angst and the life of an outsider. 14-year-old Gwen is angry. Angry […]



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