Dear Reader, There's nothing but misery and despair in Lemony Snickets' "A Series of Unfortunate Events." You still have time to choose another international bestselling series. But if you insist on exploring the unpleasant adventures of the Baudelaire orphans, proceed with caution. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent children. They are charming, resourceful, and have pleasant features. Unfortunately, they are exceptionally unhappy. In "The Bad Beginning," the sisters and brothers encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, uncomfortable clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast. In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, this exquisitely dark comedy presents itself as both literary and irreverent, hilarious and skillfully crafted. Despite its unfortunate subject matter, "A Series of Unfortunate Events" has sold 60 million copies worldwide and has been adapted into a Hollywood film starring Jim Carrey. Things are about to get even worse in the future, thanks to the upcoming Netflix series starring Neil Patrick Harris. You have been warned. Are you unlucky enough to own all 13 adventures? 'The Bad Beginning', 'The Reptile Room', 'The Wide Window', 'The Miserable Mill', 'The Austere Academy', 'The Ersatz Elevator', 'The Vile Village', 'The Hostile Hospital', 'The Carnivorous Carnival', 'The Slippery Slope', 'The Grim Grotto', 'The Penultimate Peril', 'The End'. And as for 'All the Wrong Questions'? In this four-part series, 13-year-old Lemony describes his perilous and puzzling apprenticeship in a mysterious organization no one knows about: 'Who Could That Be at This Hour?', 'When Did You Last See Her?', 'Shouldn't You Be in School?', 'Why Is This Night Different from All Other Nights?'. Lemony Snicket was born before you, and will probably die before you. He was born in a small town where the inhabitants were suspicious and prone to rebellion. He grew up by the sea and currently lives below it. Until recently, he lived elsewhere. Brett Helquist was born in Ganado, Arizona, grew up in Orem, Utah, 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 illustrations have appeared in numerous publications, including Cricket magazine and The New York Times.